ExtraBrain Help Center
ExtraBrain is a Mac desktop assistant for conversations, interviews, coding, and meetings. It combines typed questions, live transcripts, screenshots, reference documents, and saved sessions.
Set Up The App
Section titled “Set Up The App”- Install ExtraBrain and complete first-run setup.
- Grant macOS permissions for the capture features you use.
- Choose transcription: Parakeet, Apple Speech on compatible Macs, or Deepgram.
- Connect AI: ExtraBrain AI, your own provider, or local Gemma in the direct-download app.
Ask And Capture Context
Section titled “Ask And Capture Context”- Start a session and run analysis.
- Chat, quote transcript selections, and use profile actions.
- Capture a screen, window, or region.
- Analyze detected topics and questions or ask follow-ups.
- Add reference documents and persistent instructions.
Make The Workflow Yours
Section titled “Make The Workflow Yours”- Choose profiles and create custom profiles.
- Configure session automation.
- Adjust the interface and Quick Settings, audio, and shortcuts.
- Review session history, summaries, and insights.
- Pair your Android phone, learn the controller, or fix a connection. Android is available now; iOS is in progress.
- Use the CLI for document import, profiles, and session exports.
- Connect an external MCP app in the direct-download build.
Privacy And Plans
Section titled “Privacy And Plans”How ExtraBrain handles data explains local storage, cloud requests, analytics content uploads, and phone connections. Privacy controls explains capture protection and visibility.
The core app supports your own provider access. Pro Monthly, Pro Yearly, the Job Search Pass, and the Pro trial include ExtraBrain AI credits; Lifetime does not. External provider charges remain separate. See Plan & Billing.
Need Help?
Section titled “Need Help?”Use Troubleshooting, send feedback, or join the ExtraBrain Discord.
Which Version Do These Guides Cover?
Section titled “Which Version Do These Guides Cover?”These guides were reviewed against ExtraBrain 0.9.6 and the October 2026 desktop interface. Screenshots show the direct-download Mac interface with example session data. Features depend on the installed version and build. The Mac App Store app does not include local Gemma, external subscription integrations, or the local MCP server. Phone Control appears in builds configured for it; it is no longer solely a development feature.