I built an app that lets AI assistants control native Mac apps
A few months ago, I launched Macuse, an app that connects AI assistants to your native Mac apps. After months of feedback, bug fixes, and new features, we just shipped v1.0.
If you missed the original post: Macuse lets Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible AI read and control your Mac's built-in apps.
The video below shows Raycast connecting to Macuse to summarize emails in Mail.
https://reddit.com/link/1pynalk/video/imm0bfm3i5ag1/player
# What can it do?
You talk to Claude (or Cursor, or any MCP-compatible AI), and it can:
Read and search your emails: "Show me unread emails from the past week and summarize anything urgent"
Manage your calendar: "What's on my schedule tomorrow? Block 2 hours for deep work"
Handle reminders and notes: "Add a reminder to call mom on Sunday"
Check messages and contacts: "What did John message me about last week?"
Get directions and travel times: "How long will it take to drive to the airport?"
Control any app: Through UI automation, your AI can click buttons, fill forms, navigate menus
The magic is when you combine these: "Check my calendar for tomorrow, find any related emails, and draft a summary note", all in one request.
# Authorization
This was a big focus for v1.0. Most tools in this space give connected AI clients full access to everything, no questions asked. That felt wrong to me.
Macuse implements OAuth 2.1 following the official MCP authorization spec. When an AI client connects, you'll see a consent screen showing exactly what it wants to access. You approve, deny, or revoke access anytime.
It might sound like overkill for a local app, but as we connect more AI tools to our personal data, proper permission control matters.
# Privacy
Everything stays on your Mac. Your emails, calendar, messages never leave your computer. When Claude asks to read your emails, Macuse fetches that data locally and sends it directly to your AI client. We never see, store, or upload your personal content.
# Pricing
Free: 100 tool calls/day, all features
Lifetime: $29 one-time (Earlybird), unlimited everything, forever
No subnoscriptions. I hate them too.
# Giveaway
As a thank you to this community, I'm giving away 10 free lifetime licenses to r/macapps members.
Just head to macuse.app/pricing and enter the code MACAPPS at checkout. First 10 to use it get a free license key.
Would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or feature requests. What would make this more useful for you?
https://redd.it/1pynalk
@macappsbackup
A few months ago, I launched Macuse, an app that connects AI assistants to your native Mac apps. After months of feedback, bug fixes, and new features, we just shipped v1.0.
If you missed the original post: Macuse lets Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible AI read and control your Mac's built-in apps.
The video below shows Raycast connecting to Macuse to summarize emails in Mail.
https://reddit.com/link/1pynalk/video/imm0bfm3i5ag1/player
# What can it do?
You talk to Claude (or Cursor, or any MCP-compatible AI), and it can:
Read and search your emails: "Show me unread emails from the past week and summarize anything urgent"
Manage your calendar: "What's on my schedule tomorrow? Block 2 hours for deep work"
Handle reminders and notes: "Add a reminder to call mom on Sunday"
Check messages and contacts: "What did John message me about last week?"
Get directions and travel times: "How long will it take to drive to the airport?"
Control any app: Through UI automation, your AI can click buttons, fill forms, navigate menus
The magic is when you combine these: "Check my calendar for tomorrow, find any related emails, and draft a summary note", all in one request.
# Authorization
This was a big focus for v1.0. Most tools in this space give connected AI clients full access to everything, no questions asked. That felt wrong to me.
Macuse implements OAuth 2.1 following the official MCP authorization spec. When an AI client connects, you'll see a consent screen showing exactly what it wants to access. You approve, deny, or revoke access anytime.
It might sound like overkill for a local app, but as we connect more AI tools to our personal data, proper permission control matters.
# Privacy
Everything stays on your Mac. Your emails, calendar, messages never leave your computer. When Claude asks to read your emails, Macuse fetches that data locally and sends it directly to your AI client. We never see, store, or upload your personal content.
# Pricing
Free: 100 tool calls/day, all features
Lifetime: $29 one-time (Earlybird), unlimited everything, forever
No subnoscriptions. I hate them too.
# Giveaway
As a thank you to this community, I'm giving away 10 free lifetime licenses to r/macapps members.
