Peek Documentation

Peek Documentation

Peek for macOS

Peek is a lightweight desktop AI assistant for quick questions, automatically saved chats, saved-chat memory, plans, code, Quick Copy, Vision, quizzes, links, and shortcuts. This page covers setup, daily use, plans, limits, permissions, Vision, Quick Copy, chat behavior, and troubleshooting.

Getting Started Troubleshooting Back to Documentation

Getting Started

Peek is designed for fast everyday use. Open the app, accept the required Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, then ask a question from the main Ask view.

  • Launch Peek and allow any required permissions when prompted.
  • Review and accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy to enable chat.
  • The accept button includes a short confirmation animation after you accept.
  • Peek automatically selects and manages a safe AI model for you in the background.
  • Type a prompt in the Ask field and submit to start a conversation.
  • Use Settings to adjust chat behavior, app options, notifications, clipboard behavior, Vision, and support options.

Chat Basics

Peek uses a clean transcript-style chat view designed to feel smooth while conversations grow.

  • Assistant replies are capped per response for performance and readability.
  • Peek handles model readiness and refresh in the background rather than asking you to pick one manually.
  • Responses reveal word by word while the answer is being written.
  • The Ask button changes to Hmm while Peek is thinking.
  • The transcript follows new text automatically while Peek writes.
  • You can scroll away while Peek is writing, then scroll back to the bottom to resume live autoscroll.
  • Chats are saved automatically as you use Peek.
  • Code, markdown, links, and plain text are supported directly in the chat view.
  • Very large chats may reach app limits, and Peek may ask you to start a new chat to keep things responsive.

Plans and Limits

Peek includes Free and Peek Pro plans. Both use the same core app experience, but usage limits, saved-chat memory depth, request pacing, and Vision time can differ by plan.

  • AI requests: Free includes 25 per day; Peek Pro includes 250 per day.
  • Saved-chat memory: Free includes basic automatic memory; Peek Pro includes deeper automatic memory.
  • Request pacing: Free uses standard pacing; Peek Pro has higher pacing so you can send requests more often.
  • Response length: both plans are capped at 3500 characters per reply.
  • Prompt length: Free supports 500 characters; Peek Pro supports 1000 characters.
  • Vision watch: Free supports up to 30 seconds; Peek Pro supports up to 5 minutes.
  • See the Free vs Peek Pro page for the full plan comparison.

Saved Chats

Peek automatically saves chats so useful answers, workflows, stories, code, and reference conversations stay available inside the app.

  • Chats are saved automatically as you use Peek.
  • Open the Saved tab to browse previous chats.
  • Use the Saved search bar to find previous chats.
  • Pin important saved chats to keep them at the top of the Saved list.
  • Pinned chats are protected from Smart Cleanup.
  • Peek can automatically use relevant saved-chat excerpts when your prompt clearly refers back to something saved.
  • Saved-chat memory works in the background; you do not need to manually select chats.
  • Peek Pro can use deeper saved-chat memory than Free while still working automatically.
  • Saved-chat memory is for context only; it does not change or delete your saved chats.

Vision

Vision lets Peek watch your screen for a short session when you explicitly start it, then summarize what happened and provide useful takeaways.

  • Vision requires macOS screen recording permission before use.
  • Vision only runs when you start it inside Peek.
  • Session length depends on your current plan: 30 seconds on Free and 5 minutes on Peek Pro.
  • Peek automatically adapts its Vision response based on what it sees.
  • Vision can recognize work like coding, research, studying, creative writing, troubleshooting, browsing, and general activity.
  • If several types of work happen in one session, Peek can combine them into one useful summary.
  • Longer Vision sessions can include more context, clearer timelines, and better takeaways while still staying within Peek’s response limits.
  • Captured screen context is used for the current Vision request and is not stored as saved chat images.

Quick Copy

Quick Copy is an optional chat setting for copying directly from Peek responses without selecting text manually.

  • Enable or disable Quick Copy in Chat Settings.
  • Single-click assistant text to copy a word.
  • Double-click assistant text to copy a section.
  • Click the Peek label above a response to copy that full response.
  • Click a code block header, such as HTML, CSS, Swift, or JavaScript, to copy that code block.
  • Peek response copy and code block copy include small visual confirmation animations.
  • The You label is not copyable, so user messages are not copied by label-clicking.
  • Quick Copy works after the response finishes writing.
  • Auto-clear clipboard can remove Peek-copied text 1 minute after you leave Peek.

