A Mac launcher with local AI, and your own keys when you want them

Ask AI in Ferrocast is a streaming chat with conversation history. Out of the box it talks to Ollama on your own Mac, so nothing leaves it. You can switch to LM Studio, any OpenAI-compatible server, the Anthropic API with your key, or Claude Code with your Claude subscription, from a menu in the chat.

Ferrocast is free and open source (MIT); there is no AI plan to buy. In Raycast, AI and bringing your own key are part of the paid plans (raycast.com/pricing, checked 27 October 2026).

Download FerrocastFree · MIT · Apple Silicon · no account

Providers, and where your text goes

AI providers supported by Ferrocast and whether the text leaves the Mac
Provider	How Ferrocast uses it	Leaves your Mac?
Ollama (default)	An OpenAI-compatible server running on your Mac; preset in Settings → AI.	No
LM Studio	Same, with its own preset.	No
OpenAI and other OpenAI-compatible servers	Your API key, stored in the Keychain; models listed from the server.	Yes, to that provider
Anthropic API	Your own key, stored in the Keychain.	Yes, to Anthropic
Claude Code	The official CLI with your Claude subscription, tools off, one warm session while the chat is open.	Yes, to Anthropic
Sign in with ChatGPT	The OAuth flow Codex CLI uses, so a ChatGPT plan answers without an API key. OpenAI has not approved third-party use of it.	Yes, to OpenAI

From the Ask AI docs. Test connection in Settings → AI asks the server for its model list.

Set up local AI in a few minutes

Install Ollama. Install Ollama from ollama.com and download a model with ollama pull followed by the model name.
Install Ferrocast. Download the DMG or install it with Homebrew.
Check the connection. In Settings → AI, keep the Ollama preset and press Test connection; pick a model from the list.
Ask. Open Ask AI from the launcher and type. Switch provider or model from the chip in the chat.

Install Ferrocast with Homebrew

brew tap drumst0ck/ferrocast
brew install drumst0ck/ferrocast/ferrocast
ln -sfn "$(brew --prefix)/opt/ferrocast/Ferrocast.app" \
  /Applications/Ferrocast.app
open /Applications/Ferrocast.app

Where else the AI is used

Translate selected text: drag a selection, tap ⌘ and drop it on a language; the translation replaces the text where it can. See Translate.
Notes: AI commands in the floating notes window. See Notes.
Each feature can use its own provider and model.

Limits

Ask AI does not read your screen or the current selection; you paste what you want to ask about.
Sign in with ChatGPT is a grey area of OpenAI’s terms; an API key is the by-the-book route.
ChatGPT and Claude subscriptions do not include API access, which is why they are offered through sign-in and Claude Code.
Local models need the memory and disk space Ollama or LM Studio asks for.

Related guides

Questions

Is there a Mac launcher that works with Ollama?

Yes. Ferrocast’s Ask AI talks to Ollama on your Mac by default, through its OpenAI-compatible server, and keeps the chat on your Mac.

Can I use LM Studio instead of Ollama?

Yes. Settings → AI has an LM Studio preset; Ferrocast lists the models the server reports.

Can I use my Claude subscription?

Yes, through Claude Code, the official CLI, if it is installed. Ferrocast runs it with tools off and keeps one session warm while the chat is open.

Do I need a subscription for AI in Ferrocast?

No. Ferrocast has no paid plan. A local model is free; cloud providers bill you directly for your own key.

Are my API keys safe?

Keys are stored in the macOS Keychain, not in Ferrocast’s settings files.

What languages is Ferrocast available in?

English, plus Spanish, German, French, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese and Simplified Chinese. It follows the macOS language order, or Settings → General → Language. The choice stays on that Mac and is not synced. Anything not translated yet shows in English. Names you type and what Raycast extensions show are never translated.