CursivInstall Cursiv.
About ten minutes, most of it downloading. You need internet once, for the downloads. After that, everyday use works without it.
Mac (early): Apple Silicon (M1 or newer), macOS 12+. Drag Cursiv into Applications. It isn't signed by Apple yet, so the first time: try to open it, then System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway. Built and tested automatically on Apple hardware, but not yet used by anyone on their own Mac. The USB drive is Windows-only.
Latest release and installer details: GitHub Releases · MIT license
Cursiv is seeking open-source code-signing support from the SignPath Foundation.
Hardware requirements · Offline AI guide · Benchmark evidence · Privacy Policy
From download to first answer.
- Check the download (optional)Every release lists the installer's SHA-256 checksum in
SHA256SUMS.txton its release page. In PowerShell,Get-FileHash .\Cursiv-Setup-latest.exemust print the same value. The installer is built from the public source code at the release's tag. - Run the installerOpen
Cursiv-Setup-latest.exe. It installs into your own user folder (no administrator rights), adds a Start menu entry, and nothing else: no services, drivers or browser changes. It isn't code-signed yet, so Windows may say "Windows protected your PC": click More info, then Run anyway. The first page of the installer says the same. - Create your loginPick a username and password, and answer the security questions; they're how you reset a forgotten password. Both stay on this computer. Cursiv doesn't open without this login.
- Let Setup install the local AIThe Setup window installs Ollama, the free engine that runs AI models on your computer, then downloads the model you pick (it suggests one for your graphics card). Progress bars show how far along it is.
- Start askingType a question. Type
helpto see what Cursiv can do, andoffline onif you want nothing to leave this computer.
Setup suggests the model that tested best.
| Model | Download | When |
|---|---|---|
| qwen3 4B Instruct (Apache 2.0) | 2.5 GB | Current default recommendation. It passed 40 of 40 cases in a 40-case suite 1.2 model comparison (October 18, 2026), averaging 9.8 seconds per answer on that test computer. This is a small comparison sample, not a full benchmark; speed varies by computer. Without a graphics card, speed has not been measured. See the model comparison details. |
| qwen2.5 1.5B (Apache 2.0) | 1 GB | Smaller alternative for systems that need a lighter model. Not yet tested in the published Cursiv model comparison. |
Optional extras in Setup: a coding model and an image-reading model. Each model has its own license; see MODELS.md.
Off unless you turn them on.
You can add your own AI keys in ⚙ Settings: free Google Gemini or Groq keys, or paid OpenAI, Claude or xAI keys. Keys are encrypted for your Windows account.
- When the local model can't answer (or for images), your message goes to the provider of a key you added.
- Cursiv Cloud, a free backup on this website, is off by default.
- Web search runs only for messages starting with
search:. - Updates: tray icon → Check for Updates, or turn on automatic checks in Settings.
Free keys: Google Gemini · Groq
Common questions.
Where is my data kept?
In a .cursiv folder in your Windows user folder and in Cursiv's program folder: ordinary files. ⚙ Settings has an "Open folder" button. Saved AI keys are encrypted; conversations and memories aren't encrypted on disk.
How do I update?
Right-click the Cursiv icon in the Windows tray (by the clock) and choose Check for Updates. If a newer version exists, Cursiv downloads its installer from GitHub and runs it. Your data is kept.
Can I run it from a USB drive?
Yes: tray icon → Make a Cursiv USB… copies Cursiv, Ollama and your models to a 64 GB+ exFAT drive. Leave "Include my memories, keys and settings" unticked for a copy you give to someone else.
How do I uninstall?
Windows Settings → Apps → Cursiv → Uninstall. Ollama and its models are separate; uninstall Ollama the same way to remove them.
Something went wrong.
Use tray icon → Send problem report… (it shows you what will be sent before sending), or open an issue on GitHub.