> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.snaply.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started

> Get started with Snaply on your Mac: install the app, grant permissions, and set up dictation, Writing Assistant, and Meeting Notes in minutes.

**The fastest way to understand [Snaply](https://snaply.ai) is to use it for one real task.**

Install it, grant the right permissions once, and then try one of the three core flows: **[dictation](/dictation/overview)**, **[writing help](/writing-assistant/overview)**, or **[meeting notes](/meeting-notes/overview)**.

<Note>
  **System requirements:** Snaply requires macOS 14 or newer and Apple Silicon.
</Note>

## Install Snaply

### 1. Download the app

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Download for Mac" icon="download" href="https://snaply.ai/download">
    Get the latest Apple Silicon build
  </Card>

  <Card title="Website Overview" icon="globe" href="https://snaply.ai">
    See the product story, feature pages, and latest download links
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### 2. Move it to Applications

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the DMG">
    Double-click **Snaply.dmg** in your Downloads folder.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/snaply/CBl67I_Qaln208V1/images/install-step-1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=CBl67I_Qaln208V1&q=85&s=0177ed93bdd296843298cb2a20e96184" alt="Open DMG" width="1692" height="1020" data-path="images/install-step-1.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Drag to Applications">
    Drag the Snaply icon into the Applications folder.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/snaply/CBl67I_Qaln208V1/images/install-step-2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=CBl67I_Qaln208V1&q=85&s=2a58cc2982fd44aa34d1a7815885758e" alt="Drag to Applications" width="1150" height="852" data-path="images/install-step-2.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch Snaply">
    Open Snaply from your Applications folder.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/snaply/CBl67I_Qaln208V1/images/install-step-3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=CBl67I_Qaln208V1&q=85&s=9b4a999c83243f3b6b562e64bf96435f" alt="Launch App" width="1024" height="626" data-path="images/install-step-3.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Complete Onboarding

On first launch, Snaply asks whether you want to start with **Dictation** or **Meeting Notes**, then walks you through the setup for that workflow. This is the only "setup-heavy" part; after that, the app is mostly shortcuts and quick overlays.

1. Grant **Microphone** access for dictation and meetings.
2. Grant **Accessibility** access so Snaply can insert text into other apps.
3. Review **System Audio** when you want Meeting Notes to capture the other side of a call.
4. Choose your default transcription language: **English** or **Multi-language**.
5. Pick your shortcut flow.
6. If you want Writing Assistant or AI meeting notes, set up the model behind those features.

For [Meeting Notes](/meeting-notes/overview), Snaply may also ask you to review **System Audio** so it can capture the other side of a call, not just your microphone. On Macs with diarization support, Snaply can also separate the transcript into speaker turns.

## What To Try First

Pick one workflow and finish it end to end. That is the quickest way to make Snaply click.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Dictation" icon="mic" href="/dictation/overview">
    **Speak into any text field** and let Snaply type for you.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Writing Assistant" icon="sparkles" href="/writing-assistant/overview">
    **Select text, press a shortcut,** and clean it up instantly.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Meeting Notes" icon="notebook-pen" href="/meeting-notes/overview">
    **Record one meeting** and inspect the transcript, notes, and Ask AI flow.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Popular Setups

Snaply is useful out of the box, but a few setups are especially worth knowing about:

* If you already use **Ollama**, **LM Studio**, **LiteLLM**, or another OpenAI-compatible server, connect it from **Settings -> Writing Assistant -> AI Models -> Advanced model setup**.
* If a meeting already happened, upload the `WAV`, `M4A`, or `MP3` recording from the **Meeting Notes** page.
* If you use Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams, turn on **Detect meeting start and end automatically** so Snaply can suggest starting and stopping capture.
* If your notes live in Obsidian, Codex workflows, project tools, or plain files, set a **Markdown export** folder in **Settings -> Meeting Notes**.

## Default Shortcuts

| Action            | Default           | What it does                                                   |
| ----------------- | ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Dictation         | `Right Command`   | Starts and stops dictation                                     |
| Writing Assistant | `Control + Space` | Opens the writing menu for selected text                       |
| Meeting Notes     | None              | Optional shortcut you can add in **Settings -> Meeting Notes** |

## Local-First Setup

* **[Dictation](/dictation/overview)** runs locally on your Mac.
* **[Meeting recordings and transcripts](/meeting-notes/overview)** stay on your Mac.
* **[Writing Assistant](/writing-assistant/overview)** can use the built-in local model for private, fast edits.
* **[Meeting Notes](/meeting-notes/overview)** builds on the same local-first foundation.

<Note>
  For advanced model setup, open **Settings -> Writing Assistant -> AI Models**. You can keep things local, choose a built-in cloud provider, or connect an OpenAI-compatible endpoint with your own base URL.
</Note>

## Next Steps

* [Start with Dictation](/dictation/overview)
* [Set up the Writing Assistant](/writing-assistant/overview)
* [Record your first meeting](/meeting-notes/overview)
* [Read the website feature overview](https://snaply.ai)