# Raycast AI Guide: Boost Mac Productivity > Master Raycast AI on Mac: instant answers, context-aware writing, chat presets, and custom models via Zeabur AI Hub If you are still opening a browser tab, typing "[chatgpt.com](http://chatgpt.com/)," and waiting for the page to load every time you have a quick question, you are doing it the hard way. Context switching—moving from your code editor to a browser and back—is the silent killer of flow state. Enter [**Raycast AI**](https://www.raycast.com/core-features/ai). It isn't just another chatbot; it is an intelligent layer that lives *on top* of your operating system. Unlike web-based tools, it controls your Mac, making it one of the most powerful **AI productivity tools for Mac** users today. In this guide, we will cover **how to use Raycast AI features**, compare it to competitors, and dive into a pro-level tutorial on setting up custom models using Zeabur. --- ## What Can Raycast AI Actually Do? (Core Features) ![Raycast AI Chat](https://cdn.zeabur.com/Raycast%20AI/raycast%20ai%20chat.png) Raycast replaces the native Mac Spotlight search (`⌘ + Space`), but its AI integration is what makes it a powerhouse. Because it is a native app, it can "read" your current context—whether that’s a selected paragraph in an email or code in VS Code. Here are the 4 features you should try first: ### 1. "Quick AI" (The Tab Key Trick) This is the fastest way to get an answer on any computer without breaking your flow. - **The Workflow:** Open Raycast, type a short question (e.g., "Excel formula for vlookup"), and **press `TAB`**. - **The Result:** The answer loads instantly in the search bar. No chat window, no history clutter—just the answer ready to copy. > **Model Recommendation:** For reliable and stable performance, we recommend using **GPT-4o** when setting up your custom provider. It offers excellent response times and consistent results for quick queries. ### 2. AI Chat Presets You don't need to copy-paste text into a web bot to fix grammar or rewrite emails. Writing Assistance lets you highlight text in any app and rewrite it in place. ![Writing Coach Raycast](https://cdn.zeabur.com/Raycast%20AI/writing%20coach%20raycast.png) - The Workflow: Highlight text in any app (Slack, Notes, Word). Open Raycast and type a command like "Fix Grammar" or "Change Tone to Friendly." - The Result: Raycast rewrites the text in place, deleting your rough draft and pasting the polished version directly into your document. → [Here’s full preset library](https://ray.so/presets/misc) > **Model Recommendation:** For the best writing quality, we recommend using **GPT-5** when setting up your custom provider. Its advanced language understanding excels at grammar correction, tone adjustment, and contextual rewriting. ### 3. The AI Commands Ecosystem Raycast isn't just a tool; it's a platform. The Raycast Store is filled with community-built extensions that leverage AI for specific tasks. - **The Workflow:** Search the Store for **"AI Image Generator"** or **"Translator."** - **The Result:** You unlock specialized capabilities—like generating Dall-E 3 images or translating JSON files locally—right from your command bar, often using the same API keys you already have set up. → [Raycast AI Commands](https://manual.raycast.com/ai#block-1cfd6e4a8215812f87f5dbc614adbccf) > **Model Recommendation:** For stable and reliable performance with AI commands and extensions, we recommend using **GPT-4o** when setting up your custom provider. It provides consistent results and excellent compatibility with various AI-powered tools. ### Some Cool Features: **@spotify-player (Spotify Controls)** ![Spotify Player](https://cdn.zeabur.com/Raycast%20AI/%40spotify-player.png) Acts as a keyboard-centric remote control for Spotify. - **Playback Control:** Play, pause, skip, previous, and shuffle tracks without opening the Spotify window. - **Search:** Search for and start specific songs, albums, or playlists directly from the command bar. - **Library Management:** "Like" the currently playing song to add it to your Liked Songs. **@calculator (Calculator & Conversions)** ![Calculator](https://cdn-console.zeabur.com/f/YqYtP/@calculator.png) Performs immediate math and conversions in the search bar (no enter key required). - **Math:** Basic arithmetic (e.g., `500 * 12`) and complex expressions. - **Conversions:** Instantly converts currency (e.g., `100 usd in eur`), units (e.g., `5 ft in cm`), and time zones (e.g., `5pm london in tokyo`). - **Date Math:** Calculates time differences (e.g., `days until christmas`). **@calendar (My Schedule)** ![Calendar](https://cdn.zeabur.com/Raycast%20AI/%40calendar.png) Integrates your system calendar to manage your day. - **Quick Join:** The "killer feature"—press Enter on an upcoming event to instantly open the video conference link (Zoom, Meet, Teams). - **Agenda View:** See a list of your upcoming meetings and events. - **Time Management:** See how much time is left in current meetings or how long until the next one starts. --- ## Don’t Worry About the API Key, Zeabur AI Hub is ready to use. While the Raycast Pro subscription is fantastic, many users prefer a "pay-as-you-go" approach using their own API keys, or simply want the freedom to manage multiple AI models (like Gemini, Claude, and GPT) in one place. This method allows **anyone** to connect Raycast to [**Zeabur AI Hub**](https://zeabur.com/models). It’s a powerful way to use premium models on your own terms—potentially saving money and giving you access to the exact AI tools you need. ### Step 1: Get Your Zeabur API Key 1. Log in to the **Zeabur Dashboard**. 