RewriteBar

macOS writing assistant that rewrites text in any app via a keyboard shortcut.

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Screenshot of RewriteBar, macOS writing assistant that rewrites text in any app via a keyboard shortcut

What is RewriteBar?

RewriteBar is a grammar checker tool. A Mac only AI writing assistant that opens from a keyboard shortcut in any app, offering grammar fixes, rewrites, translation into 500+ languages, chained custom actions, side by side comparison, and optional local model support through Ollama, LM Studio, oMLX, Apple Intelligence and Osaurus.

RewriteBar is a macOS utility that puts an AI writing layer on top of whatever application is already in use. Press a keyboard shortcut and the current text selection opens in a command window, where a list of actions can be picked with mouse or keyboard. Chosen actions run against that selection and the result is returned in place, so mail clients, chat apps, note tools and code editors all get the same treatment without per-app integrations. The built in actions cover the usual editing chores: grammar and spelling fixes that read surrounding context, tone and clarity rewrites, and translation into more than 500 languages, including variants such as UK to US English and novelty targets like Yoda style. A side by side compare view shows the original next to the rewrite, either line by line or word by word, so changes can be inspected before they are accepted. Several actions can also be chained, for example expanding a passage, adding emojis and translating it in one sequence. Beyond presets, users build their own actions from templates. The site publishes a large prompt library covering practical jobs: turning notes into action items, extracting a TL;DR summary with bullet points, converting formal address to informal (German Sie to Du, French vous to tu), drafting user story titles, humanizing AI text, simplifying language, fixing JSON, formatting SQL, generating lorem ipsum, and cleaning up smart quotes and long dashes. There are also templates for prompt injection hardening and prompt improvement, which suits people who spend their day inside AI tools. Privacy is a stated priority. RewriteBar can run against local models through Ollama, LM Studio, oMLX, Apple Intelligence and Osaurus, keeping text offline. A PopClip extension and configurable shortcuts round out the workflow. It competes with browser based paraphrasers and grammar checkers, but its edge is reach and automation: it works wherever text can be selected, and it favors customizable actions over a single generic rewrite button. The obvious ceiling is the Mac only requirement, which rules out Windows and mobile users entirely.

How do you use RewriteBar?

  1. 1Download the free trial build
    Get the macOS app from the start free page. The download is free to try, and a license is only needed once the trial period is over.
    RewriteBar — Download the free trial build
  2. 2Set a global shortcut and pick an AI provider
    Choose the keyboard shortcut that opens the command window, then decide whether actions run through a hosted provider or a local model such as Ollama, LM Studio, oMLX, Apple Intelligence or Osaurus.
  3. 3Run a first action on selected text
    Select a sentence in any app, trigger the shortcut, and pick Fix Grammar or Improve Writing. The rewritten text replaces the selection.
  4. 4Compare before accepting
    Open the compare view to check the original against the rewrite line by line or word by word, then keep or discard the change.
  5. 5Build a custom action from a template
    Browse the prompt library, pick a template such as TL;DR Summary or Humanize Text, and adjust the instructions to match your own writing conventions.
    RewriteBar — Build a custom action from a template
  6. 6Buy a license when the trial ends
    Purchase a license from the pricing page to keep using RewriteBar after the free trial.
    RewriteBar — Buy a license when the trial ends

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Works inside virtually any Mac app through a single keyboard shortcut, with no per-app plugins neededAI
  • Side by side compare view (line or word level) makes it easy to audit changes before accepting themAI
  • Large published prompt library covers both writing tasks and developer chores like JSON repair and SQL formattingAI
  • Local model support via Ollama, LM Studio, oMLX, Apple Intelligence and Osaurus keeps text offlineAI
  • Actions can be chained into multi step flows and customized from presetsAI

Cons

  • Mac only, so Windows, Linux and mobile users are excluded entirelyAI
  • The homepage does not disclose which hosted AI models are used or where text goes when local models are not enabledAI
  • Bundled presets can feel like a grab bag, and non writing templates like ASCII art or JSON repair may confuse buyers shopping for a writing toolAI
  • Dependence on keyboard shortcuts and a command window is less discoverable than inline suggestions in dedicated editorsAI
  • No documentation on what happens to text after processing beyond the local model claimAI

How much does RewriteBar cost?

Free trial

The app can be downloaded and tried for free, and the site states that upgrading is only necessary once the trial has been evaluated. Trial length and any limits are not specified on the homepage.

Learn more

Pricing

A paid license is required for continued use, and the homepage points buyers to the pricing page for the actual figures, which are not shown on the landing page. A free download with a trial period is offered as a way to evaluate the app before paying.

Learn more

Integrations

A PopClip extension triggers commands or opens a selection from the PopClip menu. Local AI providers supported are Ollama, LM Studio, oMLX, Apple Intelligence and Osaurus, and the app otherwise works on top of any macOS application.

Learn more

Features

Grammar and spelling correction, tone and clarity rewrites, translation into 500+ languages (including UK to US English and joke targets), custom actions built from presets, a compare view with line or word level diffs, chained multi action flows, keyboard shortcuts, PopClip integration, and local model support via Ollama, LM Studio, oMLX, Apple Intelligence and Osaurus. A published library of ready made prompt templates covers writing, developer and productivity jobs.

Frequently asked questions about RewriteBar

  • How much does RewriteBar cost?
    A paid license is required for continued use, and the homepage points buyers to the pricing page for the actual figures, which are not shown on the landing page. A free download with a trial period is offered as a way to evaluate the app before paying.
  • Does RewriteBar offer a free trial?
    The app can be downloaded and tried for free, and the site states that upgrading is only necessary once the trial has been evaluated. Trial length and any limits are not specified on the homepage.
  • How do you use RewriteBar?
    The walkthrough on this page covers 6 steps: 1. