Desktop App
The Copera desktop app is a native application for Windows and macOS that unlocks system-level features browsers cannot provide — most importantly, Bankai voice AI. While Copera works fully in any modern browser, the desktop app adds global keyboard shortcuts that work when Copera is in the background, a floating voice widget that stays visible above every other window, system tray quick access, native operating system notifications, and microphone selection. If you plan to use voice input, the desktop app is required.
Why Use the Desktop App?
Browsers are sandboxed for security, which means they cannot register keyboard shortcuts that work when the browser is in the background, display floating overlays above other windows, or integrate with your operating system's tray and notification system. The desktop app removes these limitations.
Here is what the desktop app provides that the browser cannot:
| Feature | Browser | Desktop App |
|---|---|---|
| Full Copera workspace | Yes | Yes |
| Bankai voice AI | No | Yes |
| Global keyboard shortcuts (work when Copera is in the background) | No | Yes |
| Floating voice widget overlay | No | Yes |
| System tray quick access | No | Yes |
| Native operating system notifications | Limited | Yes |
| Microphone selection and testing | No | Yes |
| Auto-updates | N/A | Yes |
Everything you can do in the browser version of Copera also works in the desktop app. The desktop app runs the same Copera interface with additional system-level capabilities layered on top.
Installation
Windows
- Visit the Copera download page or ask your workspace administrator for the installer link.
- Download the Windows installer (.exe file).
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Once installed, open Copera from your Start menu or desktop shortcut.
- Sign in with your Copera account.
macOS
- Visit the Copera download page or ask your workspace administrator for the installer link.
- Download the macOS installer (.dmg file).
- Open the downloaded file and drag the Copera icon into your Applications folder.
- Open Copera from your Applications folder or Spotlight search.
- If macOS asks you to confirm that you want to open an app downloaded from the internet, click Open.
- Sign in with your Copera account.
On macOS, you may need to grant Copera permission to access your microphone and send notifications. macOS will prompt you for these permissions the first time each feature is used. You can also manage these in System Settings > Privacy & Security.
First Launch
When you open the desktop app for the first time and sign in, you will see your familiar Copera workspace --- the same interface you know from the browser. The desktop-specific features layer on top of this experience.
To confirm you are running the desktop app (rather than a browser tab), look for:
- The system tray icon (Windows taskbar or macOS menu bar) showing the Copera logo.
- The Bankai toggle in your profile menu (click your avatar in the bottom-left corner). This toggle only appears in the desktop app.
Desktop-Only Features
Bankai Voice AI
Bankai is Copera's voice-powered productivity feature. It lets you speak instead of type --- at up to 4x your typing speed. Bankai operates through global keyboard shortcuts that work even when Copera is not the active window.
The core interaction is simple:
- Hold the shortcut key --- Ctrl+Win on Windows, Fn on Mac.
- Speak naturally --- say whatever you need.
- Release the key --- Bankai processes your speech and takes action.
Bankai has five voice modes (Omni, Dictation, Ask, Commands, and Chat) that let you dictate text, ask questions, navigate Copera by voice, or have a spoken conversation with AI.
For complete documentation on Bankai, see the dedicated guides:
- What is Bankai --- Overview and core concepts
- Getting Started with Bankai --- Enable and complete the training wizard
- Voice Modes --- All five modes explained
- Keyboard Shortcuts --- Full shortcut reference
- Voice Settings --- Configuration options
Global Keyboard Shortcuts
In the browser, keyboard shortcuts only work when the browser tab is focused. The desktop app registers shortcuts at the operating system level, so they work no matter what application you are using.
This means you can be working in any application --- a spreadsheet, a document, an email client --- and press the voice shortcut to start recording without switching windows. When Bankai finishes processing, the result is ready in Copera.
The key global shortcuts are:
| Action | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Push-to-talk (hold to record) | Ctrl+Win | Fn |
| Hands-free toggle | Ctrl+Win+Space | Fn+Space |
| Cycle voice mode | Shift+Win | Shift+Fn |
| Cancel recording | Escape | Escape |
All shortcuts are customizable in Voice Settings. See Keyboard Shortcuts for the full reference.
Floating Voice Widget
When you activate Bankai, a small floating pill appears at the bottom of your screen. This widget:
- Shows whether you are recording, processing, or idle.
- Displays the current voice mode with its name and color.
- Appears above all other windows, so you can see your recording status no matter what application is in front.
- Includes a gear icon for quick access to Voice Settings and Voice History.
The floating widget stays visible outside the Copera window, so you always know when Bankai is listening.
System Tray
The Copera icon appears in your system tray (Windows taskbar notification area or macOS menu bar). The system tray icon provides quick access to Copera without searching for the window.