Just head to macuse.app/pricing and enter the code MACAPPS at checkout. First 10 to use it get a free license key.
Would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or feature requests. What would make this more useful for you?
https://redd.it/1pynalk
@macappsbackup
Macuse
Macuse — Give Your AI Superpowers on macOS
Let your AI assistant manage calendar, email, notes, and control any Mac app. Works with Claude, Cursor, Raycast. Runs locally, privacy first.
SupaSidebar - Arc-like sidebar for all browsers (New Year giveaway)
https://redd.it/1pypxnm
@macappsbackup
https://redd.it/1pypxnm
@macappsbackup
Three best Apps
You can recommend three apps, and only three apps. Difficulty: they must be regularly updated.
UpNote cross platform notes with great markdown support and community.
iA Writer the gold standard markdown word processing tool.
Things personal task management. The best option for reminders.
What are your best three?
https://redd.it/1pyrc65
@macappsbackup
You can recommend three apps, and only three apps. Difficulty: they must be regularly updated.
UpNote cross platform notes with great markdown support and community.
iA Writer the gold standard markdown word processing tool.
Things personal task management. The best option for reminders.
What are your best three?
https://redd.it/1pyrc65
@macappsbackup
Getupnote
Best Notes App - Write and Organize with UpNote
UpNote is a clean and beautiful app for writing and organizing notes. It’s easy to use with rich features and delightful experience. Available on Mac, iOS, Android, Windows and Linux.
Need a Mail alternative
I am having significant problems with the mail app. I use gmail workspace for my business and the lag is ridiculous. Mac support on the phone blamed gmail.
Is this something that can be fixed or is there a better app to use for email?
https://redd.it/1pyt4uf
@macappsbackup
I am having significant problems with the mail app. I use gmail workspace for my business and the lag is ridiculous. Mac support on the phone blamed gmail.
Is this something that can be fixed or is there a better app to use for email?
https://redd.it/1pyt4uf
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
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5 useful apps not many people know about 2025
Fabric.so 📁
Fabric is like a second brain that can store basically anything on the internet. It can connect to other apps like google drive and ask the Fabric AI questions about your saved info.
Granola 👂
Granola is an AI meeting + notes application on steroids. It has the most accurate meeting trannoscriptions without an annoying bot that joins. It turns your trannoscriptions and jot downs into clean notes that also look good.
Martin AI 🤖
Martin is a personal productivity agent that can connect to all your calendars, emails, etc. It can call or text you reminders and emails and claims to be the closest thing real life Jarvis.
Akiflow ✅
Save time having your calendar and to do list in the same app with a personal agent. Akiflow is a pricier daily planner app but works well with great UI.
Origin 💵
Origin is a finacial planning and tracking app where you can safely connect all your accounts. The AI can then give you suggestions and help with budgeting, credit score, and even networth.
If you want to find more useful tools and stay up to date check out toolclarity.co
https://redd.it/1pyynw4
@macappsbackup
Fabric.so 📁
Fabric is like a second brain that can store basically anything on the internet. It can connect to other apps like google drive and ask the Fabric AI questions about your saved info.
Granola 👂
Granola is an AI meeting + notes application on steroids. It has the most accurate meeting trannoscriptions without an annoying bot that joins. It turns your trannoscriptions and jot downs into clean notes that also look good.
Martin AI 🤖
Martin is a personal productivity agent that can connect to all your calendars, emails, etc. It can call or text you reminders and emails and claims to be the closest thing real life Jarvis.
Akiflow ✅
Save time having your calendar and to do list in the same app with a personal agent. Akiflow is a pricier daily planner app but works well with great UI.
Origin 💵
Origin is a finacial planning and tracking app where you can safely connect all your accounts. The AI can then give you suggestions and help with budgeting, credit score, and even networth.
