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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/JerryZLiu/Dayflow/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

This guide will get you up and running with Dayflow quickly. You’ll go from download to seeing your first automatic timeline in just a few steps.
1

Download Dayflow

Download the latest Dayflow.dmg from GitHub Releases:Download Dayflow.dmgAlternatively, install via Homebrew:
brew install --cask dayflow
2

Install and Grant Permissions

  1. Open Dayflow.dmg and drag Dayflow to your Applications folder
  2. Launch Dayflow from Applications
  3. When prompted, grant Screen & System Audio Recording permissions
Dayflow requires Screen Recording permissions to capture your activity. Without this permission, the app cannot function.
To grant permissions manually:
  1. Open System SettingsPrivacy & Security
  2. Select Screen & System Audio Recording
  3. Enable the checkbox next to Dayflow
You may need to restart Dayflow after granting permissions for them to take effect.
3

Choose Your AI Provider

Dayflow supports three AI processing options:Gemini (Recommended for most users)
  • Get a free API key from Google AI Studio
  • Most efficient: only 2 LLM calls per timeline segment
  • Enter your API key in Dayflow settings
Local Models (Maximum Privacy)
  • Install Ollama or LM Studio
  • All processing happens on your Mac - nothing leaves your device
  • Requires more power and uses ~33+ LLM calls per segment
  • Best when plugged in due to GPU usage
ChatGPT or Claude (Best Quality)
  • Requires paid subscription: ChatGPT Plus/Pro (20+/month)orClaudePro(20+/month) or Claude Pro (20/month)
  • Install Codex CLI for ChatGPT or Claude Code for Claude
  • Uses 4-6 LLM calls per segment
  • Best-in-class narrative quality with frontier reasoning models
You can change your AI provider at any time in settings. Your historical timeline data is preserved.
4

Start Recording

  1. Click the Dayflow icon in your menu bar
  2. Select Start Recording
  3. Go about your day normally
  4. Dayflow will automatically capture and analyze your screen activity
After a few minutes of activity, check your timeline to see AI-generated summaries of what you’ve been working on.
Your recordings are stored locally at ~/Library/Application Support/Dayflow/recordings/. You can access them anytime from the Dayflow menu bar icon → Open Recordings.

What’s Next?

  • View your timeline - Open Dayflow to see your automatically generated activity timeline
  • Export as Markdown - Share your timeline by exporting any date range
  • Watch timelapses - Review your day as a visual timelapse
  • Set up automation - Use URL schemes to start/stop recording from Shortcuts

Troubleshooting

Screen capture is blank or fails Check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording and ensure Dayflow is enabled. You may need to remove and re-add the permission. API errors with Gemini Verify your GEMINI_API_KEY in settings and check your network connectivity. Ensure your API key is active at Google AI Studio. Local models not working Make sure Ollama or LM Studio is running and accessible. Check that you’ve downloaded the required model and the local server is active.

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