Lumen searches the folders you choose and turns recordings into notes, with processing on your Mac. These guides help you get a first result, decide what Lumen can access, and check the source behind each result.
Note: Lumen is a development preview for macOS 14 or later on Apple Silicon. There is no public installer yet, so you build the app from source. For the current scope, see Preview status.
Get your first result#
- Find a passage. Choose a small folder, search for an exact name or number, and open the matching source.
- Understand a recording. In a build with the local AI bundle, import a local audio file, review the transcript, and check the source links in the notes.
- Explore without recording. Choose Meetings → Try a sample meeting. The sample is clearly labeled and runs no model.
To build the app and make your first search, see Getting started. To see the app before you build it, take the visual walkthrough.
Choose what Lumen can use#
Lumen searches only the folders you choose. Live recording needs the relevant macOS audio permissions. Meeting detection is off by default, and automatic recording is a separate opt-in. Lumen reads your source files and doesn't change them.
To learn how the local app, imported local tools, exports, and this website differ, see Privacy and permissions.
Check the source before you use a result#
Open the returned file, PDF page, media moment, or transcript timestamp. Check names, numbers, dates, and action owners before you save or share notes. A source link helps you verify a generated note, but it doesn't make the note correct.
Know which build you have#
| Build | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Base build | Search text and PDFs by keyword, record audio, and save rough notes and Markdown exports |
| With the local AI bundle | Also transcribe recordings and generate meeting notes |
| With the search package | Also search scanned text with OCR, rich documents, images, audio, video, and optional code |
Lumen downloads its models once, when you choose Get started, and never switches to a cloud service. To learn how each package is added, see How local AI is prepared.
Lumen runs on macOS. Windows, Linux, device continuity, dictation, and broader agent workflows aren't available in this release.
What's next#
- Getting started: build the app and search a folder.
- Preview status: see what works, what has been checked, and what is still in development.
- Privacy and permissions: see what Lumen can access and what it saves.