What if you could access AI without switching apps, opening a browser, or breaking your workflow? With Go Ask Chat's native macOS overlay, you can summon AI with a single keyboard shortcut from anywhere on your Mac.
Press Option + Shift + Space and a floating AI window appears instantly. Ask your question, get your answer, and dismiss it. Your current app stays exactly where it was.
Why This Changes Everything
Most AI chat apps require you to:
- Open a browser tab
- Navigate to the website
- Wait for it to load
- Find your conversation
- Type your question
- Switch back to your work
That's a lot of context switching. Every time you leave your current app, you lose focus. Studies show it takes an average of 23 minutes to fully regain concentration after a distraction.
Go Ask Chat's overlay eliminates all of that. One hotkey. Instant AI. No app switching.
How the Overlay Works
Summoning the Overlay
From anywhere on your Mac, press:
Option + Shift + Space
A sleek floating window appears on top of your current app. The input field is already focused, so you can start typing immediately.
Using It
The overlay gives you full access to all Go Ask Chat features:
- All AI models — Switch between GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and more
- Voice input — Click the microphone or use voice commands
- Conversation history — Access your previous chats
- Infinite Memory — AI remembers context from past conversations
Dismissing It
When you're done, press Escape or click outside the window. The overlay disappears and you're right back where you were.
Real-World Use Cases
While Coding
You're deep in your IDE debugging a tricky function. Hit the hotkey, ask "Why would this async function return undefined?", get an explanation, and continue coding. Never leave your editor.
While Writing
Drafting an email and need help with phrasing? Summon the overlay, ask for alternatives, pick the best one, dismiss. Your document stays open.
While Researching
Reading a PDF and encounter an unfamiliar term? Quick hotkey, ask for a definition, understand it, continue reading. No browser tabs required.
While Designing
Working in Figma and need color palette suggestions? The overlay is faster than any Google search.
Pro Tip
The overlay remembers your last-used AI model. If you prefer Claude for coding questions and GPT for writing, the model you used last will be ready when you summon the overlay again.
Why Native macOS Matters
Go Ask Chat isn't a web app running in a browser. It's a native macOS application built specifically for Apple silicon. This means:
- True system-level hotkeys — Works from any app, even fullscreen games
- Instant response — No browser overhead, no JavaScript delays
- Lower memory usage — Doesn't keep a browser tab running
- Proper dark mode — Follows your macOS appearance settings
- Menu bar integration — Quick access from the top of your screen
Customizing the Hotkey
Don't like Option + Shift + Space? You can change it. Go to Settings in the app and set any keyboard shortcut you prefer. Some popular alternatives:
Control + Space— Quick access with one handCommand + Shift + A— "A" for AIHyper + A— If you use a Hyper key configuration
Compared to Other Solutions
You might be wondering how this compares to other ways of accessing AI quickly:
ChatGPT Desktop App: Requires opening a separate window. No overlay mode. Have to switch to the app.
Raycast AI: Limited to one model. No model switching. Less conversational depth.
Browser Extensions: Requires browser to be open. Limited integration. Can't access from non-browser apps.
Alfred/Spotlight Plugins: Basic functionality only. No conversation history. No voice input.
Go Ask Chat's overlay combines the instant access of a launcher with the full power of a dedicated AI chat app.
Try the Overlay Free
Download Go Ask Chat for macOS and experience the fastest way to access AI. The overlay feature is included in both free and Pro plans.
Download for MacFrequently Asked Questions
Does the overlay work in fullscreen apps?
Yes. Because it's a native macOS feature, the overlay appears on top of fullscreen apps, including games and presentation software.
Can I use the overlay offline?
The overlay requires an internet connection to communicate with AI models. However, the overlay itself launches instantly regardless of connection status.
Does it work on Intel Macs?
Yes. Go Ask Chat supports both Apple silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel-based Macs running macOS 12 or later.
Can I have multiple overlay windows?
The overlay is designed for quick interactions, so it's a single floating window. For longer conversations, you can click "Open in App" to move to the full Go Ask Chat window.