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Paradigm User Guide

Everything you need to know to get started with your AI assistant

Getting Started

1. Create Your Account

Before downloading the app, we recommend creating an account for the full experience. You can sign up here:

  • • Email/Password: Traditional signup with your email
  • • Google: Quick signup with your Google account
  • • GitHub: Perfect for developers - sign up with GitHub

2. Download & Installation

Windows

  1. 1. Download the Windows installer
  2. 2. ⚠️ You'll see a blue Windows Defender warning
  3. 3. Click “More info” → “Run anyway”
  4. 4. Follow the installation wizard

Mac Intel

  1. 1. Download the Mac Intel version
  2. 2. ⚠️ macOS will say app “isn't safe”
  3. 3. Go to Finder → locate Paradigm.app
  4. 4. Right-click → “Open”

Apple Silicon

  1. 1. Download the Apple Silicon version
  2. 2. ⚠️ App isn't signed yet
  3. 3. Open Terminal and run:
sudo xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Paradigm.app

3. Connect Your Account

When you first open Paradigm, you'll be prompted to connect the account you created earlier. If you don't have an account yet, you can log in here orcreate one.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Paradigm is designed for speed and efficiency through keyboard shortcuts:

Core Functions

Take screenshot⌘ + H
Ask AI about screenshot⌘ + Enter
Start new conversation⌘ + R
Hide/show assistant⌘ + B

Window Management

Move window around⌘ + Arrow Keys
⚠️

Important Note

All shortcuts except hide/show (⌘+B) are disabled when the assistant is hidden

How to Use Paradigm

1

Take Screenshot

Press ⌘+H to capture your screen

2

Ask AI

Press ⌘+Enter to analyze

3

Chat

Continue with follow-up questions

4

Restart

Press ⌘+R for new conversation

Best Practices

  • • Screenshot coding problems, error messages, or anything you need help with
  • • Be specific in your follow-up questions
  • • Use the restart function to keep conversations focused
  • • Make sure text is readable in screenshots

Audio Transcription

Transform your voice into actionable insights. After processing, an Activity component appears on yourdashboard:

How It Works

  1. 1. Turn on the microphone in the app
  2. 2. Speak your problem or thoughts - the model listens to everything
  3. 3. Stop the audio session when you're done
  4. 4. AI Processing: The model will either solve your problem or summarize what you said

What You Get

An Activity component appears on your dashboard with:

  • • Summary of your audio session
  • • Action items extracted from your speech
  • • Full transcript of what was said

AI Contexts

Personalize Paradigm to understand your specific needs. You can create and manage these on yourdashboard:

Creating & Using Contexts

Create

  1. 1. Go to your Dashboard
  2. 2. Find AI Contexts section
  3. 3. Create contexts with your project details

Activate

  1. 1. Activate a context on dashboard
  2. 2. Return to Paradigm app
  3. 3. Click three dots (⋯) menu
  4. 4. Select “Refresh Context”

Benefits

  • • AI responses tailored to your projects
  • • Consistent understanding across conversations
  • • More relevant solutions and suggestions

Tips

  • • Keep contexts updated with current project info
  • • Be specific about your tech stack and preferences
  • • Refresh contexts regularly for best results

Troubleshooting

App Won't Open (macOS)

  • • Try right-click → “Open” first
  • • For Apple Silicon, use the terminal command
  • • Check you downloaded the correct version

Shortcuts Not Working

  • • Make sure app isn't hidden (press ⌘+B)
  • • Verify correct modifier keys
  • • Restart app if unresponsive

Audio Not Working

  • • Check microphone permissions
  • • Verify audio input access in system settings
  • • Try restarting the audio session

Context Not Loading

  • • Click “Refresh Context” after activating
  • • Check internet connection
  • • Verify context was saved properly

Still Have Questions?

Can't find what you're looking for? We're here to help! Reach out to our team:

📧

Contact Us

For any questions, bugs, feature requests, or feedback

chris.pengfei.ma@gmail.comcadenc.woss@gmail.com

💡 Pro tip: Include your operating system and Paradigm version when reporting issues for faster support!