Guides & how-tos
Practical workflows for documents, browser research, importing browser data, file libraries and recurring cloud tasks — plus BYOK setup and repository work.
- Getting started with More AI: from download to your first task — Install the free desktop app, add a provider key and start a Cowork task in about five minutes. Signed-out desktop work does not sync; signing in starts the configured sync categories, while cloud execution remains a separate opt-in.
- Cowork or Code: which More AI workspace should you use? — New More AI conversations use Cowork for questions, research and files; Code remains a separate workspace for repositories. Here is the current model, including what happens to legacy Chat conversations.
- How to choose a desktop AI agent for real work — A desktop AI agent should do more than answer prompts: it needs clear file permissions, a workspace for non-code work, a separate path for repositories, controllable model costs and an honest local-to-cloud boundary. Use this checklist to evaluate one.
- Bring your own API key: costs, limits and a reusable worksheet — Understand provider billing, retries and optional cloud costs. Use a downloadable worksheet to measure the cost of accepted work; BYOK is not always cheaper than a subscription.
- How to use More AI for free: OpenRouter’s free models and other zero-cost routes — You do not need a paid API account to start. Options include built-in starter access for eligible signed-in beta accounts, provider free tiers, OpenRouter’s :free models and local models. Here is what each route requires and where its limits are.
- Free AI coding: a real agent on models that cost nothing — The free desktop app can run Code on provider free tiers or local models. Here is how to start a local Code run, which free models are actually good at coding, where their limits are and how cloud pricing differs.
- Free AI for documents: a folder-to-Word-and-Excel example — Create a checked Word and Excel report from eight fictional tasks. Download inputs, prompts and deterministic reference files, then repeat the task with a model available to you.
- Run local AI model inference with Ollama and LM Studio — Run model requests on your own hardware with no API bill and no internet required for inference. With sync, online tools, master telemetry and AI observability (including replay) off, prompts and responses stay on your machine. Here is how to set up Ollama or LM Studio.
- Cowork: turn any folder into an AI project workspace — Cowork binds the desktop assistant to a folder on your disk, edits with visible diffs and creates Word, Excel and PowerPoint deliverables. Signed-out work does not sync; signed-in Cowork sync is on by default unless you disable it.
- Code mode: run a coding agent on your own repository — Describe a task, optionally require a plan, and watch the agent write code, run commands and show each diff — on your repo, with your key and a selectable permission mode.
- Give your agent the web: search engines, connectors and free limits — The assistant searches the web out of the box, with nothing to set up and nothing to pay. When the default is not enough you can add a search service on your own free tier, or point it at a SearXNG instance you run yourself. Here is how each works and when to reach for which.
- More AI browser: import your data, research websites and test your app — Work with websites beside your conversation. Import supported bookmarks, history, cookies and saved logins, ask the agent to research a page, and check a local app with screenshots and element references.
- More AI Library: find files, ask questions and keep versions — Use your file library and connected Google Drive for proposals, reports and document questions. Learn how selected versions, storage access and cloud processing work.
- Scheduled AI tasks: local routines and cloud check-ins — Create one-off or recurring AI tasks, choose local or cloud execution, and review their results. Practical ideas for research, page checks and weekly reports, with clear schedule and file-access limits.
- Cloud continuity: sync, web access and work across devices — Use an optional More AI account to sync supported work, open it at app.more-ai.net and run eligible tasks in the cloud. Signed-out desktop work does not sync; configured categories start syncing after sign-in, while cloud execution stays separately off until enabled.
- Find anything instantly with search — One keyboard shortcut searches across every chat, Cowork project, coding session and scheduled routine at once — by title or by what’s inside. Never lose a conversation again.
- Control what the agent can do: tools & permissions — More AI’s agent can read and write files, run commands, search the web, schedule routines and connect to other apps. Every capability can be switched off; command approvals then follow the selected access mode.
- Connectors & plugins: bring your tools to the assistant with MCP — More AI ships a browsable catalog of over 160 verified MCP connectors — GitHub, Notion, Linear, Stripe and many more — plus local plugins in the same .mcpb format as Claude Desktop extensions. Here is how to connect them and keep every permission under your control.