Correcting and translating text
3 min read
Select text in any app and press ⌥⇧C to correct it, or ⌥⇧T to translate it. The corrected text replaces your selection.
How the shortcuts work
| Press | Result |
|---|---|
| Once | Corrects or translates the selection and replaces it |
| Twice quickly | ⌥⇧C opens the review window. ⌥⇧T opens the language list |
| Once again while it is working | Cancels |
| ⎋ | Also cancels |
The six actions
In the review window, press ⌘1 to ⌘6 to switch between these.
| Action | Changes |
|---|---|
| Correct | Spelling, grammar and punctuation only |
| Improve | Clarity, without rewriting |
| Rephrase | Sentence structure |
| Formalize | Tone, to something more professional |
| Simplify | Wording, to something easier to read |
| Summarize | Length, keeping the main points |
Translation
Pressing ⌥⇧T once translates into the language set in Settings > AI > Default target language. Pressing it twice opens a list of languages to choose from. Either way, the translation replaces your selection.
Setup
There is nothing to set up. Mochi provides the language model, so there is no API key to create, no account with another service, no model to choose and no usage charge. Your licence is what gives you access.
Requirements
- The Accessibility permission, so Mochi can read and replace your selection. See Permissions.
- A Pro licence or an active trial.
- An internet connection. This is the only feature in Mochi that needs one.
How Mochi protects your text
- It never inserts the result twice. If the direct replacement worked, Mochi does not also paste it.
- It checks your text again before replacing it. If you edited the text while it was working, the result is copied to your clipboard instead and Mochi tells you.
- It only uses Select All when it can confirm a text field has focus, so it cannot select files in Finder by mistake.
- It waits until you release the shortcut keys before sending any keystrokes of its own.
- If the result looks wrong for the text you selected, Mochi opens the review window instead of replacing your text silently.
What is sent
The text you selected is sent to Mochi's writing service, processed by a language model, and the result is returned. Nothing is stored, logged, or used to train a model, and nothing is sent unless you press the shortcut. See What Mochi sends over the internet and the privacy policy.
Settings
| Setting | Location |
|---|---|
| Default target language | Settings > AI |
| Custom instructions | Settings > AI. Style rules applied to every request, such as use British spelling |
| Writing goals | Settings > AI, and in the review window. Audience, register, purpose and dialect |
| Check the connection | Settings > AI. Confirms the service is reachable and your licence is valid |
It says my licence does not cover this.
The writing tools require Pro. If you have a licence and still see this message, open Settings > Licence to check that it is active. A licence activated a moment ago takes effect immediately.
Nothing happens when I press the shortcut.
This is usually the Accessibility permission. Settings > AI > Check the connection tells you whether the problem is the permission, the network or your licence.
The result went to my clipboard instead of my document.
This happens when the text changed while Mochi was working, or when the app does not allow text to be replaced. Paste it yourself. Nothing was lost.
Does it work in Slack, VS Code and Chrome?
Yes. These apps expose limited information to assistive software until an app requests more, which Mochi does automatically.
Can I use my own model, or a local one?
No. Earlier versions supported this, but it required creating an account with a model provider before the feature would work at all. Mochi now provides the model.