CogniMate.App Complete User Manual & Setup Guide

🚀 Getting Started with CogniMate.App on macOS

Installation & Setup

1. Download CogniMate.App from the official website or Mac App Store
2. Install by dragging the application to your Applications folder
3. Launch CogniMate.App from Applications or Spotlight
4. Grant Permissions when prompted for Screen Recording in System Settings > Privacy & Security
5. Configure API by entering your API key and server URL (default: https://api.cognimate.app)

Initial Configuration

• The application appears as a menu bar icon in the top-right corner
• Access settings by clicking the menu bar icon and selecting "Preferences"
• The app runs in the background and is always ready for capture

⌨️ Complete Keyboard Shortcuts for macOS

Keyboard Shortcut	AI Screen Capture Action	Mode
⌘⌥C	Toggle between Image Mode and Text Mode	Both
⌘J	Start/cancel region selection for OCR capture	Image
⌘K	Extract text from selected region and buffer In Text Mode: Add clipboard text to buffer	Both
⌘N	Process selected region or buffered text with AI (new conversation)	Both
⌘M	Process selection/buffer as AI conversation continuation	Both
⌘E	Close active AI result window	Both
⌘Arrow Keys	Reposition AI result windows precisely	Both
⌘,	Open application preferences	Both
⌘Q	Quit CogniMate.App	Both

📸 Image Mode Usage - Advanced AI Screen Capture

Single Region Capture with OCR

1. Activate: Press ⌘J to enter selection mode
2. Select: Click and drag to select the area containing text or content
3. Preview: A selection overlay shows dimensions and capture area
4. Process: Press ⌘N for new AI analysis or ⌘M to continue previous conversation
5. Review: AI response window appears with extracted text and intelligent analysis

Multi-Region Text Assembly

1. First Region: Press ⌘J, select area, then ⌘K to buffer text
2. Additional Regions: Repeat step 1 for each additional text area
3. Combine: Press ⌘N to process all buffered text as a single AI query
4. Smart Assembly: AI automatically understands context from multiple sources

📝 Text Mode Usage - Direct AI Processing

Instant Clipboard Analysis

1. Switch Mode: Press ⌘⌥C to activate Text Mode
2. Copy Text: Use ⌘C to copy text from any application
3. Process: Press ⌘N to send clipboard content to AI
4. Instant Results: AI response appears immediately with intelligent analysis

Building Complex Queries

1. First Text: Copy text, then press ⌘K to add to buffer
2. Additional Text: Copy more text and press ⌘K to append
3. Combine: Press ⌘N to process all buffered text together
4. Smart Context: AI understands relationships between text segments

Conversation Continuity

1. Initial Query: Process first text with ⌘N
2. Follow-up: Copy new text and press ⌘M
3. Context Maintained: AI remembers previous conversation for intelligent follow-ups

🖥️ Working with AI Results & Response Windows

Advanced Window Features

• Split View: Original request shown above, AI response below with clear separation
• Transparency Control: Dynamic slider in top-right for real-time opacity adjustment
• Code Highlighting: Automatic syntax highlighting with language detection
• One-Click Copy: Copy buttons for code blocks and formatted content
• Smart Resize: Windows automatically size based on content length

Window Management Excellence

• Precision Movement: Use ⌘Arrow Keys for pixel-perfect positioning
• Multiple Windows: Enable in settings to work with multiple AI responses simultaneously
• Focus Management: Latest response automatically gets focus
• Quick Close: ⌘E closes active window instantly

Code Block Intelligence

• Language Detection: Automatic identification and syntax highlighting
• Theme Sync: Code appearance matches your system dark/light mode
• Copy with Format: Preserves syntax highlighting when copying
• Line Numbers: Available for longer code segments

⚙️ Advanced Settings & AI Configuration

Privacy & Behavior Settings

• Screen Share Stealth: Automatically hide during Zoom, Teams, Meet calls (default: enabled)
• Multiple Windows: Allow simultaneous AI response windows (default: enabled)
• Capture Preview: Show image preview during OCR processing (default: disabled)
• Auto-transparency: Set default opacity for response windows
• Notification Level: Control status update frequency

