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Hey everyone! Moving away from the blog posts for MacinAI updates, though this was simpler.
MacinAI Beta 3.3.0 gives the AI the ability to explore your
Mac's filesystem in real-time. Instead of dumping a static
file list into every conversation, the AI now uses intelligent tools to
browse folders, search for files, and suggest compatible applications all on demand.
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WHAT'S NEW
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AI-Powered File Navigation
The AI can now actively navigate your Mac's filesystem using five
built-in tools:
- List Directory - "What's on my desktop?" or "Show me what's in
the Applications folder"
- Find Files - "Find all my JPEG photos" or "Where is SimpleText?"
- Get File Info - "How big is this file?" or "When was it created?"
- Get App for File - "What app opens this PICT file?"
- List Apps for Type - "What apps can handle JPEG files?"
No special commands needed, just ask naturally in the chat. The AI
decides which tools to use based on your question. This requires a
Full Index (Level 2) catalog.
Performance: 85% reduction in AI token usage per message. Previous
versions sent the entire file list (~100KB) with every message. Now
the AI sends a lightweight 15KB skeleton and queries for details only
when needed.
Three-Step Catalog Setup
The catalog workflow is now faster and gives you more control:
1. Choose what to index - "App List" (~15 seconds) or
"Full Index" (~2-3 minutes)
2. Scan - Only scans what you asked for, with a progress bar
for Full Index
3. Choose whether to upload - Upload to server for faster
responses, or keep it local
Offline Catalog Mode
Don't want your file list stored on the server? Choose "No" when
asked to upload. Your catalog stays on your Mac and is included
inline with each chat message. The AI gets the same context without
any server-side storage.
Automatic System Info
Your Mac's basic specs (RAM, CPU, OS version, volumes) are now
automatically shared with the AI every time you launch MacinAI. This
means the AI always knows what hardware you're running, even if you
never enable the catalog. This is separate from the file catalog and
requires no setup.
Redesigned Settings
Settings now uses a clean panel layout with three tabs: General,
Speech, and Advanced. The AI System Catalog section has dedicated
controls for enabling/disabling, choosing index levels, and managing
uploads.
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HOW TO USE
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Quick Start - App List (Recommended for most users)
1. Open Settings from the menu bar
2. Check "Enable AI System Catalog"
3. Click Refresh
4. Select "App List" - scans in about 15 seconds
5. Choose "Yes" to upload (or "No" for offline mode)
6. Ask the AI: "What apps do I have?" or "Open SimpleText"
Full Index - For File Navigation
1. Follow the same steps but select "Full Index"
2. Wait for the scan (~2-3 minutes with progress bar)
3. Upload or keep offline
4. Now you can ask: "What's on my desktop?", "Find my photos",
"What opens this file?"
Switching Modes
- Change index level: Click "Refresh" in Settings, you'll be
prompted to choose again
- Switch to offline: Uncheck "Upload catalog to server" in Settings
- Disable entirely: Uncheck "Enable AI System Catalog"
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BUG FIXES
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- Fixed crash on System 7.5.3/7.6.1 when enabling AI Catalog,
NewPtrSysClear() does not exist before System 8; replaced with
compatible alternative
- Fixed crash from BlockMove macro on System 7, ternary operators
in BlockMove size parameter caused memory corruption; extracted
to explicit variables
- Fixed FileInfo type conflict, custom struct name conflicted with
system-defined type in Files.h; renamed to CatalogFileInfo
- Fixed DNS freeze that locked the entire application,
OTInetStringToAddress() blocks indefinitely with no network;
replaced with async DNS resolution, 10-second timeout, and
persistent DNS cache
- Fixed uninitialized variable bugs causing white-screen dialogs,
local Rect and Boolean variables on the stack contained garbage
values; all variables now initialized at declaration
- Fixed settings white screen on first open, related to
uninitialized variables in SettingsDialog
- Fixed AI hallucinating applications when catalog was disabled,
added stale catalog cleanup when user disables the feature
- Fixed system info queries failing without a catalog, added
fallback to client hardware table when no catalog exists
- Reduced memory fragmentation during scanning, chunked 1000-file
allocation prevents heap exhaustion on 8MB RAM machines
- Added 5% RAM threshold monitoring, scanning stops gracefully
before running out of memory instead of crashing
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MacinAI 3.3.0 Beta
Compatible with System 7.5.3 through Mac OS 9.2.2
Written by Alex Hoopes
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