FAQ
Circl frequently asked questions
Last updated
Circl is a Mac app that sends a screenshot and your spoken request to any AI app. It costs $6.99/month after a 7-day free trial, runs on macOS 14 or later, and transcribes speech on your Mac. The answers below start with the short version.
What is Circl?
Circl is a Mac app that works with any AI app: hold a shortcut, circle part of your screen while you say what you want, and let go. The screenshot and your words land in ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Codex, Claude Code, Cursor or any other app with a text box. Circl sends them for you in Claude (the app and claude.ai), plus Codex CLI or Claude Code in Terminal; everywhere else it pastes them and you press Return. Speech is transcribed on your Mac. It is a paid macOS app, 7-day free trial, then $6.99/month.
How does Circl work?
Hold ⌘⇧2 (or the mouse button you picked), draw around part of your screen while you say what you want, and let go. Circl puts the screenshot and your words into your AI app’s text box. It sends them for you in Claude (the app and claude.ai), plus Codex CLI or Claude Code in Terminal; everywhere else you press Return. See how it works for the five steps.
How much does Circl cost?
$6.99/month after a 7-day free trial. It is one plan for one person, with no free tier. The checkout page shows the amount before you subscribe.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Circl is free for 7 days. Download Circl, open it and click Start 7-day free trial; after checkout in your browser, Circl activates by itself, with nothing to copy or paste. A card is required, and if you cancel before the trial ends you won’t be charged.
How do I cancel?
Open Manage billing on this site, or use Settings → Manage billing in the app. Cancellation stops future renewals and keeps access through the end of the current trial or paid period.
What do I need to use Circl?
A Mac with macOS 14 or later, a microphone, and an AI app to send to, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Cursor. Circl is tested on Apple silicon with macOS 15. Intel Macs and other macOS versions have not been tested.
Which AI apps does Circl work with?
Any AI app: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Codex, Claude Code, Cursor and basically any app with a text box. If it has a text box that takes images, Circl can put your screenshot and words into it. Circl presses Return for you in Claude (the app and claude.ai), plus Codex CLI or Claude Code in Terminal. Everywhere else, including the ChatGPT app and chatgpt.com, Gemini, Grok, Cursor and iTerm2, Circl pastes the screenshot and your words and you press Return.
Does Circl work with Claude Code?
Yes. Claude Code is one of many AI apps Circl works with. Circl is tested end to end with Claude Code in Terminal, as well as with Codex CLI. See Circl with Claude Code for an example in a terminal.
Does Circl work in a browser, a desktop app or a terminal?
Yes, all three. Use ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Grok in your browser or their desktop apps, an editor such as Cursor, or an agent in your terminal such as Codex or Claude Code.
Does Circl send my screenshots anywhere?
Only to your AI app, and only when you let go. Circl sends the screenshot and your words to the AI app you are using; after that, that service handles the content under its own policies. Turn on Review before sending to read the prompt before it goes. Circl’s servers never receive your screenshots, words or audio. See Privacy.
Where does my voice go?
Speech is transcribed on your Mac using Apple’s on-device speech recognition. Circl does not save or upload raw audio.
Does Circl include AI model usage?
No. Circl has no hosted AI and no API keys. It works with the AI apps and accounts you already use, and does not include any AI model usage.
Can I check the prompt before it’s sent?
Yes. Turn on Review before sending in Circl’s Settings. Your screenshot and words then wait in the text box, and you press Return to send. It is off by default, so in Claude (the app and claude.ai), plus Codex CLI or Claude Code in Terminal, letting go sends right away; everywhere else you press Return.
What permissions does Circl need, and why?
Screen Recording captures the area you circle. Accessibility lets Circl see your mouse button, bring your AI app forward and type into its text box. Microphone and Speech Recognition let it hear and transcribe you. You can revoke any of them in System Settings.
Is Circl on the Mac App Store?
No. Circl downloads directly from this site and updates itself. Every release is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple.
Does Circl work on Windows, iPhone or Linux?
No. Circl is for macOS only.
Is Circl the same as Circle to Search?
No, but the gesture is similar. Circle to Search is a Google feature for searching from your screen. Circl uses the same circle-it idea to send part of your Mac screen and your voice to any AI app, and it does not search the web. See Circle to Search on Mac.
How is Circl different from a dictation app?
A dictation app turns speech into text. Circl sends what you see as well as what you say: the area you circle goes to your AI app as a screenshot, together with your words, in one motion. See how Circl compares.
What languages does Circl understand?
Circl uses your Mac’s language setting for on-device recognition, as far as macOS has an on-device speech model for it. Check System Settings for the dictation languages available on your Mac.
Where do I get help?
Start with Setup & help. It covers permissions, mouse buttons, missing words, activation on a new Mac, updates, and a diagnostic summary that never includes screenshots or dictated words. You can also send feedback from the app with Circl → Send feedback….
Try Circl
7-day free trial, then $6.99/month. macOS 14 or later. A card is required for the trial; cancel before it ends and you won’t be charged.