Kerlig

Name: Kerlig
Rating: 86 (22 reviews)

Write smarter in any Mac app

Platform

Mac

macOS

12.0 or later

Size

541.8 MB

Version

2.6.0

Languages

English

Overview

Kerlig is an AI writing assistant that lives in your Mac’s menu bar. Press a shortcut and it’s there — no browser tabs, no context-switching. Use it to proofread messages, draft replies, summarize documents, or run custom actions across any app. It works with 350+ models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and more using your own API keys.

Proofread text before you hit Send
Draft emails and Slack replies faster
Chat with documents and web pages
Run custom AI actions in any app

Kerlig features

Write without leaving your app

Kerlig stays out of the way until you need it. Hit a keyboard shortcut and it pops up right where you’re working — whether that’s Mail, Slack, Notion, or anything else. Fix grammar, improve a message, or draft a reply without opening a single browser tab. It fits right into how you already work on your Mac.

Pick your AI model

Not all tasks need the same model. Kerlig connects to 350+ models across OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Groq, Perplexity, and more. Switch between them in one click. You can also run local models through Ollama, LM Studio, or Apple Foundation Models if you prefer to keep things on-device.

Build your own actions

Kerlig comes with handy built-in actions like proofreading, summarizing, and translating. But the real power is making your own. Create custom prompts for things you do often — writing Jira tickets, converting code, generating social posts — and trigger them instantly from the shortcut menu. Your workflows, your rules.

Chat with documents

Drop in a PDF, webpage, ebook, or image and start asking questions. Kerlig lets you analyze and summarize documents right inside the app, without copy-pasting chunks of text into a browser. It’s a fast way to pull insights from files you’re already working with.

Set your tone of voice

Everyone writes differently. Kerlig lets you save tone presets — casual for Slack, polished for client emails, concise for tickets — so your AI-generated text sounds like you. Switch between tones in a click and keep your voice consistent across every message.

Keep your writing private

Kerlig doesn’t store or use your data for training. Your chat history stays encrypted on your Mac, and you’re always in control of which AI provider handles your requests. Write freely, knowing your messages and documents aren’t being collected or shared behind the scenes.

Ratings and reviews

86%

22 user ratings

kyo kou
May 8, 2026
This app is really amazing! I particularly love its action feature, which makes everything so much easier. Before, I had to open a website to get certain AI responses, but now I can do it all with just a shortcut key.
Bowser
May 1, 2026
This app is fantastic. I LOVE it. It’s easy to use, does what it says, and is great for changing copy on the fly without using the Claude / ChatGPT platform. Highly Recommended.
Mixel
Apr 11, 2026
Not sure if I’m doing something wrong but I can’t seem to be able to use my Chat GPT account even after setting up the API. It looks like in order to use my already paid service, I have to pay again (per credit each time) so Kerlig can forward the request to Chat GPT. If that is the case seems cheaper to just use Chat GPT’s integration(s).
Response from Developer
Apr 11, 2026
Hi Mixel, Thanks for the feedback! The OpenAI API is a separate product from a ChatGPT subscription, and unfortunately OpenAI doesn't allow ChatGPT credits to be used via the API. However, since you are on Setapp, you can use OpenAI models directly through Kerlig's Setapp integration — no API key needed, and it uses your Setapp credits. Hope that helps, and sorry for the confusion!
Michael Running
Apr 9, 2026
I’ve been surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed using this app. I’ve found a workflow that fits my needs, and it’s become a handy companion for checking, simplifying, and generally improving my writing. It integrates seamlessly into my work, and with just a couple of keystrokes, I feel more confident in my communications. Thanks for such a helpful app.