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The Bottom Line
- Price
- Free, no paid tier. Compare plans
Key facts
- A lightweight AI chat panel for macOS that sits beside your Dock, accessible via a global shortcut.
- Supports multiple AI providers (Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Amazon Bedrock, etc.) and lets you switch models in the same conversation.
- Bring your own AI account; conversations and settings are stored locally on your Mac.
Pros
- Quick access via a universal keyboard shortcut keeps you in your flow
- Bring-your-own-provider approach means you control costs and data
- Lightweight, unobtrusive interface that lives beside the Dock
Cons
- Requires your own AI provider account and may incur usage charges
- Limited to text chat; doesn't read your screen or run shell commands
What is Side?
Side is a macOS-first desktop app that brings your favorite AI models into a compact chat panel living beside your Dock. It's designed for the small moments in your workflow: a quick question in the middle of a thought, a sentence that needs another pass, or an idea you want to talk through. With a global shortcut, it's always one keystroke away, and you can expand the panel when you need more room for a longer conversation.
The app supports multiple AI providers, including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Amazon Bedrock, and more through Pi. You connect your own provider account, choose a model, and switch models mid-conversation without ever leaving the panel. Responses stream in as they arrive, and you can stop a reply at any time. Conversations and settings are saved locally on your Mac, so you can resume a chat or start fresh whenever you like.
Side is built for Apple Silicon Macs, is signed and Apple notarized, and keeps a minimal footprint. It's a focused, distraction-free companion that stays out of your way until you need it.
Louis Corneloup Source side.qyinm.xyz ↗
Key Features
- Global shortcut (Command+Shift+Space) to show or hide the panel
- Compact panel beside the Dock, expandable for longer conversations
- Supports multiple AI providers including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Amazon Bedrock
- Switch models within the same conversation without opening another app
- Streaming responses with the ability to stop a reply mid-generation
- Local storage of conversations and model settings for resume or new sessions
- Designed for Apple Silicon Macs; signed and Apple notarized
Pricing
Free
Side is completely free to use with no hidden costs.
Reviews
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Side FAQ
How does Side help during a typical writing workflow?
Side appears beside your Dock with a global shortcut, letting you ask a quick question or refine a sentence without leaving your main application. It is designed for the small moments in your workflow, such as rephrasing a sentence or talking through an idea. The compact panel expands when you need more room for a longer conversation.
How does Side differ from Raycast?
Side is a dedicated chat panel that lives beside your Dock and focuses exclusively on AI conversations, while Raycast is a broader productivity tool with many features. Side lets you bring your own AI provider account and switch models mid-conversation, and it saves all conversations locally on your Mac. Raycast offers AI features but with a different interface and approach.
What are the main limitations of Side?
Side requires you to connect your own AI provider account, which may incur usage charges from that provider. It is limited to text chat and does not read your screen or run shell commands. The app is designed for focused text conversations, not for automating actions or accessing visual content.
What kind of user benefits most from Side?
Users who want a lightweight, distraction-free AI companion that stays out of the way until needed will benefit most from Side. It suits professionals who need quick access to AI for small tasks during their workflow, such as writers, developers, or researchers. The bring-your-own-provider model also appeals to users who want to control costs and data privacy.
How is Side priced?
Side is free to use and requires no paid plan. You only pay for the AI provider accounts you connect, such as Anthropic or OpenAI, which may have their own usage charges. The app itself has no subscription or purchase cost.
Can I switch AI models during a conversation in Side?
Yes, you can switch models mid-conversation without ever leaving the panel. Side supports multiple providers including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Amazon Bedrock. You connect your own account, choose a model, and change it at any time.
Does Side save my conversations?
Conversations and settings are saved locally on your Mac, so you can resume a chat or start fresh whenever you like. This local storage ensures your data stays on your device. You can also stop a reply at any time while responses stream in.
How do I access Side quickly while working?
Side is always one keystroke away with a global shortcut that you can set. It appears as a compact chat panel beside your Dock, so you can ask a question or get help without switching windows. The panel expands when you need more space for a longer conversation.
Source: side.qyinm.xyz