Show HN: I Built Fluent – macOS AI Writing Assistant

Hacker News - AI
Jul 10, 2025 11:35
importnil
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Summary

A developer has launched Fluent, a native macOS AI writing assistant that offers instant text translation and improvement across any app via a Spotlight-like smart panel. Fluent supports formatted content in Chrome-based apps, customizable shortcuts, and integration with both cloud and local AI models, all without a subscription model. This tool highlights growing demand for seamless, user-controlled AI writing assistants that prioritize privacy and flexibility.

Hey HN, I've poured months of daily effort into something that, in my opinion, works better than native Apple Intelligence. My life & work include two foreign languages besides my native one. I wanted a handy tool that instantly translates or improves text I select, in any app. That's how the idea to build a fluid, fast "smart panel" was born. What does Fluent offer? - Most Wanted: Fluent can enable you to instantly fix, improve, and replace *formatted* content in Chrome-based apps (Chrome itself, Slack, Notion, etc.) with a single shortcut. - In general, a Spotlight-like Smart Panel that is fast & fluid, as it's a native Swift app. - Allows you to create actions with customizable shortcuts. - Supports any OpenAI-compatible provider. Allows you to add custom providers easily. - Local models: MLX, Ollama, LM Studio. - BYOK (Bring Your Own Key). No subscriptions. No "1-year updates," etc. Just a lifetime license. - A freemium version is available to test out the features. I presented Flu