MiniAi

MiniAi is a free native macOS application that provides instant AI explanations for selected text. Users highlight any text in any application and press Option plus Space to receive a summary directly on screen without switching context or copying content.

The application addresses the need to understand unfamiliar terms or concepts while remaining in the original workflow. It supports any language and works across applications including Safari, VS Code, Notion, Keynote, and Mail. After the initial explanation appears in a popup, users can ask follow-up questions without closing the interface. Examples in its documentation include explaining neuroplasticity as the brain's ability to rewire itself at any age and breaking down the dopamine system into reward, focus, and movement pathways with associated real-world questions.

MiniAi requires macOS 14 or later and runs on both Apple Silicon and Intel hardware. Version 1.0 is delivered as a direct download. The process consists of three steps: select text, invoke the keyboard shortcut, and view the AI-generated summary or continue the conversation in the same popup.