Install & permissions

Download the app, check the system requirements, and grant the macOS permissions Clabrate needs to listen and type for you.

Updated 28 June 2026

Installing Clabrate takes a couple of minutes: download the app, then grant a short list of macOS permissions. The app walks you through the permissions on first launch — this page is the map.

System requirements

  • macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later
  • Apple silicon only — M1 or newer. Intel Macs are not supported.
  • 8 GB+ RAM recommended
  • ~2–8 GB free storage (speech and AI models download on demand)
  • Works fully offline in its default mode

Install

  1. Download the latest .dmg from the downloads page.
  2. Open the DMG and drag Clabrate into your Applications folder.
  3. Eject the installer, then open Clabrate from Applications.
Dragging Clabrate into the Applications folder Screenshot pending: install-dmg.png
Drag Clabrate into Applications, then launch it from there.

Grant the permissions

macOS gates microphone, keyboard, and text access behind explicit permissions. Clabrate’s first-run setup prompts you for each one and links straight to the right pane in System Settings → Privacy & Security. You’ll toggle Clabrate on in each.

PermissionRequired?Why Clabrate needs it
MicrophoneRequiredTo hear what you say
AccessibilityRequiredTo insert text at your cursor in other apps
Input MonitoringRequiredTo detect the activation key (e.g. right ⌥ Option)
Screen RecordingOptionalOnly if you attach a screenshot to the assistant
Granting Accessibility to Clabrate in System Settings Screenshot pending: perm-accessibility.png
Accessibility is what lets Clabrate type into other apps — it's the one to double-check.

Note: Apple Events (permission to paste into other apps) may also be requested the first time Clabrate inserts text into a specific app. Allow it for the apps you dictate into.

The first time you run, Clabrate also downloads its on-device speech model (~494 MB). Leave it connected for that first launch; afterwards dictation works offline.

Common questions

Why so many permissions? Each maps to one job: hear you (Microphone), notice the key press (Input Monitoring), and type for you (Accessibility). macOS requires them to be granted explicitly — Clabrate can’t grant them for you.

Is Screen Recording really needed? Only if you want to attach a screenshot to the assistant. Skip it otherwise.

Troubleshooting

  • A toggle won’t “stick.” Quit Clabrate, toggle it off then on in System Settings, and relaunch.
  • Text isn’t typing anywhere. Accessibility isn’t granted — see Troubleshooting.
  • The key never triggers. Input Monitoring isn’t granted.