When Sopycat turns a recording into a manual, it writes a short title and a sentence or two for each step. You can choose who writes those words. Most people never need to change this.
What always stays on your computer
Recording, finding the steps and taking the pictures always happen on your computer, whatever you choose here. This setting only changes who writes the sentences.
Change the option
Settings › How the words get written
- Open Settings from the bottom of the sidebar.
- Find How the words get written.
- Click the option you want. Some options need a download or a key first. See below.
The new option is used for the next recording you make. To rewrite a manual you already have, see Rewrite a manual with the new option.
The four options
| Option | Good for | Needs | Leaves your computer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple sentences (recommended) | Most people. Short, correct steps like "Click the Save button". | Nothing | Nothing |
| Smarter writing, on this computer | Fuller instructions without sending anything out | A one-time download of a few GB, and a newer PC | Nothing |
| Sopycat account | The best writing, through Sopycat's service | The key from your purchase email, and internet | The pictures being described |
| My own Anthropic key | Technical users who already have an Anthropic account | Your own key, and internet | The pictures being described |
Simple sentences
This is the one Sopycat starts with. It writes short, plain steps straight away. You don't need an account or an internet connection, and there is no waiting. It is a good choice for almost everyone, and you can always add your own words to any step.
Smarter writing, on this computer
This downloads a writing helper that runs on your own PC and writes fuller instructions. Nothing leaves your computer. It works best on a newer PC, and it is slower than simple sentences.
- Choose Smarter writing, on this computer.
- Pick a helper from the list. See the table below.
- Tick Use the graphics card if your PC has a good one. This is usually faster.
- Click Download and set up and wait for the download to finish. It is a one-time download.
- Click Start and check to make sure it works.
| Helper | Download | Memory your PC needs |
|---|---|---|
| Qwen3-VL 4B (recommended) | 3.3 GB | About 8 GB |
| Gemma 3 4B | 3.0 GB | About 8 GB |
| Qwen3-VL 8B (better, slower) | 5.5 GB | About 12 GB |
| Qwen2.5-VL 3B (smallest) | 2.6 GB | About 6 GB |
To free up space, click Remove. Stop shuts the helper down while it is running. Advanced options is for technical users who want to point Sopycat at helper files of their own.
Not sure how much memory your PC has? In Windows, open Settings › System › About and look at "Installed RAM".
Sopycat account
This sends the step pictures to Sopycat's writing service, which writes the sentences and sends them back. Your manuals stay on your computer. Only the pictures being described are sent.
- Choose Sopycat account.
- Paste the key from your purchase email into the box. It looks like SOPY-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX.
- Click Check.
The Sopycat writing service is not open yet. Until it is, use Simple sentences or Smarter writing, on this computer. For your key and what you bought, see Buying and your key.
My own Anthropic key
This is for technical users who have their own account with Anthropic. Sopycat sends the step pictures to Anthropic with your key, and any cost is billed to your Anthropic account.
- Choose My own Anthropic key.
- Paste your key into the key box.
- Leave the model box empty to use the default, or type a model name.
- Click Check.
What is sent with the online options
With Sopycat account or My own Anthropic key, the writer needs to see each step. It gets the step's picture and a short description of what you clicked and typed. Your library, your other manuals and your recording video stay on your computer.
If you turned on Blur personal details in the pictures automatically, the copies sent to the writer are blurred too. See Blur personal details automatically. To stop Sopycat writing down what you type, see What if I type a password?
For more on what stays where, see Privacy and your data.
If the writer can't be reached
You never lose a recording because a helper or a server wasn't available. If the chosen writer can't be reached, Sopycat writes simple sentences instead and adds a note to the manual to say so. You can rewrite the manual later.
Rewrite a manual with the new option
Library › open a manual › More options (⋯) › Rewrite from the recording
This writes every step again from the recording, using the option you have chosen now.
Rewriting replaces your edits to the words and pictures. Steps you added by hand are kept, at the end. Earlier versions stay available, so you can put the old one back. See Go back to an earlier version.
Regulated office mode
Settings › Regulated office
If your office must keep everything on its own computers, turn on regulated office mode. It switches off Sopycat account and My own Anthropic key, and hides Share as a web page. Simple sentences and smarter writing on this computer still work.
Common questions
Which one should I pick?
Start with Simple sentences. If you find yourself rewriting a lot of steps and your PC has at least 8 GB of memory, try Smarter writing, on this computer.
Which one is fastest?
Simple sentences writes the words instantly, and a whole manual usually takes a minute or two. Smarter writing on this computer takes longer, because your own PC does the writing.
Can I change my mind later?
Yes. Change the option at any time. Manuals you already have keep their words until you rewrite them.
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