App Settings

App Settings include optional behavior controls for how Peek opens, feels, and responds to everyday use.

  • Global shortcut can open or dismiss Peek from the keyboard.
  • The global shortcut is off by default.
  • You can enable and configure it in Settings > App.
  • If you want to use a mouse side button, map that mouse button to Peek’s keyboard shortcut in your mouse software.
  • Peek can use softer hover behavior on app controls without moving the window while clicking buttons.

Quizzes

Peek can create interactive quizzes that run directly inside the chat bubble.

  • Ask Peek to make a quiz and it can start an interactive quiz inside the chat.
  • Quiz answers are selected directly inside Peek.
  • Peek shows whether each selected answer is correct or incorrect.
  • You can exit a quiz and resume it later from the same chat.
  • Completed quizzes are remembered in the chat instead of restarting from the beginning.
  • Inactive quiz sessions can expire automatically so old quizzes do not stay active forever.
  • PDF export includes quiz information and selected answers when available.

Vision Modes

You do not need to pick a Vision mode manually. Peek decides what kind of summary is useful based on the screen activity it sees.

  • Coding mode focuses on files, code changes, errors, warnings, debugging clues, and next steps.
  • Research mode focuses on pages, topics, comparisons, sources, and key findings.
  • Study mode focuses on concepts, learning material, definitions, and what to review next.
  • Creative mode focuses on writing, design, planning, ideas, and progress made during the session.
  • Troubleshooting mode focuses on visible problems, likely causes, and practical fixes.
  • General activity mode gives a clear summary when the screen does not fit one specific category.

Chat Performance

Peek includes safeguards so long conversations remain usable without extra setup.

  • The chat transcript is designed to stay responsive in long chats.
  • Current-chat context can be compacted internally before sending a request so Peek does not need to send the entire transcript every time.
  • Compaction is used for AI context only; it does not delete the saved chat from the app.
  • Saved-chat memory can use compact summaries or excerpts to keep requests efficient.
  • Chats still have size limits so the app can remain fast and reliable.
  • If a chat becomes too large to continue, start a new chat.

Smart Cleanup

Smart Cleanup helps keep saved chats tidy without requiring manual cleanup.

  • Smart Cleanup is optional and can be turned on or off in Chat Settings.
  • It starts when saved chats exceed 30.
  • It prioritizes keeping recent, active, pinned, and currently selected chats.
  • It removes older unused chats first when cleanup is needed.
  • If the saved list is still over the limit, Peek may trim the oldest overflow chats so the saved list stays manageable.
  • Smart Cleanup does not delete the chat you are currently using.
  • Smart Cleanup does not delete pinned chats.

Troubleshooting

If Peek is not behaving as expected, check the basics first before reinstalling or resetting anything.

  • If the model is not ready, confirm your connection and try reopening the app.
  • If chat is unavailable, make sure Terms of Use and Privacy Policy have been accepted.
  • If Vision does not start, confirm screen recording permissions in macOS settings.
  • If Vision gives a broad summary, try a longer session or keep the relevant window visible while Vision is running.
  • If saved-chat memory does not recall something, make sure the chat still exists and ask with a clear reference.
  • If a pinned chat is not being cleaned up, that is expected; pinned chats are protected from Smart Cleanup.
  • If the global shortcut does not work, make sure it is enabled in Settings > App and includes a modifier key.
  • If a mouse side button does not open Peek, map the mouse button to Peek’s keyboard shortcut in your mouse software.
  • If auto-clear clipboard does not clear immediately, remember it only starts after you leave Peek and only clears unchanged Peek-copied text.
  • If Quick Copy feels distracting, turn it off in Chat Settings.
  • If Quick Copy does not copy a response, make sure the response has finished writing.
  • If a response looks unusual, try asking again with a shorter or clearer prompt.
  • If a chat becomes too large to continue, start a new chat to keep Peek fast and responsive.

Support and Legal

Peek uses hosted AI features and may require an internet connection for core chat functionality. For policy and subscription details, use the links below.