Writing Tools theJayTea/WritingTools

System-wide hotkey app that proofreads, rewrites and changes the tone of selected text using a local LLM (Ollama, MLX) or a cloud API.

Creator kit + Compare GitHub ↗ Install guide (official) ↗

Writing Tools at a glance

Checked 15 Oct 2026

Writing Tools is a desktop app inspired by Apple Intelligence: select text anywhere, press a hotkey and choose Proofread, Rewrite, Friendly, Professional, Concise or a custom instruction (Windows v9, macOS v6.1, May 2026). It works in any language your chosen LLM handles. You bring the model: local via Ollama, llama.cpp or MLX on Apple Silicon, or cloud APIs such as Gemini or OpenAI, which send your text to that provider. GPL-3.0. No live underlines as you type, and no plagiarism check. Linux is run from source.

Cite this pageRepoQuarry. “Writing Tools.” Checked 15 Oct 2026. https://repoquarry.dev/projects/writing-tools

How much of Grammarly does it replace?

3 of 5 jobs. On-demand AI proofreading and tone rewrites in any app via hotkey; no live underlines while typing or plagiarism check.

Grammar and spelling checks Partial replacement

Style and clarity suggestions Not covered

AI rewriting and tone changes Partial replacement

Works in the browser and other apps Partial replacement

Plagiarism check Not covered

For style and clarity suggestions, plagiarism check, see other Grammarly alternatives. You may also need to build an interface, an API server and hosting yourself.

Facts, with sources

Every answer links to where we found it. We read the documentation; we did not install it.

Report a correction

QuestionAnswerSourceChecked

Runs on my machine? Yes, desktop app; fully local only when paired with a local LLM Lets you use local LLMs to process your text entirely on-device. github.com · WritingTools#-privacy ↗ 1d ago

Code licence GPL-3.0 (copyleft) github.com · LICENSE ↗ 1d ago

Model weights licence No bundled weights; licence depends on the LLM you connect github.com · WritingTools#readme ↗ 1d ago

Commercial use Yes, GPL-3.0 conditions apply if you distribute it; check your chosen model's licence github.com · LICENSE ↗ 1d ago

Paid services needed? None required with a local LLM; cloud LLM APIs (free Gemini tier or paid) are optional Jump in quickly with the free Gemini API & Gemini 2.0, or an extensive range of local LLMs github.com · WritingTools#-why-choose-writing-tools ↗ 1d ago

Hardware App itself is light; the suggested local model (Llama 3.1 8B via Ollama) needs about 8GB RAM or VRAM Recommended: Llama 3.1 8B (~8GB RAM of VRAM required). github.com · WritingTools#-optional-ollama-local-llm-instructions-for-windowslinux-v7-onwards ↗ 1d ago

Operating systems Windows (portable app), macOS 14+ (native Swift port); Linux from source, work in progress macOS 14 or later is required due to accessibility API requirements. github.com · WritingTools#-1-minute-installation ↗ 1d ago

Setup effort Easy; download the Windows zip or macOS dmg, then add an LLM provider Extract it to your desired location github.com · WritingTools#-1-minute-installation ↗ 1d ago