Highlight AI: An AI assistant that uses voice and screen analytics for desktop tasks

General Introduction

Highlight AI is a desktop AI assistant for Windows and macOS (mobile version in development) that helps users quickly complete tasks in any app through voice commands and screen content analysis. It captures screen content, generates code, answers questions, and integrates with tools like GitHub, Notion, Slack, and more to automate meeting recording or task management. Users can download and install the desktop app for free to enjoy the convenience of real-time text processing, voice actions, and a community library of prompts.With an emphasis on contextual understanding, Highlight AI provides personalized feedback based on a user's on-screen activity, and is suitable for developers, working professionals, and students. As of March 2025, it aims to become a rising star among productivity tools with "full application coverage" and "10x efficiency improvement".

Highlight AI is a desktop "all-purpose" AI assistant worth trying, similar to Apple's "Shortcuts". Similar to Apple's "Shortcuts", it can automate various tasks across apps through intelligent bodies.Highlight AI has a rich built-in plug-in ecosystem and is licensed through a three-way data license, which covers most of the desktop AI products in the market that can be imagined, including desktop automation, programming, transcribing voice, summarizing meetings, writing, and so on! ... You can even customize your own plug-ins based on the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to seamlessly integrate with other services, which is a true desktop productivity tool. Similar to what we've covered before Raycast , but is more capable of cross-application integration i and smarter than he is.

Function List

• Screen Content Capture: Recognize text, images or code from any application, providing summaries, translations or explanations.
• voice control: Press and hold a specified key (e.g. Command) to manipulate an application or ask a question by voice.
• Instant Answer: Quickly generate answers or insights based on screen content or user input.
• code generation: Generate code snippets based on context in arbitrary environments.
• Third-party tool integration: Connect to GitHub, Notion, Google Calendar, and more to automate PR reviews, note synchronization, and more.
• Native Audio Transcription: Real-time transcription of meeting audio and generation of notes, with support for sharing.
• Personalized Settings: Enter your personal information through "About Me" to customize your answer.
• Shortcut Support: Customize shortcuts to quickly invoke frequently used functions.

Using Help

Installation process

To use Highlight AI on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Download Apps
   • Visit the official website https://highlightai.com/The
   • Click on the "Download" button and select the appropriate version (e.g. Windows x64.):https://highlightai.com/api/download?amp_id=89a58450-49ee-44fb-b917-f91f4b9726aa&external_id=default&architecture=x64&platform=windows).
   • After the download is complete, double-click the installation file (e.g. HighlightAISetup.exe maybe HighlightAI.dmg).
2. Installation steps
   • Windows (computer)Click "Next", select the installation path (recommended default), click "Install", about 3 minutes to complete.
   • macOS: Drag the application into the Applications folder and wait for it to be copied.
   • After installation, the Highlight AI icon will appear on your desktop.
3. initialization
   • Double-click the icon to launch and sign in to your account (email or Google account supported).
   • The system will request screen recording and microphone permissions, click "Allow" to enable the function.
   • Optional: Enter GitHub in Settings or Notion API key to complete the tool connection.

Main Functions Operation Guide

1. Screen content capture

• procedure::
  • Press the default shortcut key in any application (Windows. Ctrl+Alt+HmacOS. Command+Option+H), activate the tool.
  • Select the target area (e.g., document, code, or image) with the mouse and choose "Summarize", "Translate", or "Analyze".
  • Results are displayed within seconds and can be copied to the clipboard.
• Usage Scenarios::
  • Quickly Summarize Long PDF.
  • Translate foreign language web content.

2. Voice control

• Operating Methods::
  • hold down Command key (customizable for Windows), and say a command, such as "Open Slack" or "Generate Meeting Notes".
  • The system recognizes it and executes it immediately.
• Usage Scenarios::
  • Switch apps when your hands are busy.
  • Dictate the content of the email and send it.

3. Prompt answers

• procedure::
  • Box the screen and ask a question, such as "Explain this code", or just type in a question such as "Today's schedule".
  • Answers are generated based on the screen context and displayed in a pop-up window.
• dominance::
  • There is no need to leave the current work screen.
  • Support for complex problems such as parsing technical terms.

4. Code generation

• Operating Methods::
  • Box the relevant code or describe the requirement in the code editor and press the shortcut key to activate it.
  • Enter "Generate relevant code" and Highlight AI will output the code snippet based on the context.
• Usage Scenarios::
  • Quick Completion Functions in VS Code.
  • Generate scripts on demand.

5. Third-party tool integration

• connection kit::
  • Add tools in Settings > Integrations:
    • GitHub: Enter a token to enable automatic PR review.
    • Notion: Bind workspace to synchronize notes.
    • Slack: Authorized to aggregate channel content.
  • Example: Press the shortcut key after the meeting and the notes are automatically uploaded to Notion.
• Usage Scenarios::
  • Convert Google Calendar meetings to Linear tasks.
  • Slack chat generates a daily summary.

6. Native audio transcription

• procedure::
  • To activate the microphone when joining a conference, press the shortcut key (e.g. Ctrl+Alt+T) to begin transcription.
  • When you're done, select "Generate Notes" and the content can be shared to Slack or Notion.
• dominance::
  • Save time on manual logging.
  • Supports real-time transcription of multi-person meetings.

Featured Functions

Personalization (About Me)

• Operating Methods::
  • Go to "Settings > About Me" and enter your personal information (e.g. occupation, preferences).
  • Example: Enter "front-end developer" and you will be prioritized to provide code-related answers when you ask a question.
• Applicable Scenarios::
  • Optimize answer content based on user context.

Shortcut Support

• Setup Steps::
  • Click on a function (e.g. "Activate Highlight") in Settings > Shortcuts.
  • Enter a new shortcut (e.g. Ctrl+Space), save to take effect.
• suggestion::
  • Set key combinations that do not conflict with other applications.

caveat

• authority requirement: Make sure screen recording and microphone permissions are enabled, otherwise some features are not available.
• network dependency: Networking is required for voice and integration features, and a stable connection is recommended.
• Update Tips: Check Settings > Updates regularly for new features.
• Support Channels: Questions can be directed to the official website support@highlightai.com or Discord (discord.gg/hlai) for feedback.

With these steps, users can easily install and master Highlight AI to enhance the efficiency of their desktop operations. Whether it's code writing, meeting management or daily tasks, this tool provides powerful support.