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QuickHub is the default. New users get floating QuickHub for fast chat; use the Hub for deep work. See QuickHub Mode and Edge Bar.

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Two Ways to Interact

The Hub

Full workspace with tabs, sidebar, and comprehensive management

QuickHub

Default floating panel for quick queries, attach workflows, and voice commands

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General Concept

Alter provides two main interfaces for interacting with AI:
The main window interface with tabs, sidebar, and comprehensive workspace management. Best for:
  • Extended conversations
  • Workspace management
  • Multi-tasking with multiple contexts
  • Reviewing meeting transcripts
The default lightweight panel (when QuickHub Mode is on). Open with ⌘⇧Space, from the Edge Bar, or attach beside any app with ⌃⌘← / ⌃⌘→. Perfect for:
  • Quick queries
  • Voice commands
  • Fast context additions
  • Side-by-side work with attach mode
When QuickHub Mode is off, hover the camera notch for the compact quick menu. Most users should keep QuickHub Mode enabled — see QuickHub Mode.

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Hub Interface

The Hub is divided into three main sections:
  1. Sidebar - Navigation for conversations, workspaces, transcripts, and more
  2. Main Content Area - Tabbed interface showing active content
  3. Input Area - Prompt box and context management

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Opening The Hub

1

Keyboard shortcut

Press Shift + Cmd + H
2

Menu bar

Select “Open The Hub” from the Alter menu bar icon
3

From a conversation

Open a conversation link from a floating panel

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Tab Types

Conversations

Chat sessions with AI models

Workspaces

Collections of files, folders, and apps

Transcripts

Meeting transcriptions and recordings

Calendar Events

Scheduled meetings and events

Scheduled Jobs

Automated tasks and workflows

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Split Panel

Split the Hub into two side-by-side conversation panes — each with its own tabs, prompt box, and context strip. Bridge context between panes by dragging context cards, using Add as Context to Other Pane, or typing @ to pick the conversation in the other pane.

Split Panel guide

Open split, move tabs between panes, and bridge context between conversations
Default shortcut: ⌘⌥N (Split Right). Close with ⌃⌘↓ or the × on the right tab bar.

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Keyboard Shortcuts

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Managing Contexts

1

Add context

Drag and drop files, or use @ in the prompt box
2

Navigate

Use arrow keys to move between contexts
3

Clear

Press Cmd + Shift + X to remove all contexts

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Inspector Panel

Conversation Details

Metadata, export options, sharing links

Context Management

See all contexts in current conversation

Workspace Info

Statistics, files, and settings
Toggle the Inspector using the sidebar icon or inspector button.

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QuickHub Interface

QuickHub (the default when QuickHub Mode is on) is divided into three sections:

1. Context

Your selected files, apps, and references

2. Prompt

Where you type or speak your request

3. Additional Selection

Quick access to models and actions
Use keyboard shortcuts in QuickHub:
  • ←, ↑, →, ↓ - Navigate between objects
  • Enter - Select an object
  • @ - Add elements to context
  • # - Show conversation history
  • > - Show meeting history
  • / - List and choose model
  • ? - Show help menu
See the Prompt Box section below for more keyboard shortcuts.

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The Context Section

The Context section displays elements sent to Alter for reference.

Files

Documents, images, audio files

Text Selection

Selected text from any app

Transcripts

Audio and YouTube transcripts

Folders

Entire directories

Workspaces

Saved workspace collections

Applications

Current app context

Web Pages

URLs and web content

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Keyboard Navigation

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Using Your Clipboard

Paste content directly: Cmd + V Your clipboard content is automatically added to Alter’s context.

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The Prompt Box

The Prompt Box is where the magic happens.
Start typing your prompt or an Alter Action title to send it to your AI model.

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Keyboard Shortcuts

Invoke Actions: Type any character in an Action’s title to trigger it!

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Help Menu

Help menu
Press ? in the prompt box to see all available shortcuts.

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Conversation Windows

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Resizing Windows

Customize conversation window size for your workflow:

Width

Drag edges horizontally to resize

Height

Drag edges vertically to resize

Layout

Fit alongside other applications

Persistent

Size is remembered for future sessions
Useful for: Side-by-side work, reviewing long documents, screen sharing, different display setups

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Continuous Speech-to-Prompt

Have extended voice conversations without touching your keyboard:
1

Hold voice hotkey

Press and hold Fn (or your configured key)
2

Speak naturally

Say your prompt out loud
3

Release

Let go to send to conversation
4

Keep going

Each voice prompt adds to the same thread
Hands-free workflow: Perfect for brainstorming, dictation, or when your hands are busy.

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Conversation History

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Managing Chat History

Access history by typing # in the prompt box or using The Hub’s sidebar.
History with tags

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Search and filter conversations

Find inside the open chat Press ⌘F in the Hub or QuickHub to search the current conversation. Use ⌘G and ⇧⌘G to jump between matches. The find bar stays scoped to the active tab. Search all Hub history Press ⇧⌘F (default) or click the sidebar search field to search across saved conversations and meeting transcripts. Results update as you type. Alter indexes history in the background; Doctor shows indexing progress when a rebuild is running. Filter the sidebar Click the filter icon in the Hub sidebar to narrow the conversation list: Each group supports All / None shortcuts inside the filter popover. Filters persist while the Hub is open and help when your history spans many workspaces or actions. Jump through long Hub chats In the Hub, a turn index appears beside longer conversations. Click a turn number to scroll directly to that message exchange without losing your place in a deep thread.

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Organizing with Tags

Add tags like #personal to categorize chats:
Search for conversations matching multiple tags.

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Renaming Conversations

1

Right-click

Right-click any conversation in the list
2

Select Rename

Choose Rename from the menu
3

Type new name

Give it a descriptive name

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Exporting Conversations

Export as markdown for documentation or sharing:
1

Find conversation

Locate it in the history
2

Right-click

Open the context menu
3

Select Export

Choose the Export option
4

Save

Choose location and save as .md file

Export Uses

  • Documentation
  • Sharing with team
  • Archiving important discussions
  • Using in other tools

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Right-to-left conversations

When macOS uses a right-to-left language layout, Hub and QuickHub conversations follow that direction automatically. Message order, the turn index, and context cards respect the active interface direction — no separate Alter setting is required.

QuickHub Mode

Default UX, attach/detach, and shortcuts

Edge Bar

Screen-edge launcher and Computer Use sessions

Core Features

Workspaces, Actions, and more

Keyboard Shortcuts

Complete shortcut reference