Frame, then analyze
Move and resize ClawPad over one complete, readable practice question. Select Analyze screen or use the shortcut shown in ClawPad. Keep unrelated windows and partial prompts outside the frame.
ClawPad field guide
From first launch to a clear practice answer.
Set up the essentials once, frame the question you want to study, and keep the rest of your practice flow inside one focused overlay.
Set up
Get every dependency into a known state.
Setup reports are actionable: use the button beside a blocked check, then refresh.
- 01
Install the Mac app
Download the installer for your Mac, open the DMG, and move ClawPad to Applications. Always launch the copy in Applications so macOS permissions stay attached to one installation.
- 02
Complete the first-open review
Read and accept the in-app policies. ClawPad then checks your account connection, operating system, screen capture, microphone, FFmpeg, hotkeys, and overlay support.
- 03
Pair your ClawPad account
Sign in on the ClawPad website and approve the desktop pairing request. An active subscription unlocks ClawPad-managed screenshot analysis and voice transcription without requiring a provider API key.
- 04
Grant only the permissions you use
Use the buttons in Setup to open macOS Settings. Screen Recording is required for visual analysis. Microphone access is required only for Live Assist or a voice follow-up; supported system-audio capture can require its own operating-system permission.
Practice
Use the smallest action that matches the question.
ClawPad starts a fresh visual session when you analyze a new screen.
Start Live Assist
After confirming that everyone required by law and policy has consented, select Start Live Assist. It processes the permitted conversation as a bounded live stream without creating a recording library. The configured shortcut stops an active session; it cannot start one.
Challenge the answer
Use the follow-up field to ask for a simpler explanation, another solution, a failure scenario, or a deeper tradeoff. For coding and system-design answers, the microphone records one explicit-stop follow-up, transcribes it once, and requests deletion of its transient local audio before submitting it through the same conversation.
Switch type-through on
Use the type-through shortcut when you need pointer and keyboard input to reach the app underneath ClawPad. Press it again before interacting with the overlay.
Shortcuts
Keep control without hunting for a button.
Defaults are shown for your operating system. Change any binding in Settings > Shortcuts.
- Analyze the visible question
- macOS ⌘⌥A Windows Ctrl+Alt+A
- Add one screen
- macOS ⌘⌥S Windows Ctrl+Alt+S
- Analyze collected screens
- macOS ⌘⌥Enter Windows Ctrl+Alt+Enter
- Save a local screenshot
- macOS ⌘⌥P Windows Ctrl+Alt+P
- Stop Live Assist
- macOS ⌘⌥R Windows Ctrl+Alt+R
- Move the overlay
- macOS ⌘⌥ + Arrow Windows Ctrl+Alt + Arrow
- Resize the overlay
- macOS ⌘⌥⇧ + Arrow Windows Ctrl+Alt+Shift + Arrow
- Hide or show ClawPad
- macOS ⌘⌥G Windows Ctrl+Alt+G
- Toggle type-through mode
- macOS ⌘⌥T Windows Ctrl+Alt+T
Troubleshooting
Fix the state, then refresh Setup.
Do not guess whether a permission or dependency is ready; use ClawPad’s report.
Screen capture still says Blocked
Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording. Remove an older ClawPad entry, add the copy in Applications again, enable it, then fully quit and reopen ClawPad.
Voice setup cannot find FFmpeg
Install FFmpeg with brew install ffmpeg, reopen ClawPad, and refresh Setup. Screenshot analysis does not require FFmpeg.
The answer says no clear question was detected
Resize and position ClawPad so the complete prompt is readable inside its bounds. Avoid capturing mostly browser chrome, chat sidebars, partial code, or an unrelated desktop.
I need diagnostic details
Open Diagnostics inside ClawPad. On macOS, the app log is stored at ~/Library/Application Support/app.interviewclaw.clawpad/logs/clawpad.log.
Ready to practice
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