2. Navigate to the **AI Hub** page. 3. Generate a new **API Key** and copy it for later use. ### Step 2: Open Raycast Settings 1. Open the Raycast search bar. ![Raycast AI Step 1](https://cdn.zeabur.com/Raycast%20AI/raycast%20ai%20step%201.png) 2. Type `AI` and select **AI Raycast Settings**. ![Raycast AI Step 2](https://cdn.zeabur.com/Raycast%20AI/Raycast%20AI%20step%202%20.png) 3. Scroll to the bottom of the right-hand pane to find **Custom Providers** and enable it. 4. Click **Reveal Providers Config**. This opens the configuration folder in Finder. ### Step 3: Edit the `providers.yaml` Configuration File ![Raycast AI Step 3](https://cdn.zeabur.com/Raycast%20AI/raycast%20ai%20step%203.png) 1. Open the `AI` folder in Finder. 2. Locate `providers.template.yaml` and open it with a code editor (like VS Code). 3. Modify the content to match the format below (replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with the key from Step 1): ```yaml # Template for providers.yaml # # You can add any OpenAI API compatible provider to the "providers" list. # For each provider you must also specify a list of models, along with model abilities. # # All fields are required unless marked as optional. # # Refer to your provider's API documentation for specific # details such as model identifiers, capabilities etc # # Note: Since the OpenAI API is not a standard we can't guarantee that all # providers will work correctly with Raycast AI. # # To use this template rename as `providers.yaml` # providers: - id: zeabur_ai_hub name: Zeabur AI Hub base_url: https://hnd1.aihub.zeabur.ai/ # 也可選擇舊金山節點：https://sfo1.aihub.zeabur.ai/ api_keys: zeabur-ai-hub-key: sk-xxxxxxxxxx models: - id: claude-sonnet-4-5 name: "Claude Sonnet 4.5" context: 200000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: claude-haiku-4-5 name: "Claude Haiku 4.5" context: 200000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gemini-3-pro-preview name: "Gemini 3 Pro Preview" context: 2000000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gemini-3-flash-preview name: "Gemini 3 Flash Preview" context: 2000000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gemini-2.5-pro name: "Gemini 2.5 Pro" context: 2000000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gemini-2.5-flash name: "Gemini 2.5 Flash" context: 2000000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gemini-2.5-flash-lite name: "Gemini 2.5 Flash Lite" context: 2000000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gpt-5 name: "GPT-5" context: 200000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gpt-5-mini name: "GPT-5 mini" context: 200000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gpt-4.1 name: "GPT-4.1" context: 200000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gpt-4.1-mini name: "GPT-4.1 mini" context: 200000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gpt-4o name: "GPT-4o" context: 200000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gpt-4o-mini name: "GPT-4o mini" context: 200000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gpt-oss-120b name: "GPT OSS 120B" context: 128000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: false system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: grok-4-fast-non-reasoning name: "Grok 4 Fast" context: 128000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: false - id: deepseek-v3.2 name: "DeepSeek v3.2" context: 128000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: false system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: llama-3.3-70b name: "Llama 3.3 70B" context: 128000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: false system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: qwen-3-32 name: "Qwen 3 32B" context: 128000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: false system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: qwen3-next name: "Qwen 3 Next 80B" context: 128000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: false system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: kimi-k2-thinking name: "Kimi K2 Thinking" context: 200000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: false system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: glm-4.6 name: "GLM 4.6" context: 200000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true - id: gemini-2.5-flash-image name: "Nano Banana" context: 200000 provider: zeabur-ai-hub-key abilities: temperature: supported: true vision: supported: true system_message: supported: true tools: supported: true ``` 1. **Save and Rename:** Save the file and rename it to `providers.yaml` (remove `.template`). ### Step 4: Select the New Model ![Raycast AI Step 4](https://cdn.zeabur.com/Raycast%20AI/raycast%20ai%20step%204.png) Back in Raycast, you can now open the model dropdown in AI Chat and select **Zeabur AI Hub**. You are now bypassing the default subscription model and using your own managed hub! ![Raycast AI Last Step](https://cdn.zeabur.com/Raycast%20AI/raycast%20ai%20last%20step.png) --- ## Raycast AI vs. The Competition ### Raycast AI vs ChatGPT App The native ChatGPT app for Mac is an improvement over the browser, but it is still a "window" you have to manage. - **ChatGPT App:** Good for long, conversational sessions. - **Raycast AI:** Designed for "in-and-out" utility. It modifies text *where you are* (IDE, Email, Slack) rather than forcing you to copy-paste into a separate window. ### Raycast vs. Spotlight Spotlight searches files. Raycast executes actions. The difference is night and day. Once you add AI to Raycast, Spotlight feels like a relic of the past. --- ## Conclusion Raycast AI turns your Mac launcher into a productivity engine. Whether you are a casual user looking for quick answers or a developer setting up complex pipelines via Zeabur, it offers a level of speed that web browsers simply can't match. **Ready to upgrade your workflow?** Download Raycast for free to get started, or dive into the Pro features to unlock the full potential of AI on your Mac.