Writing Tools: a free, system-wide AI proofreader on a hotkey
An open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux. Select text in any app, press Ctrl+Space and pick Proofread, Rewrite, Concise or your own instruction; the text is replaced with the AI-edited version (Ctrl+Z undoes it). Works with the free Gemini API, local models (Ollama, llama.cpp) or other OpenAI-compatible providers.
Setup steps
- Download the latest release for Windows or macOS (Linux: run from source)
- Add a free Gemini API key or point it at a local model (Ollama, llama.cpp)
- Select text in any app and press Ctrl+Space
- Pick Proofread, another option, or type your own instruction
- Check the replaced text; press Ctrl+Z to undo
Steps summarized from the original GitHub source ↗. Use “Copy” to grab them with the tools and source link, or copy an AI prompt.
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Help me set up this automation using Writing Tools (open source) + Gemini API or a local model via Ollama: "Writing Tools: a free, system-wide AI proofreader on a hotkey". Goal: replace Grammarly. How it should work: - Trigger: You select text and press Ctrl+Space - Then: Pick Proofread, Rewrite or your own instruction - Then: The AI model you chose edits the text - Result: Selected text replaced in place (Ctrl+Z to undo) Setup steps (summarized from the original source): 1. Download the latest release for Windows or macOS (Linux: run from source) 2. Add a free Gemini API key or point it at a local model (Ollama, llama.cpp) 3. Select text in any app and press Ctrl+Space 4. Pick Proofread, another option, or type your own instruction 5. Check the replaced text; press Ctrl+Z to undo Guide me one step at a time. Ask me for anything you need (accounts, sheet or channel names) before you start. Safety rules: - Build and test with sample data first, and show me a sample result before anything goes live. - Keep anything that goes to other people (emails, posts, replies, record updates) as drafts for my review until I say otherwise. - Never send, post, buy, pay, delete or change records without my approval. - Tell me about any cost (paid plans, API usage) before I'd incur it, and help me set a spending limit. - Keep API keys and passwords out of shared docs and chats. - Privacy: Selected text goes to the AI provider you choose (Google for Gemini); with a local model it stays on your computer. The README says the app does no logging or tracking. Based on: https://github.com/theJayTea/WritingTools
From the source
Tool names link to each official site (opens in a new tab).
Running cost: Free to run Free open-source app; the README names the free Gemini API tier and free local models. No-code How we sort costs
Stack: Gemini · Ollama
Replace an app: AI bots that replace Grammarly
App vs bot, side by side
| Old app / habit | Bot | |
|---|---|---|
| Tool | Grammarly | Writing Tools desktop app + Gemini API or a local model |
| Monthly cost | Not reported | Free app; free Gemini API tier or free local models (per README) |
| Setup | None (already in use) | Not reported · Beginner |
| Your time | Baseline | Not reported |
| Maintenance | Handled by vendor/you as before | Update the app; manage your API key or local model. |
| Privacy | Data stays with the app vendor | Selected text goes to the AI provider you choose (Google for Gemini); with a local model it stays on your computer. The README says the app does no logging or tracking. |
Full comparison
| Replaces | Grammarly |
|---|---|
| Bot / agent stack | Writing Tools desktop app + Gemini API or a local model |
| Monthly cost before | Not reported |
| Monthly cost after | Free app; free Gemini API tier or free local models (per README) |
| Setup time | Not reported |
| Time saved | Not reported |
| Skill level | Beginner |
| Reliability | 3/5: popular open-source tool built by its developers; no long-term usage data in the source. You see every edit and can undo it. |
| Maintenance | Update the app; manage your API key or local model. |
| Privacy & data | Selected text goes to the AI provider you choose (Google for Gemini); with a local model it stays on your computer. The README says the app does no logging or tracking. |
| Best for | People who want one-hotkey proofreading in every app |
| Not for | People who don't want to manage an API key or a local model |
Pros and cons
Pros
- One hotkey in any app
- Custom buttons for your own instructions
- Free with a local model or Gemini's free tier
Cons
- Linux support is a work in progress (Wayland has caveats)
- Cloud providers see the text you send
Source and evidence
Open-source project README (GPL-3.0, about 2.5k GitHub stars when we checked). Comparisons with Grammarly are the developers' own claims; the source has no usage reports.
Read the original GitHub source ↗
“Not reported” means the source doesn't say. We never fill gaps with guesses. Numbers marked “per author” or “vendor claim” are the source's own and weren't independently tested. Source last checked Oct 17, 2026.
Our rating is an editorial opinion based on the public source above, not lab testing. Spot an error? Request a correction.
Plain-text summary (for search and AI assistants)
Writing Tools: a free, system-wide AI proofreader on a hotkey. Replaces Grammarly with Writing Tools desktop app + Gemini API or a local model. Cost before: Not reported. Cost after: Free app; free Gemini API tier or free local models (per README). Setup: Not reported, Beginner. Time saved: Not reported. Reliability 3/5: 3/5: popular open-source tool built by its developers; no long-term usage data in the source. You see every edit and can undo it. Best for: People who want one-hotkey proofreading in every app. Not for: People who don't want to manage an API key or a local model. Source: https://github.com/theJayTea/WritingTools
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