Amical by Amicalhq is an open-source AI-powered desktop application for dictation and note-taking. Built with TypeScript and Electron, it provides hands-free input and smart note creation for macOS and Windows users. It integrates with various language model providers, including OpenRouter, Ollama, and OpenAI-compatible endpoints, for advanced AI capabilities. Amical also uses Whisper for speech-to-text, supporting both local and cloud models. The program aims to accelerate text input and assist with information organization, enabling users to interact with their computer using voice commands.

What does Amical connect to?

Amical integrates with language model providers such as OpenRouter, Ollama, and any OpenAI-compatible local endpoint for its AI functionalities. For speech-to-text processing, it connects to Whisper models, which can operate either locally on the user's machine or through cloud services. Communication with these AI model providers typically occurs over standard HTTP/HTTPS protocols for API interactions. While categorized differently, its core connections are to these AI services, not as a server tool itself.

Core features and tools

Amical offers several callable tools and features through its desktop interface and custom hotkeys. Key offerings include AI dictation with push-to-talk and hands-free modes, language auto-detection, and formatting. Users benefit from DraftAI formatting, Personalization, and dedicated Notes. A Desktop widget provides frictionless start/stop functionality. It also includes management for Local AI models and Cloud AI models, Custom prompts, and Snippets. Users can configure Custom hotkeys for actions like push-to-talk and creating new notes.

Who is it for?

Amical targets macOS and Windows users seeking an AI-powered solution for dictation and note-taking. It helps individuals who wish to accelerate text input and reduce keyboard reliance, enabling them to "type 3x faster, no keyboard needed." The program supports those needing to dictate directly into applications or capture structured voice notes. This is not the right fit if you are primarily looking for an MCP server tool for system control.

How to get started

Amical's authentication model involves a sign-in process for accessing cloud features such as cloud speech and cloud formatting. For local operations, once a local Whisper model is downloaded, Amical works offline and does not require ongoing authentication.

Use cases

• Context-aware dictation: Dictate text directly into any active application like email, chat, or an IDE, with automatic formatting based on the application's context.
• Smart voice notes: Capture voice notes within the application, which can then be processed by language models for summaries or structured notes.
• Meeting transcription: Transcribe live meetings using both microphone and system audio, with the capability to generate meeting notes.

Amical provides a capable AI-powered desktop experience for dictation and note-taking on macOS and Windows. Its ability to connect with various language model providers and utilize local or cloud Whisper models makes it adaptable for different user needs. The rich feature set, including custom hotkeys and contextual dictation, supports efficient voice-driven workflows.