Cai vs BoltAI
BoltAI is a native Mac AI app: chat window as the primary interface, plus inline AI that runs saved prompts on selected text via keyboard shortcut. $79 Essential / $99 Pro one-time license. Cai is action-shaped, not chat-shaped: the default interaction is a selection-first action menu with auto-detected content types, a bundled local model (Ministral 3B via MLX, no external server), zero-config GitHub and Linear MCP, YAML community extensions, and first-class custom destinations. Cai is free and MIT-licensed.
When to use Cai
- You want action-shaped, not chat-shaped: select, press ⌥C, pick, done
- You want a bundled local model that runs in-process, no Ollama or LM Studio install
- You want GitHub and Linear as zero-config first-class actions, not per-agent MCP setup
- You want custom destinations (webhook, AppleScript, deeplink, shell) as a first-class layer, not one-off scripts
- You want MIT-licensed and open source, with YAML community extensions you can read and share
When to use BoltAI
- You want a polished chat app as your daily AI interface, with threads, forks, and an AI workspace
- You want 300+ cloud models from broad provider support with API-key management
- You want image generation and web browsing plugins (Pro tier)
- You're comfortable paying $79–$99 one-time for a perpetual license
Feature comparison
| Feature | Cai | BoltAI |
|---|---|---|
| Default primitive | Select → ⌥C → action menu | Chat window + inline (select → hotkey → saved prompt) |
| Content-aware action surfacing | ✓ | ✕ |
| Bundled local AI model (no external server) | Ministral 3B (MLX, in-process) | Ollama / LM Studio required |
| Local AI | ✓ | Via Ollama / LM Studio |
| Apple Intelligence (Foundation Models) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cloud AI models | Via OpenRouter, API keys (BYO) | 300+ models, broad provider support |
| MCP support | Built-in GitHub + Linear (zero-config) | Local + remote, per-agent manual config |
| Shell commands | Custom Shell actions on selection | Shell Access Plugin (AI uses bash) |
| URL / shortcut actions on selection | ✓ | ✕ |
| Custom output destinations (webhook, deeplink, AppleScript, shell) | ✓ | ✕ |
| Replace selection inline | ✓ | ✓ |
| Community extensions (shareable YAML repo) | ✓ | Agents + Prompt Library (per-user, not a public community repo) |
| OCR / Image to text | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-turn chat UI | Basic (Tab follow-up) | Full chat, threads, forks |
| Image generation | ✕ | Pro tier |
| Pricing | Free, MIT | $79 Essential / $99 Pro (one-time) |