AI Model & Server Configuration

• API Endpoint: Server URL for AI processing (default: https://api.cognimate.app)
• Authentication: Secure API key storage with validation
• Model Selection: Choose from OpenAI GPT, Anthropic Claude, or other providers
• Response Length: Configure preferred AI response detail level
• Processing Timeout: Set maximum wait time for AI responses

AI Personality Roles

• Assistant: General-purpose helpful AI for most tasks
• Genius: In-depth technical analysis with detailed explanations
• Interviewer: Socratic method to help explore your thoughts
• Translator: Specialized for language translation and interpretation
• Analyst: Data-focused with emphasis on insights and patterns

🛡️ Privacy Features & Stealth Mode

Intelligent Screen Sharing Detection

• Auto-Detection: Monitors for active screen sharing across platforms:
• Supported Apps: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Cisco WebEx, FaceTime, Discord, Skype, Slack, and more
• Instant Response: Windows become invisible immediately when sharing starts
• Smart Alerts: Gentle notifications if stealth mode is disabled during calls
• Manual Override: Option to remain visible when needed

Advanced Privacy Controls

• Window Level Control: Set visibility level for different screen recording types
• Process Monitoring: Real-time detection of recording software
• Privacy Indicators: Status indicators show current stealth mode state
• Selective Hiding: Choose which windows to hide during sharing

🔧 Troubleshooting & Common Issues

Permission & Setup Issues

• Screen Recording Permission: Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording, enable CogniMate.App
• Accessibility Permission: May be required for advanced features in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility
• Network Access: Ensure firewall allows CogniMate.App internet access
• Menu Bar Icon Missing: Check if app is running in Activity Monitor, restart if needed

OCR & Text Recognition Problems

• Poor Text Recognition: Ensure high contrast between text and background
• Complex Layouts: Use multiple smaller selections instead of one large area
• Handwritten Text: OCR works best with printed/digital text
• Small Text: Zoom in before capturing for better recognition
• Alternative: Switch to Text Mode for direct copy-paste when OCR fails

AI & Connection Issues

• API Key Problems: Verify key in Preferences, check for typos
• Server Connection: Test internet connection, verify server URL
• Slow Responses: Check server status, try different AI model
• Rate Limiting: Wait before making additional requests if hitting limits
• Model Unavailable: Switch to alternative AI provider in settings

Common Error Messages & Solutions

• "No text detected": Select area with visible, high-contrast text
• "Complete selection first": Finish dragging to complete region selection
• "API authentication failed": Check API key and server URL in settings
• "Screen sharing detection failed": Restart app to refresh system monitoring
• "Unable to capture screen": Grant Screen Recording permission in System Settings

Getting Technical Support

For additional assistance:

• Email: support@cognimate.app
• Website: Visit our support section at cognimate.app
• Documentation: Check our online knowledge base
• Community: Join our user community for tips and tricks

💡 Pro Tips & Best Practices

Optimizing OCR Accuracy

• Clean Selections: Select regions with minimal background noise
• Sufficient Padding: Include small margins around text for better recognition
• High Contrast: Works best with dark text on light backgrounds
• Proper Lighting: Ensure screen brightness is adequate
• Table Handling: Capture table headers and data separately for better parsing

AI Workflow Optimization

• Context Building: Use ⌘K to gather related information before processing
• Conversation Flow: Use ⌘M for follow-up questions to maintain context
• Role Selection: Choose appropriate AI personality for your task type
• Window Management: Position response windows for easy reference while working
• Quick Access: Keep frequently used shortcuts memorized for faster workflow

Privacy & Security Best Practices

• Sensitive Information: Be mindful of what content you send to AI
• Screen Sharing: Verify stealth mode is active during important calls
• API Security: Keep your API key secure and don't share it
• Data Handling: Understand your AI provider's data retention policies
• Local Processing: Consider local AI models for highly sensitive content

Advanced Usage Scenarios

• Research: Capture multiple sources and analyze together for comprehensive insights
• Code Review: Use Genius role for in-depth code analysis and suggestions
• Language Learning: Translator role for instant explanations and translations
• Meeting Support: Invisible assistance during presentations and interviews
• Document Analysis: Break down complex documents into digestible explanations