> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.stenoai.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation

> Download and install Steno on macOS. The setup takes about five minutes, most of which is downloading the local AI models.

## Requirements

* macOS 14.4 (Sonoma) or later, on Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) -- Intel Macs are not supported since v0.4.0; the last release with Intel support is [v0.3.8](https://github.com/ruzin/stenoai/releases/tag/v0.3.8)
* 8GB RAM minimum (16GB recommended for larger models)
* \~8GB free disk space for the default models

## Install Steno

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the DMG">
    Go to [stenoai.co](https://stenoai.co) and click **Download** to get the `arm64` build for Apple Silicon Macs (M1 through M5).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the DMG and drag to Applications">
    Open the downloaded `.dmg` file. Drag the Steno icon into your Applications folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch Steno">
    Open Steno from Applications. macOS may show a security prompt on first launch -- click **Open** to proceed. This prompt appears because Steno is distributed outside the Mac App Store.

    If macOS blocks the app entirely, go to **System Settings → Privacy & Security** and click **Open Anyway** next to the Steno entry.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download models">
    On first launch, Steno will prompt you to download the default models:

    * Transcription: Parakeet (\~572MB)
    * Summarization: Gemma 4 E2B (\~6.5GB)

    Both downloads happen inside the app. This requires an internet connection and takes a few minutes depending on your connection. After this, Steno runs entirely offline.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grant microphone access">
    When you start your first recording, macOS will prompt for microphone permission. Click **Allow**. To record system audio (both sides of a call), follow the [system audio setup](/features/recording) guide.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verify the installation

Once setup is complete, go to **Settings → Setup Check** inside the app. This runs a diagnostic that confirms:

* The transcription model is installed and functional
* Ollama is running and the summarization model is loaded
* Storage paths are writable

If any check fails, the setup screen will show the specific error and how to resolve it.

## Updates

Steno updates automatically in the background. When an update is ready, you will see an **Update available** notice in the app. Updates install on the next quit -- you do not need to re-download a DMG manually.

***

<Accordion title="Can I install Steno without an internet connection?">
  You need an internet connection to download the initial model files. After that, Steno runs fully offline.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Why is the app not opening on macOS?">
  macOS Gatekeeper may block apps distributed outside the App Store. Go to **System Settings → Privacy & Security** and click **Open Anyway** next to Steno. This is a one-time step.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How do I uninstall Steno?">
  Delete Steno from your Applications folder. To also remove all data (recordings, transcripts, summaries, models), delete `~/Library/Application Support/stenoai/`.
</Accordion>


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