If you want to find more useful tools and stay up to date check out toolclarity.co
https://redd.it/1pyynw4
@macappsbackup
Tool Clarity
Subscribe | Tool Clarity
I built ExtraBar to give my menu bar superpowers - deep links to Zoom, Slack, Code Projects, Figma Designs - all available using a simple bar, fully keyboard controlled, and customized to my needs. After using it for weeks now, it is officially launched 🤩
https://redd.it/1pyzd40
@macappsbackup
https://redd.it/1pyzd40
@macappsbackup
This is how I use Apple Calendar
The image is displayed in a rough manner in the text, but if you click on it you will see a clearer image.
I use Apple Calendar every day.
I use it in day view, moving the app to the right edge of the desktop so that only schedule is visible. I like this because it allows me to check schedule at all times and saves space. Also, since the window size doesn't change, I don't have to resize it when I switch to month view, so it's hassle-free.
Well, it does take some effort to move it to the edge of the desktop and then move it back to its original position, but I'm happy with it.
https://redd.it/1pz3wfw
@macappsbackup
The image is displayed in a rough manner in the text, but if you click on it you will see a clearer image.
I use Apple Calendar every day.
I use it in day view, moving the app to the right edge of the desktop so that only schedule is visible. I like this because it allows me to check schedule at all times and saves space. Also, since the window size doesn't change, I don't have to resize it when I switch to month view, so it's hassle-free.
Well, it does take some effort to move it to the edge of the desktop and then move it back to its original position, but I'm happy with it.
https://redd.it/1pz3wfw
@macappsbackup
Bought 2 App & Planning to purchase another 1
Hey everyone,
This is an amazing community where I got couple of tools for myself.
I just bought 2 app:
1. Lookaway
2. Monocle
This will help me to be more productive.
Looking for another app for my mac. I want to uninstall software with all the source file.
Is there any quality app for that? Though I am using Clean my Mac but feel like this app is not working perfectly.
Thanks in Advance 🙌
https://redd.it/1pz4cla
@macappsbackup
Hey everyone,
This is an amazing community where I got couple of tools for myself.
I just bought 2 app:
1. Lookaway
2. Monocle
This will help me to be more productive.
Looking for another app for my mac. I want to uninstall software with all the source file.
Is there any quality app for that? Though I am using Clean my Mac but feel like this app is not working perfectly.
Thanks in Advance 🙌
https://redd.it/1pz4cla
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the macapps community
Version history in Notes (shared)
New to using Notes on Mac and was told by several friends (and most of Google search) that there is no version history. Afaict this is true for non-shared notes, but for shared notes, there is 'Activity' which is full version history. Toggle on/off with \^⌘K. Screenshots below.
View Menu:
https://preview.redd.it/fp5nog13y9ag1.png?width=620&format=png&auto=webp&s=1ce095c729c83fde329ed89efd85c7cb33eab86e
https://preview.redd.it/5ttfbjcpx9ag1.png?width=1028&format=png&auto=webp&s=33b106787e3ebcdb63051fc59fe944cfc98af934
https://redd.it/1pz9buo
@macappsbackup
New to using Notes on Mac and was told by several friends (and most of Google search) that there is no version history. Afaict this is true for non-shared notes, but for shared notes, there is 'Activity' which is full version history. Toggle on/off with \^⌘K. Screenshots below.
View Menu:
https://preview.redd.it/fp5nog13y9ag1.png?width=620&format=png&auto=webp&s=1ce095c729c83fde329ed89efd85c7cb33eab86e
https://preview.redd.it/5ttfbjcpx9ag1.png?width=1028&format=png&auto=webp&s=33b106787e3ebcdb63051fc59fe944cfc98af934
https://redd.it/1pz9buo
@macappsbackup
Made a free EQ app for macOS, would love some feedback
I built a simple 10-band equalizer that sits in the menu bar.
https://preview.redd.it/e8ww0xu87aag1.png?width=453&format=png&auto=webp&s=83dd77f59c8b25d90cb4dea088d798f5972980c1
Nothing fancy, just wanted something free that remembers my EQ settings when I switch between headphones and speakers.
It also has a volume slider for HDMI outputs (since macOS doesn't give you one) and some built-in AutoEQ profiles if you want to correct your headphones.
