First-time setup

The first time you open MeetCap, it asks a few questions and requests two permissions. After that, it stays in the menu bar. MeetCap downloads speech recognition in the background while you answer, and you can record before the download finishes.

You can also set up in Terminal with meetcap setup. It asks the same questions in the same order (see Set up in Terminal). If you’ve already set up there, the app doesn’t ask again.

1. Choose a language

The app, the command line, and the minutes use this language. Transcripts stay in the language spoken, and you can get the minutes in the other language later.

By default, the system language is selected.

The first time you set up MeetCap on a computer, the button reads Agree and continue. Clicking it means you agree to the Terms of Use and the Privacy Notice. MeetCap asks only once per computer. If you set up in Terminal, meetcap setup asks you to agree in a separate question after you choose a language.

Step 1 of 6

Choose a language

The app, the command line, and the minutes use this language. Transcripts stay in the language spoken, and you can get the minutes in the other language later.

中文

English

Continue

2. Choose how to use MeetCap

Choose Set it up yourself. MeetCap account is not available yet.

Recording and speech recognition stay on this computer. This choice is about who writes the summaries and minutes.

3. Download support for speech recognition

This screen lists what MeetCap downloads and how big it is. On a computer that doesn’t have any of it yet, the download is about 420 MB, and it takes about 500 MB once installed. Speech is recognized on this computer, and recordings never leave it.

Click Download and continue. The download continues while you answer the rest, with a progress bar at the bottom of each screen. If you record before it finishes, MeetCap saves the recording and fills in the transcript once speech recognition is ready.

Step 3 of 6

Download the speech recognition model

Speech is recognized on this computer, and recordings never leave it.

Turn speech into textTranscribes everything that’s said, even when people mix Chinese and English.

Tell who is speakingMarks who said each sentence, and recognizes people you’ve named in later meetings.

Live captionsCaptions appear as people speak during a meeting.

420 MB to downloadAbout 500 MB once installed

BackDownload and continue

4. Choose where to keep your meetings

Notes and transcripts are kept in this folder. Recordings stay on this computer.

By default, the folder is iCloud Drive › MeetCap, so your other Macs can open the same meetings. On a Mac that syncs Obsidian with iCloud, the default is iCloud Drive › Obsidian › MeetCap (see Use MeetCap with Obsidian). If this Mac doesn’t use iCloud Drive, the default is Documents › MeetCap. To use another folder, for example one in OneDrive, click Change.

5. Write summaries and minutes with

An AI writes summaries during the meeting, then corrects the transcript and writes the minutes. Choose one. You can change it anytime in Settings › Minutes.

• Your own API key. Use your own API key for an OpenAI-compatible service or the Claude API. Enter the endpoint and the API key. Click Test connection, then choose a model. Before saving, MeetCap asks you to agree that transcript text is sent to the endpoint you entered. Recordings stay on this computer.
• Your agent, run by MeetCap. MeetCap runs an agent on this computer in the background, such as Claude Code, Codex, or Qoder. Choose the agent. You can leave Model and Reasoning effort at Default. Click Try it to check that it works. Under Folder access, click Allow so the agent can read files in folders such as Documents. The agent uses them to get names, terms, and background right in the minutes. macOS asks once for each folder.
• Your agent, when you ask it. Ask your agent for the minutes in its own chat window. MeetCap won’t start it for you.
• This computer. A local model writes them, and the transcript text never leaves this computer. You don’t need an agent or an API key. After a long meeting, the minutes take a while to be ready, and they’re less accurate than with the other options, so check figures, names and decisions before you rely on them. If the model isn’t downloaded yet, the option shows its size. Click Download and continue, and MeetCap downloads it after the speech recognition files, in the same progress bar. See This computer.

Step 5 of 6

Write summaries and minutes with

An AI writes summaries during the meeting, then corrects the transcript and writes the minutes. Pick one; you can change it anytime.

Your own API keyUse your own API key for an OpenAI-⁠compatible service or the Claude API. Text is sent to the endpoint you enter.

Your agent, run by MeetCapMeetCap runs an agent on this computer in the background. Nothing for you to do.

Agent

Claude Code

Model

Default (use Claude Code’s own setting)

Reasoning effort

Default

Try it

Folder accessThe agent may refer to files in Documents and OneDrive to get names, terms, and background right in the minutes. You’ll be asked once for each folder.

AllowOpen System SettingsWaiting for your answer

Your agent, when you ask itAsk your agent for them in its own chat window. MeetCap won’t start it for you.

This computerTranscript text stays on this computer. This option needs a one-⁠time download of a local model, about 5.1 GB, and it’s slower and less accurate than the other options.

Downloading the speech recognition model26%

BackContinue

6. Allow two permissions

MeetCap needs two permissions, used only while recording:

• Microphone lets MeetCap record your side of the meeting.
• System audio lets MeetCap record what this computer plays, including the other side of the meeting.

Click Allow and answer the two system prompts. Each permission then shows Allowed or Denied. If you deny one, click Open System Settings next to it and turn it on. This screen updates when you come back. If macOS doesn’t let MeetCap read your answer for system audio, that permission shows Asked. See Permissions.

7. You’re all set

MeetCap is in the menu bar at the top right of the screen. Click Get started.

 

You’re all set

From now on, MeetCap lives in the menu bar.

Tue 10:02 AM

MeetCap is in the menu bar at the top right of the screen — this icon

Before a meeting, click it, then “Start recording”During the meeting, see summaries and captions, or pin them on screen.

After the meeting, open “All meetings”The minutes, transcript, and recording are all there, ready to share.

The speech recognition model is ready

Get started

Set up in Terminal

meetcap setup

It asks the same questions in the same order. Use ↑ and ↓ to choose, then press Return. When everything is done, it ends with: “You’re all set. Run meetcap start before a meeting; afterwards, the minutes and transcript are in your meeting library.”

To give every answer at once, as agents do, see meetcap setup --help.

Next

Your first meeting