What Mac do I need for ARKANA?

Any Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or later) and at least 16GB of unified memory. M1 Pro/Max/Ultra and M2/M3/M4 variants provide better performance for larger models.

Does ARKANA require internet?

No. ARKANA runs AI models entirely on-device using Apple's MLX framework and Neural Engine. Internet is only needed for optional features like web search augmentation and account sync.

Is my data safe with ARKANA?

Yes. All AI processing happens locally on your Mac. Your documents, conversations, and intelligence data never leave your device. ARKANA cannot and does not access your private data.

How is ARKANA different from ChatGPT?

ChatGPT processes everything in the cloud on OpenAI's servers. ARKANA runs on your Mac — zero latency, zero data exposure, and works offline. It learns your personal context locally, creating a truly personalised AI experience.

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Guide · 5 min read

ARKANA Quickstart Guide

Name: ARKANA OS
Availability: Waitlist
Rating: 4.9 (1500 reviews)

Get from zero to your first AI conversation in under 5 minutes. No cloud, no API keys, no data leaving your Mac.

1. Requirements

Before installing ARKANA, make sure you have:

Hardware: Any Mac with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4 — all variants)
Memory: Minimum 16GB unified memory (32GB+ recommended for larger models)
macOS: Version 14 (Sonoma) or later
Storage: 10GB free space for ARKANA + models

💡 Pro Tip: M1 Pro/Max and newer chips provide significantly better inference speeds. With 32GB+, you can run larger, more capable models locally.

2. Installation

Download the installer from your account dashboard or the link in your access email
Open the .dmg file and drag ARKANA to your Applications folder
Launch ARKANA from Applications (or Spotlight: ⌘ Space → “ARKANA”)
Grant the requested permissions (Accessibility, for global keyboard shortcuts)

🔒 Security: ARKANA is notarised by Apple. If macOS blocks the launch, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and click “Open Anyway”.

3. Activation

On first launch, you'll be prompted to enter your access key:

Access keys look like AK-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
You received your key via email or QR code
Activation validates your licence — no personal data is collected
Once activated, ARKANA works fully offline

Don't have an access key? Join the waitlist or check your queue position.

4. Your First Workspace

After activation, ARKANA automatically:

Downloads the base model — a 4-bit quantised LLM optimised for your chip (~4GB)
Initialises your intelligence layer — local memory, context store, and preferences
Creates your workspace — a private environment where all your data stays on-device

You can start chatting immediately. ARKANA learns your patterns, preferences, and context over time — building a truly personalised AI that's unique to you.

5. Key Features

🧠 On-Device Intelligence

AI runs on your Mac's Neural Engine and GPU. No cloud processing, no API calls, no latency.

🔒 Sovereign Privacy

Your data never leaves your device. We can't read it, access it, or monetise it.

✈️ Works Offline

Full AI capability with zero internet. Perfect for travel, secure environments, or simply disconnecting.

⚡ Zero Latency

Responses are instant — no round-trip to a server. Apple Silicon makes local inference blazing fast.

📚 Personal Context

ARKANA learns your vocabulary, preferences, and work patterns locally over time.

⌨️ Global Shortcuts

Invoke ARKANA from anywhere with a keyboard shortcut. Context-aware in any app.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

What Mac do I need?: Any Apple Silicon Mac (M1+) with 16GB+ RAM. M1 Pro/Max and newer provide better performance.
Does it require internet?: No. Core AI runs fully offline. Internet is optional for web search and account sync.
Is my data safe?: Yes. All processing is on-device. We cannot access your private data.
How is it different from ChatGPT?: ChatGPT runs in the cloud; ARKANA runs on your Mac. Zero latency, zero data exposure, works offline.

Ready to get started?

Join the Waitlist Browse Support →

1. Requirements

Before installing ARKANA, make sure you have:

Hardware: Any Mac with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4 — all variants)

Memory: Minimum 16GB unified memory (32GB+ recommended for larger models)

macOS: Version 14 (Sonoma) or later

Storage: 10GB free space for ARKANA + models

💡 Pro Tip: M1 Pro/Max and newer chips provide significantly better inference speeds. With 32GB+, you can run larger, more capable models locally.

2. Installation

Download the installer from your account dashboard or the link in your access email

Open the .dmg file and drag ARKANA to your Applications folder

Launch ARKANA from Applications (or Spotlight: ⌘ Space → “ARKANA”)

Grant the requested permissions (Accessibility, for global keyboard shortcuts)

🔒 Security: ARKANA is notarised by Apple. If macOS blocks the launch, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and click “Open Anyway”.

3. Activation

On first launch, you'll be prompted to enter your access key:

Access keys look like AK-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX

You received your key via email or QR code

Activation validates your licence — no personal data is collected

Once activated, ARKANA works fully offline

4. Your First Workspace

After activation, ARKANA automatically:

Downloads the base model — a 4-bit quantised LLM optimised for your chip (~4GB)

Initialises your intelligence layer — local memory, context store, and preferences

Creates your workspace — a private environment where all your data stays on-device

You can start chatting immediately. ARKANA learns your patterns, preferences, and context over time — building a truly personalised AI that's unique to you.

5. Key Features

🧠 On-Device Intelligence

AI runs on your Mac's Neural Engine and GPU. No cloud processing, no API calls, no latency.

🔒 Sovereign Privacy

Your data never leaves your device. We can't read it, access it, or monetise it.

✈️ Works Offline

Full AI capability with zero internet. Perfect for travel, secure environments, or simply disconnecting.

⚡ Zero Latency

Responses are instant — no round-trip to a server. Apple Silicon makes local inference blazing fast.

📚 Personal Context

ARKANA learns your vocabulary, preferences, and work patterns locally over time.

⌨️ Global Shortcuts

Invoke ARKANA from anywhere with a keyboard shortcut. Context-aware in any app.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

What Mac do I need?

Any Apple Silicon Mac (M1+) with 16GB+ RAM. M1 Pro/Max and newer provide better performance.

Does it require internet?

No. Core AI runs fully offline. Internet is optional for web search and account sync.

Is my data safe?

Yes. All processing is on-device. We cannot access your private data.

How is it different from ChatGPT?

ChatGPT runs in the cloud; ARKANA runs on your Mac. Zero latency, zero data exposure, works offline.