macai

macai (macOS AI) is a simple yet powerful native macOS AI chat client that supports most AI providers: ChatGPT, Claude, xAI (Grok), Google Gemini, Perplexity, Ollama, OpenRouter, and almost any OpenAI-compatible APIs.

Table of Contents

• Downloads
  • Manual
  • Homebrew
• Contributions
• Why macai
• Run with ChatGPT, Claude, xAI or Google Gemini
• Run with Ollama
• System requirements
• Project status
• Build from source
• iCloud Sync Configuration
• License

Downloads

Manual

Download latest universal binary, notarized by Apple.

Homebrew

Install macai cask with homebrew: brew install --cask macai

Contributions

Contributions are welcome. Take a look at Issues page to see already added features/bugs before creating new one. You can also support project by funding. This support is very important for me and allows to focus more on macai development.

Why macai

• macOS-native and lightweight
• User-friendly: simple setup, minimalist light/dark UI
• Feature-rich: vision, image generation, search, reasoning, import/export and more
• iCloud Sync: keep chats, messages, and settings in sync across devices
• Private and secure: no telemetry or usage tracking by macai (Note: Apple may collect anonymized telemetry when iCloud Sync is enabled)

Run with ChatGPT, Claude, xAI or Google Gemini

To run macai with ChatGPT or Claude, you need to have an API token. API token is like password. You need to obtain the API token first to use any commercial LLM API. Most API services offer free credits on registering new account, so you can try most of them for free. Here is how to get API token for all supported services:

• OpenAI: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/4936850-where-do-i-find-my-secret-api-key
• Claude: https://docs.anthropic.com/en/api/getting-started
• Google Gemini: https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/api-key
• xAI Grok: https://docs.x.ai/docs#models
• OpenRouter: https://openrouter.ai/docs/api-reference/authentication#using-an-api-key

If you are new to LLM and don't want to pay for the tokens, take a look Ollama. It supports dozens of OpenSource LLM models that can run locally on Apple M1/M2/M3/M4 Macs.

Run with Ollama

Ollama is the open-source back-end for various LLM models. Run macai with Ollama is easy:

1. Install Ollama from the official website

2. Follow installation guides

3. After installation, select model (llama3.1 or llama3.2 are recommended) and pull model using command in terminal: ollama pull <model>

4. In macai settings, open API Service tab, add new API service (Expert mode) and select type Ollama":

5. Select model, and default AI Assistant and save

6. Test and enjoy!

System requirements

macOS 14.0 and later (both Intel and Apple chips are supported)

Project status

Project is in the active development phase.

Build from source

Option 1: With Apple Developer Account (Full Features)

If you have an Apple Developer account and want to build with iCloud Sync support:

1. Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/Renset/macai.git
2. Open macai.xcodeproj in Xcode
3. Select your team in Signing & Capabilities
4. (Optional) To enable iCloud Sync in Debug builds, remove DISABLE_ICLOUD from Build Settings → Swift Compiler → Active Compilation Conditions
5. Build and run

Note: By default, Debug builds have iCloud Sync disabled via the DISABLE_ICLOUD flag to simplify contributor setup. Release builds have iCloud Sync enabled.

Option 2: Without Apple Developer Account (No iCloud Sync)

If you don't have an Apple Developer account, you can still build and run the app without iCloud Sync:

Using Xcode:

1. Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/Renset/macai.git
2. Open macai.xcodeproj in Xcode
3. Select the macai target → Build Settings tab
4. Search for CODE_SIGN_ENTITLEMENTS
5. Change the value from macai/macai.entitlements to macai/macai-no-icloud.entitlements
6. In Signing & Capabilities, set "Signing Certificate" to "Sign to Run Locally"
7. Build and run

Using Command Line:

git clone https://github.com/Renset/macai.git
cd macai
xcodebuild -scheme macai \
  -configuration Debug \
  CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY="-" \
  CODE_SIGN_ENTITLEMENTS="macai/macai-no-icloud.entitlements" \
  DEVELOPMENT_TEAM="" \
  CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO \
  build

Note: The app built without iCloud entitlements will work normally, but the iCloud Sync feature will not be available. All other features (chat, API services, personas, etc.) will work as expected.

iCloud Sync Configuration

For Contributors (Debug Builds)

iCloud Sync is disabled by default in Debug builds via the DISABLE_ICLOUD compiler flag. This simplifies the development setup and avoids CloudKit-related signing issues for contributors without an Apple Developer account.

To enable iCloud Sync in Debug builds:

1. Select the macai target → Build Settings tab
2. Search for SWIFT_ACTIVE_COMPILATION_CONDITIONS (or "Active Compilation Conditions")
3. Remove DISABLE_ICLOUD from the value (leaving just DEBUG)
4. Ensure you have proper entitlements and signing configured (see below)

For Forks / Custom Builds

If you want iCloud Sync to work in a fork or custom build, you must use your own CloudKit container:

1. Create a CloudKit container in your Apple Developer account
2. Enable the iCloud capability for the macai target in Xcode, and add your container
3. Update the CloudKitContainerIdentifier value in macai/Info.plist to your container ID
4. Ensure your app's bundle identifier matches the one you registered for the container
5. Remove DISABLE_ICLOUD from Active Compilation Conditions if present

If CloudKitContainerIdentifier is missing, the app falls back to the default container.

License

Apache-2.0