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Set Up ExtraBrain For The First Time

First-run setup gets ExtraBrain from launch to a usable live session. The onboarding flow covers welcome, macOS permissions, transcription provider, AI provider, and finish.

ExtraBrain onboarding welcome screen

1. Start Onboarding

Section titled “1. Start Onboarding”

Open ExtraBrain and continue from the welcome screen. Keep the app open while you complete permissions and provider setup.

2. Grant macOS Permissions

Section titled “2. Grant macOS Permissions”

ExtraBrain needs permission to hear and see the context you choose to use:

  • Microphone for your spoken audio.
  • Screen Recording for screenshots and screen context.
  • System Audio for call, meeting, video, or shared-audio transcription when supported.

See Grant macOS permissions for recovery steps if macOS keeps a permission in a pending or denied state.

3. Choose Transcription

Section titled “3. Choose Transcription”

Choose one transcription mode:

  • Local Parakeet runs on your Mac and does not require an API key.
  • Deepgram uses cloud transcription and requires a Deepgram API key.

Transcription provider selection in onboarding

4. Connect AI

Section titled “4. Connect AI”

Choose the AI provider family and connection method ExtraBrain should use for live analysis. Public provider modes include OpenAI, Anthropic, Claude Subscription, Codex Subscription, and custom OpenAI-compatible endpoints.

AI provider chooser in onboarding

The local model option shown in onboarding is disabled and should not be treated as available public setup.

5. Run A Short Test

Section titled “5. Run A Short Test”

Before a real interview or meeting:

  • start recording
  • confirm transcript entries appear
  • capture one screenshot if screen context matters
  • run one analysis
  • confirm the answer comes from the provider you expected
Section titled “Related”

Setup Questions

Section titled “Setup Questions”

Can I change providers after first-run setup?

Section titled “Can I change providers after first-run setup?”

Yes. You can change transcription in Settings -> Audio and change AI providers in Settings -> LLM Providers. Run a short test after changing either setting.

What should I do if onboarding cannot continue?

Section titled “What should I do if onboarding cannot continue?”

Check macOS permissions, provider validation, and required fields. Deepgram requires a valid key, while Local Parakeet can continue without an API key.