Capture, use, clear.

Quick start

1. Select text in any app and double-tap Shift to save it immediately as an active note.
2. With nothing selected, double-tap Shift to show or hide the CueStash sidecar.
3. Press Return to save a note or Shift–Return for a new line.
4. Press Option–Return to send the current text to your selected Quick Ask model and get a concise answer in place.
5. Type # Name by itself to create a section and make it active.
6. Press Command–K to switch the active section. Every new capture stays there until you switch.
7. Use the paperclip to keep an image or file. Copy a screenshot, then double-tap Shift to capture it immediately.
8. Select notes to copy, merge, organize, mark Done with Space, or Archive with Command–Delete.
9. Press Command–/ for the complete keyboard-shortcut reference.

Sections and attachments

The active section is a capture destination, not a filter. Once you choose one with Command–K, typed notes, selected text, screenshots, and attached files are saved there automatically until you select another section or No Section. Images are previewed inline; other files keep their name, type, and contents with the local note. Individual attachments are limited to 25 MB.

Accessibility permission

Local organization, search, and copying do not require Accessibility. Granting it lets macOS deliver selected text to CueStash for the global double-Shift gesture and enablesControl–Option–C selected-text capture plus automatic send-back. Without permission, CueStash still opens from its menu-bar item and copies notes for manual paste.

Where the library lives

The application keeps its working library locally in an encrypted vault and provides a readable JSON export action in Settings. Quick Answer history uses a separate encrypted file, is excluded from library export, and is removed after 24 hours by default. CueStash never attaches the library to a model request; only text explicitly submitted with Option–Return is sent.

Quick Ask providers

Settings supports an eligible OpenAI subscription through a local Codex sign-in; OpenAI, OpenRouter, xAI/Grok, Anthropic, and Kimi keys stored in Keychain; Ollama; custom OpenAI-compatible endpoints; and the optional $6-per-month CueStash Hosted plan. The hosted plan includes up to 3,000 concise asks per month. Subscription, local, and BYOK requests are not metered by CueStash.

Trial and licenses

The full application includes a 14-day local trial. A paid individual license covers one person on up to three Macs. Deactivate an old Mac from Settings before moving the license to a replacement. If a Mac is lost or unavailable, contactsupport@cuestash.com to release its activation.

Compatibility

CueStash requires macOS 14 or later and is built for both Apple silicon and Intel. It is a Mac application; the website is responsive, but there is no iPhone app in version 1.