Native Notifications
The desktop app uses your operating system's native notification system instead of browser notifications. Native notifications:
- Appear even when Copera is minimized or in the background.
- Integrate with your system's notification center (Windows Action Center or macOS Notification Center).
- Support click-to-navigate, taking you directly to the relevant item in Copera.
Voice Settings (Desktop)
The desktop app adds a Desktop Settings section to the Voice Settings page. These settings control how the desktop voice features behave on your specific device.
To access Desktop Settings:
- Click your avatar in the bottom-left corner to open your profile menu.
- Click Bankai Settings, or navigate to Settings > Voice.
- Scroll down to the Desktop Settings section.
Microphone
Choose which microphone Bankai uses for voice recording. Options include:
- System default microphone --- Uses whatever your operating system has set as the default input device.
- Any specific microphone connected to your computer.
If no microphones are detected, the dropdown will show a message asking you to check your audio devices or app permissions.
When you connect or disconnect a microphone, the list updates automatically.
If you see "No microphones detected," make sure your microphone is plugged in and that Copera has permission to access it. On macOS, check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. On Windows, check Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
Desktop Toggles
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Copy to Clipboard | Automatically copies dictation results to the system clipboard so you can paste them into other applications | Off |
| Show Widget When Inactive | Keeps the floating voice widget visible even when you are not recording | Off |
| Mute system audio during recording | Silences your computer's audio output while the microphone is capturing, to prevent echo or feedback | Off |
| Mute dictation sounds | Disables the start and stop sounds that play when recording begins and ends | Off |
| Mute thinking sound | Disables the ambient sound that plays while the AI is processing your speech | Off |
Keyboard Shortcut Customization
All voice keyboard shortcuts can be customized in the Desktop Settings section:
- Find the shortcut you want to change.
- Click the pencil icon next to the current shortcut.
- Press the new key combination you want to use.
- The shortcut is saved immediately.
Press Escape while recording a new shortcut to cancel the change.
The shortcuts you can customize are:
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Push-to-talk | Hold to record, release to process |
| Hands-free toggle | Toggle continuous recording on and off |
| Mode cycle | Rotate through the five voice modes |
| Dictation mode | Direct shortcut to record in Dictation mode |
| Ask mode | Direct shortcut to record in Ask mode |
| Commands mode | Direct shortcut to record in Commands mode |
| Chat mode | Direct shortcut to record in Chat mode |
Shortcut customizations are stored locally on your device. If you use Copera on multiple computers, you will need to set up your preferred shortcuts on each one.
Keeping the Desktop App Updated
The Copera desktop app checks for updates automatically. When a newer version is available, a banner appears at the top of the Copera window with a message like "A new version is available" and an Update button.
- Click the Update button to open the download page.
- Download and install the latest version.
- Reopen Copera.
You can dismiss the update banner temporarily by clicking the close icon, but the banner will reappear if you continue using an outdated version.
Keep the desktop app up to date to ensure you have the latest voice features, performance improvements, and bug fixes. Major new Bankai capabilities are often delivered through desktop app updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the desktop app to use Copera?
No. Copera works fully in any modern web browser. The desktop app is only necessary if you want to use Bankai voice AI, global keyboard shortcuts, or the floating voice widget.
Can I use the browser and desktop app at the same time?
Yes. You can have Copera open in a browser tab and in the desktop app simultaneously. They share the same account and workspace data. However, Bankai voice features will only work in the desktop app.
Which operating systems are supported?
The Copera desktop app is available for Windows and macOS.
Where is my data stored?
Your workspace data is stored on Copera's servers, the same as when using the browser. The desktop app stores a small amount of local data on your device, including your voice settings, keyboard shortcut preferences, and a local cache of recent voice sessions.
How do I uninstall the desktop app?
- Windows: Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, find Copera, and click Uninstall.
- macOS: Open your Applications folder, find Copera, and drag it to the Trash.
The floating widget is not appearing. What should I do?
Make sure Bankai is enabled. Open your profile menu (click your avatar) and check that the Bankai toggle is turned on. If the toggle is on but the widget does not appear, try restarting the desktop app.
My keyboard shortcuts are not working.
- Verify that Bankai is enabled in your profile menu.
- Check that no other application is using the same keyboard shortcut. Conflicting global shortcuts can prevent Copera from registering the key press.
- Try resetting the shortcut in Voice Settings > Desktop Settings by clicking the pencil icon and re-recording the key combination.
Related Features
- What is Bankai --- Voice AI overview and core concepts
- Getting Started with Bankai --- Enable and walk through the training wizard
- Voice Settings --- Full voice configuration reference
- History & Analytics --- Track your voice usage and milestones