Built-in and custom AI actions
Write Formally, Fix Grammar and Summarize use a provider and model you choose. Custom AI Prompt actions use the same connection and output controls.
Compare local and online providers
Apple Intelligence runs on a supported Mac with Apple Intelligence enabled. Ollama Local runs a downloaded model through a loopback server. Online providers send the selected text and instructions to the chosen service and require Allow online actions.
Choose a provider and model
- Connect providers using Settings → AI → Configure….
- Choose a Default AI provider and Default AI model in Settings.
- Open an AI Prompt action’s gear, or the custom action creator/editor. Keep Settings default or select a connected AI provider and AI model for that action.
Explicit action choices stay unchanged when defaults change. Unavailable providers require reconnection or a new selection; ActionClip does not silently fall back to another service.
Show as corrections
Turn on Show as corrections in an AI Prompt action’s gear settings to compare its input and output in the result popup. Removed text is red with strikethrough; added text is green with an underline. This comparison is read-only. There is no separate Original text section or edit control in comparison mode.
Copy and Replace use the clean generated text without comparison markup. Replace is available only for an editable, replaceable original selection. Turning this option on does not change the action’s saved result destination.
Know the privacy boundary
Only the selected provider handles the request. Local Apple Intelligence and Ollama Local do not send the request to an online AI service. Online requests use your selected connection and remain controlled by Allow online actions.
Set up your provider
Configure providers and defaults, connect OpenAI, or use Ollama Local.
Use your own AI API
Choose API (OpenAI compatible) in the central configuration modal. Set the base URL, credentials and model.
New provider connections in 2.3.4
In Settings → AI → Configure…, connect DeepSeek, Groq or MiniMax with your own provider key. Each has independent credentials and model choices. Choose an available text model, then set it as the default or select it for an AI action or translation. Online actions require Allow online actions.
Claude Code CLI uses an installed, signed-in Claude Code command-line tool and its existing account access. Choose it in Configure AI providers and follow the local setup/status guidance. Requests run with tools, MCP, hooks, project settings and persistent sessions disabled, with bounded execution. It is an online account connection; it does not make Claude an on-device model.
Existing Apple Intelligence, Ollama Local, Gemini, OpenAI API, ChatGPT / Codex, Claude API, OpenRouter, Perplexity, OpenAI-compatible API, Ollama Cloud and Temporary AI choices remain. Action-specific choices remain when you change the default; an unavailable AI connection is not silently replaced.
Perplexity uses the current Agent connection and Fast, Low, Medium or High effort choices. If a key was revoked, disconnect it and connect the replacement. Keep keys out of screenshots and support messages.
Ask AI with your own instruction
In ActionClip 2.3.6, select text and choose Ask AI. A compact input opens first. Type an instruction such as “Explain this simply” and press Return or Send. AI runs only after you submit.
The result shows your question separately from the answer. Use the answer’s Copy button, then ask a follow-up such as “Make it shorter.” The conversation retains the selected text and earlier turns for that popup. Close it with the cross button when finished.
Ask for instructions each time
In Custom Actions → Create new, choose AI Prompt. Under Prompt mode, choose Ask each time. Add a Default instruction (optional) if you want a starting suggestion, then choose your provider and save.
Running the action opens the compact instruction input on the selected text. Review or change the instruction and send it. Choose Saved prompt instead when the same instruction should run immediately each time.
Ask about a result
Turn on Settings → Result Popup → Ask AI to show the conversation button on supported results. Click it to open Ask about this…, enter your question, and send. The input keeps focus after submission.
Collapse and reopen the conversation without losing its draft or earlier turns. Copy uses the currently displayed answer; Replace also needs an editable original selection. Chat and Translate & Reply popups stay open until you use the cross button, even when ordinary results are configured to close on outside clicks.
Questions, the source selection, the result and earlier turns are sent to the selected AI provider when you submit. Online requests require Allow online actions. Local providers keep inference on your Mac.