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Cai – Local AI Action Layer for macOS (Free, MIT, MLX)

Cai – Local AI Action Layer for macOS (Free, MIT, MLX)

by soyasis·Apr 22, 2026·2 points·0 comments
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AI Analysis

●●SolidSlickSolve My Problem

Raycast alternative built because extension sat in review queue for 3+ months.

Strengths
  • •Built-in Ministral 3B via MLX means zero API keys or cloud dependencies
  • •Smart action surfacing reads selection context (code, meetings, addresses) automatically
  • •Custom actions support prompts, shell scripts, and URL shortcuts in one library
Weaknesses
  • •macOS-only with Apple Intelligence requiring macOS 26+ limits audience significantly
  • •Raycast AI Commands and Superwhisper already dominate this exact category
Category
Productivity
Target Audience

Mac developers, knowledge workers

Similar To

Raycast · Superwhisper · Cursor

Post Description

Hi HN,

Cai runs actions on your selection via ⌥C, pick an action (AI, shell, GitHub issue, Linear ticket), done. Bundled local model (MLX Community), create custom actions with prompts, scripts and more. Free, MIT.

Built after my Raycast extension sat in review queue for 3+ months. Wanted no typing, no app switching, no cloud.

Repo: https://github.com/cai-layer/cai Demo: https://youtu.be/LH2MYNQ_wsk

Similar Projects

Productivity●●Solid

Cai – AI actions on your clipboard, runs locally (macOS, open source)

It maps seven detected content types to one‑key actions — convert invites to calendar events, jump addresses into Maps, or run custom prompts — and even ships a local MinistraI 3B runtime so nothing leaves your machine. Smart, keyboard‑first ergonomics and app‑aware responses make it genuinely useful; the hard part now is building enough action templates or integrations to outcompete Raycast/Alfred clones.

Solve My ProblemSlick
soyasis
113mo ago