First Launch
What to expect when you open Dial8 for the first time.
When you first launch Dial8, you'll be guided through a setup wizard that configures everything you need.
Onboarding Steps
1. Welcome & Sign In
You can optionally sign in with Apple, Google, or GitHub. Signing in enables cloud sync for your notes, goals, contacts, and settings. You can also use Dial8 without an account.
2. Automatic Setup
Dial8 automatically downloads and configures the required components:
- Whisper model — The speech-to-text AI model
- TTS voice — The neural text-to-speech voice
- Python runtime — For AI agent execution
- Node.js runtime — For MCP server support
Progress indicators show the status of each download. This typically takes 1-2 minutes.
3. Microphone Permission
You'll be prompted to grant microphone access for all voice features.
4. Accessibility Permission
You'll be guided to System Settings to grant accessibility access for text insertion and selection detection.
5. Hotkey Setup
Configure the Function (Fn) key as your primary AI chat hotkey. The wizard tests that the key is working correctly.
Your onboarding progress is saved — if you quit the app mid-setup, you'll resume where you left off.
After Setup
Once onboarding is complete, you'll see the main Dial8 window with:
- Dashboard — Your daily command center with tasks and AI insights
- Menu bar icon — Quick access from the menu bar
- Hotkeys active — Option to dictate, Control to read text, Fn to chat with AI
Next Steps
- Set up your AI models to enable the AI assistant
- Configure your keyboard shortcuts
- Record your first voice note