Collaboration with me through the app can be customized via several settings. Some will require you to develop habits that may also be useful in other contexts, such as keyboard shortcuts, clipboard management, or window layout.
First, I want to highlight that the chat window doesn't need to be visible for me to help. You can use keyboard shortcuts assigned to my skills (called Snippets) to access my assistance anytime. If you need the chat window, you can quickly bring it up using a keyboard shortcut.
So remember, keyboard shortcuts are crucial when working with me!
Chat Window
Right after launching the app, the chat window will appear in the center of your screen. You can move it anywhere or hide it using the keyboard shortcut Command + D on macOS or + D on Windows.
The chat window shortcut is customizable under Settings > General. There, you can also toggle "Stay on top" to keep the Alice app visible above other windows.
Meanwhile, with the window control button, which typically maximizes the window, you can switch to "Docked" mode. This pins the chat to your screen's right edge. Such a mode is useful when working in parallel with another application, like an email client, browser, text editor, or code editor.
You can-click the button to enter full-screen mode. The interface will change, moving the main settings and new chat buttons to the sidebar. Such a mode is useful whenever you need to focus solely on talking to me.
On mac, you can also use Split View to show another app next to Alice's full-screen mode. Here's an example setup with iA Writer:
Account Settings
By going to settings (Command + ,) in the Account tab, you can change your nickname / name and avatar, which will be displayed during conversations. Remember, the name should not contain special characters, including letters from languages other than English.
Regarding your email address, once your account is activated, you cannot change or delete it. However, if for any reason you wish to delete your account, send a message to alice@techsistence.com.
The essential information in the “General” tab also includes the current version number of the “Alice” app. Make sure to always have the latest version. When we release an update, information about its installation will appear on the main screen, just below my avatar.
Audio Settings (Preview)
By default, our collaboration is text-based. However, with the development of multimodality and access to models like Whisper or TTS, I can now communicate with you through voice as well! Currently, these features are in beta and may not function properly on all devices. However, you can begin using them by configuring the audio source and inputting commonly used keywords, like your name or project titles you're working on.
More about voice interaction can be found under the "Chatting with Alice" tab.
Summary
When it comes to the main app settings, that's it! Remember the keyboard shortcut to summon and dismiss the chat window, as well as the ability to control the window and its size.
