explaingit

gonemedia/aipointer

Analysis updated 2026-05-18

98TypeScriptAudience · generalComplexity · 2/5LicenseSetup · easy

TLDR

A desktop overlay app that answers AI questions about whatever your cursor is pointing at, using your own API key and no telemetry.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((AIPointer))
    What it does
      Cursor-anchored AI answers
      Screenshot plus question
      Voice in and out
      Slash commands
    Tech stack
      Electron
      React
      TypeScript
      Tailwind CSS
    Providers
      OpenRouter
      Anthropic
      OpenAI
      Gemini
    Features
      Child Mode
      Auto updater
      No telemetry

Code map

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filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Hold a hotkey over any content on screen to get an instant AI explanation, translation, or summary.

USE CASE 2

Use voice input and output for a hands-free question-and-answer loop while working.

USE CASE 3

Save AI answers as styled HTML, PDF, or Markdown documents for later reference.

What is it built with?

TypeScriptElectronReactTailwind CSS

How does it compare?

gonemedia/aipointerbrowser-use/browsercodeardupilot/node-mavlink
Stars989796
LanguageTypeScriptTypeScriptTypeScript
Last pushed2025-08-26
MaintenanceQuiet
Setup difficultyeasymoderatemoderate
Complexity2/53/53/5
Audiencegeneraldeveloperdeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

Requires your own API key from a provider such as OpenRouter, Anthropic, OpenAI, or Gemini.

Permissive MIT license, use freely for any purpose, including commercial use.

In plain English

AIPointer is a desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux that lets you ask AI questions about anything on your screen by just hovering your cursor over it. Hold a keyboard shortcut, Right-Cmd on Mac, Right-Ctrl on Windows and Linux, a translucent panel opens next to your cursor, and you type your question. The app takes a screenshot of the area around your cursor, sends it along with your question to an AI service, and displays the answer, typically in under two seconds. You bring your own API key from one of several AI providers and pay directly for what you use. No data is sent to any other servers, and there is no telemetry or usage tracking. The app works completely offline from the AIPointer service's own perspective, it just connects directly to whichever AI provider you choose. Built-in slash commands let you quickly summarize, translate, explain, write code, improve text, define words, solve math problems, or identify objects. You can also ask in plain language without any special commands. Answers can be saved as HTML, PDF, or Markdown files. Additional features include voice input, so you can speak your question instead of typing, voice output that reads the answer aloud, a hands free loop mode for voice-first interaction, mouse-wiggle activation where shaking the cursor left and right quickly opens the panel, and a child safe mode with restricted content and tools. Seven built-in action tools let the AI open URLs, copy text, launch apps, and more, each one requiring your manual approval before it runs. The app is open source under the MIT license and includes an automatic updater, light and dark themes, and a settings panel for adjusting providers, hotkeys, and voice preferences.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Install AIPointer from source and set it up with an OpenRouter API key.
Prompt 2
Explain how AIPointer's slash commands like /summary, /translate, and /code work.
Prompt 3
How do I enable Child Mode in AIPointer and set a PIN to lock it?
Prompt 4
Walk me through building a signed macOS distribution of AIPointer using electron-builder.

Frequently asked questions

What is aipointer?

A desktop overlay app that answers AI questions about whatever your cursor is pointing at, using your own API key and no telemetry.

What language is aipointer written in?

Mainly TypeScript. The stack also includes TypeScript, Electron, React.

What license does aipointer use?

Permissive MIT license, use freely for any purpose, including commercial use.

How hard is aipointer to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is aipointer for?

Mainly general.

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