Voice-controlled Mac actions
Hold Control-Option-Space to speak, or configure a press-to-toggle mode. Atticus transcribes speech on the Mac and shows a review option when a toggle recording runs long.
Atticus
Atticus is a free, open-source voice assistant for Mac that controls apps, windows, files, settings, and screen content through spoken requests. It uses Claude Code with an existing Claude Pro or Max plan, or Devin CLI with a Devin plan, and supports learned shortcuts and background agents.
Voice assistant for Mac
Atticus is a free, open-source voice assistant for macOS. Users invoke it with Control-Option-Space, describe an action, and can have it operate across apps, windows, files, settings, web pages, and screen content. It is intended for people who want to control routine Mac tasks by voice rather than by repeated manual interaction.
The assistant uses an existing Claude Pro or Max plan through Claude Code, or a Devin plan through the Devin CLI, so the repository says no separate API key is required. It also supports on-device speech transcription, persistent remembered information, learned shortcuts, and background agents for larger requests. The documented installer requires macOS 26 or later and Apple's command line tools.
Features
Screen and window control
Use native Accessibility controls to interact with apps, windows, files, settings, web pages, and screen content, including clicking, scrolling, and typing.
Memory and learned shortcuts
Saved facts, rules, and corrections carry into later requests. Users can edit the stored information in Settings and define phrases that trigger multi-step actions.
Background agents
Longer requests can be delegated to background agents while the user continues working. A chip displays progress, live steps, and a mini screen; spoken instructions can steer a running agent.
Permission and command safeguards
Safe mode places AI commands in Claude Code's sandbox, asks before destructive or external actions, blocks commands such as rm, sudo, disk tools, and shutdown, and records exact commands in the ask log.
Instant commands
Built-in actions can skip AI for tasks such as opening apps, moving windows, searching the web, and playing music. The repository reports an app-opening time of 0.08 seconds and a learned shortcut example improving from 5.5 seconds to 0.4 seconds.
Use cases
Managing a multi-display workspace
Arrange applications across multiple displays, bring a window forward, or open a program using a spoken request. Repeated arrangements can be saved as a learned shortcut.
Finding notes and documents
Search files by their contents and open a matching document on another screen, which is useful when the file name or location is not known.
Reading and drafting on-screen content
Ask Atticus to inspect visible code or summarize an article on screen. For messages, it can read the email, draft a response, and insert it at the cursor without sending it.
Running longer tasks in the background
Delegate a larger research or shopping task to a background agent, monitor its progress, and refine the request while continuing other work.
Launching personal routines
Define a phrase such as “focus mode” to close one app and open another, then reuse that phrase as a personal workflow shortcut.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free and open source, with no separate API key required when using the supported Claude or Devin plan routes.
- On-device speech transcription keeps voice audio on the Mac according to the repository documentation.
- Can combine voice requests with Mac Accessibility controls, memory, learned shortcuts, and background agents.
- Includes confirmation prompts, blocked high-risk commands, safe-mode sandboxing, and an ask log for exact commands.
Cons
- The documented installer requires macOS 26 or later, which limits compatibility with older macOS versions.
- Use of AI-backed requests depends on a supported Claude or Devin plan and configured client; the source does not document a standalone mode for those requests.
- The available documentation is oriented toward individual Mac use and does not describe team administration or multi-user features.
FAQ
How is Atticus installed?
Atticus is installed from Terminal with the repository's install script. The script requires macOS 26 or later and Apple's command line tools, then downloads the source, builds the app, and opens it. The setup window guides the remaining configuration.
Does Atticus send voice recordings away from the Mac?
Atticus uses Apple's on-device speech recognition to turn voice into text, so the audio does not leave the Mac. The resulting request is confirmed before AI tools or learned shortcuts run.
Which AI services or plans does Atticus use?
The repository says Atticus runs through Claude Code using an existing Claude Pro or Max plan, or through the Devin CLI with a Devin plan. The specific AI client is selected in Settings → AI client.
Can Atticus handle commands without AI?
Yes. Atticus can run actions such as opening apps, moving windows, searching files, controlling supported on-screen interactions, and playing music without using AI in some cases. It can also learn repeated actions as shortcuts.
Does Atticus support teams or multiple users?
Atticus is designed for an individual Mac user rather than documented team administration. The available evidence does not describe multi-user management, shared workspaces, or team controls.
Quick Facts
- Category
- AI assistant
- Platform
- macOS
- License model
- Free and open source
- Voice shortcut
- Control-Option-Space
- AI client options
- Claude Code or Devin CLI
- Installation
- Terminal install script; macOS 26+ and Apple command line tools required
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