---
title: "Set Up RewriteBar on macOS"
description: "Set up RewriteBar on macOS by activating your license, granting Accessibility access, connecting an AI provider, and choosing a shortcut."
url: "https://rewritebar.com/docs/getting-started/setup"
---

# Setup RewriteBar

Use this checklist once. After this, RewriteBar should work reliably across apps.

## Guided Onboarding On First Launch

On first launch, RewriteBar walks you through:

1. License activation (trial or paid)
2. Granting Accessibility permission
3. Setting the main keyboard shortcut to trigger RewriteBar

You can complete everything there, then continue to your first rewrite.

## 1\. Activate License or Trial

1. Open RewriteBar
2. Enter your license key or start your trial
3. Click `Activate`
4. Confirm status shows as activated

If you skip onboarding, you can activate later in:

1. RewriteBar `Settings`
2. `License`
3. Enter key and click `Activate`

## 2\. Grant Accessibility Permission

RewriteBar needs macOS Accessibility access to replace selected text.

1. Open `System Settings` \-> `Privacy & Security` \-> `Accessibility`
2. Enable RewriteBar
3. Restart RewriteBar if macOS asks

This step is also requested during first-launch onboarding.

## 3\. Configure Your AI Provider

1. Open RewriteBar `Settings` \-> `AI Providers`
2. Select your preferred provider
3. Add your API key for cloud providers
4. Test the provider connection

Provider details: [AI Providers](https://rewritebar.com/docs/ai-providers)

## 4\. Set Trigger Shortcut

1. Open RewriteBar `Settings` \-> `Shortcuts`
2. Set your global trigger shortcut
3. Check it does not conflict with another app

Shortcut reference: [Shortcuts](https://rewritebar.com/docs/core-features/shortcuts)

## 5\. Run a First Rewrite Test

1. Select text in any app
2. Trigger RewriteBar
3. Choose `Fix Grammar & Spelling`
4. Apply the result

Trigger options: [Trigger RewriteBar](https://rewritebar.com/docs/getting-started/trigger-rewritebar)

## Quick Checks If It Does Not Work

1. RewriteBar is running
2. Accessibility permission is enabled
3. Provider is configured and valid
4. Shortcut has no conflict

More help: [Troubleshooting](https://rewritebar.com/docs/troubleshooting)