Requires BlackHole for audio routing. Still in beta so probably has bugs.
https://github.com/snap-sites/SoundMax
https://snap-sites.github.io/SoundMax/
Happy to hear what you think or if something breaks.
https://redd.it/1pza8ol
@macappsbackup
I built a simple 10-band equalizer that sits in the menu bar.
https://preview.redd.it/e8ww0xu87aag1.png?width=453&format=png&auto=webp&s=83dd77f59c8b25d90cb4dea088d798f5972980c1
Nothing fancy, just wanted something free that remembers my EQ settings when I switch between headphones and speakers.
It also has a volume slider for HDMI outputs (since macOS doesn't give you one) and some built-in AutoEQ profiles if you want to correct your headphones.
Requires BlackHole for audio routing. Still in beta so probably has bugs.
https://github.com/snap-sites/SoundMax
https://snap-sites.github.io/SoundMax/
Happy to hear what you think or if something breaks.
https://redd.it/1pza8ol
@macappsbackup
Feedback wanted: local-first macOS trannoscription app (offline + live dictation)
I’ve been working on a macOS trannoscription app called **Murmur**, mainly as a side project to explore local-first trannoscription and live dictation on the Mac.
My goal was to build something that:
* Works offline
* Handles both live microphone input and audio files
* Makes the trade-offs between latency, accuracy, and model size explicit instead of hidden
Right now it supports:
* Live microphone trannoscription
* Trannoscription of audio files
* Multiple trannoscription engines:
* Local Whisper-based models (offline)
* A couple of alternative local engines for experimentation
* Apple Speech as a lightweight option if you don’t want to manage models
* Optional post-processing (punctuation, casing, basic cleanup)
* Speaker diarization where supported, with basic segment editing
* A global hotkey for dictation across apps
* Export to TXT, SRT, and VTT
Most of the work so far has gone into making streaming trannoscription feel reliable on macOS like handling partial results, keeping latency low enough for dictation, and not over-engineering the UI.
It’s still very much an MVP, and I’m mainly trying to sanity-check the direction before going further. I’d love feedback from people here on:
* What matters most in a Mac trannoscription app: accuracy, latency, or simplicity
* Which export formats or metadata you actually use
* Things other macOS trannoscription apps get wrong or feel brittle
* Features you’d avoid or don’t want at all
Not trying to sell anything here but mostly looking to learn from folks who care about well-designed Mac apps. Happy to answer questions or go deeper on implementation if helpful.
Thanks!
https://redd.it/1pzd5kv
@macappsbackup
I’ve been working on a macOS trannoscription app called **Murmur**, mainly as a side project to explore local-first trannoscription and live dictation on the Mac.
My goal was to build something that:
* Works offline
* Handles both live microphone input and audio files
* Makes the trade-offs between latency, accuracy, and model size explicit instead of hidden
Right now it supports:
* Live microphone trannoscription
* Trannoscription of audio files
* Multiple trannoscription engines:
* Local Whisper-based models (offline)
* A couple of alternative local engines for experimentation
* Apple Speech as a lightweight option if you don’t want to manage models
* Optional post-processing (punctuation, casing, basic cleanup)
* Speaker diarization where supported, with basic segment editing
* A global hotkey for dictation across apps
* Export to TXT, SRT, and VTT
Most of the work so far has gone into making streaming trannoscription feel reliable on macOS like handling partial results, keeping latency low enough for dictation, and not over-engineering the UI.
It’s still very much an MVP, and I’m mainly trying to sanity-check the direction before going further. I’d love feedback from people here on:
* What matters most in a Mac trannoscription app: accuracy, latency, or simplicity
* Which export formats or metadata you actually use
* Things other macOS trannoscription apps get wrong or feel brittle
* Features you’d avoid or don’t want at all
Not trying to sell anything here but mostly looking to learn from folks who care about well-designed Mac apps. Happy to answer questions or go deeper on implementation if helpful.
Thanks!
https://redd.it/1pzd5kv
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the macapps community
BuhoLaunchpad - Probably the most familiar Launchpad alternative app
https://www.drbuho.com/buholaunchpad
https://redd.it/1pze776
@macappsbackup
https://www.drbuho.com/buholaunchpad
https://redd.it/1pze776
@macappsbackup
Dr.Buho
BuhoLaunchpad - Get the Launchpad Back on macOS 26
Missing Launchpad on macOS 26? BuhoLaunchpad brings it back, better than ever. Enjoy the classic experience with superior performance, seamless layout import, and powerful new features.
Mac requires something called Rosetta
Hi everyone, I recently bought my first MacBook, and wanted to install Steam on it. When I wanted to open it in the Finder, a pop-up came up saying that in order to download steam I have to download something called ROSETTA. Is it safe to download? I am new to MacOS so I have no idea. Will it slow my Mac down or something? Can someone explain this to me? Thank you very much!
(/submit/?sourceid=t31pzgyp5)
#
https://redd.it/1pzgz73
@macappsbackup
Hi everyone, I recently bought my first MacBook, and wanted to install Steam on it. When I wanted to open it in the Finder, a pop-up came up saying that in order to download steam I have to download something called ROSETTA. Is it safe to download? I am new to MacOS so I have no idea. Will it slow my Mac down or something? Can someone explain this to me? Thank you very much!
(/submit/?sourceid=t31pzgyp5)
#
https://redd.it/1pzgz73
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
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Taphouse Update: Thank you for an incredible launch week! Here's everything we've shipped (+ launch pricing ends Jan 3rd)
https://redd.it/1pzhixt
@macappsbackup
https://redd.it/1pzhixt
@macappsbackup
Launch Yes, another WisprFlow alternative called Pipit (but completely free)
I started this project about a year ago and have been using it myself for the past few months. Built to be fast, invisible, and actually free.
What's different?
It's a joy to use. Strong focus on UX. A lot of attention went into the hotkey behavior and workflow. Each action should save you a couple fractions of a second, which adds up.
You have access to your clipboard and voice trannoscriptions right from the menu bar. Most people don't use a clipboard manager, combining the two made sense to me.
There's also an adaptive self-learning dictionary, quick actions, and a bunch of small UX details that you probably won't notice but make the whole thing feel invisible. Formatting per app all happens seamlessly in the background and costs just \~25 cents per month with your own api key.
Free forever, no signups, no nonsense. I'll be continually updating it as better models release. Open source planned, but it is notarized and signed by Apple for now and works completely offline. Give it a shot!
https://www.pipitvoice.com/
https://preview.redd.it/greb3emn4dag1.png?width=1536&format=png&auto=webp&s=8684c09c1b71ce0c5e46dae94a2db8cf3976e38b
https://redd.it/1pzlipi
@macappsbackup
I started this project about a year ago and have been using it myself for the past few months. Built to be fast, invisible, and actually free.
What's different?
It's a joy to use. Strong focus on UX. A lot of attention went into the hotkey behavior and workflow. Each action should save you a couple fractions of a second, which adds up.
You have access to your clipboard and voice trannoscriptions right from the menu bar. Most people don't use a clipboard manager, combining the two made sense to me.
There's also an adaptive self-learning dictionary, quick actions, and a bunch of small UX details that you probably won't notice but make the whole thing feel invisible. Formatting per app all happens seamlessly in the background and costs just \~25 cents per month with your own api key.
Free forever, no signups, no nonsense. I'll be continually updating it as better models release. Open source planned, but it is notarized and signed by Apple for now and works completely offline. Give it a shot!
https://www.pipitvoice.com/
https://preview.redd.it/greb3emn4dag1.png?width=1536&format=png&auto=webp&s=8684c09c1b71ce0c5e46dae94a2db8cf3976e38b
https://redd.it/1pzlipi
@macappsbackup
Pipit
Pipit — #1 Voice-to-Text App for macOS
The best voice-to-text app for macOS. Lightning-fast, private, and free.
Apple Notes Exporter Pro - Export & Keep Backup Of All Apple Notes in single click to 8 formats (PDF, Word, Markdown, HTML, etc.)
https://redd.it/1pzjnsh
@macappsbackup
https://redd.it/1pzjnsh
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit: Apple Notes Exporter Pro - Export & Keep Backup Of All Apple Notes in single click to 8 formats…
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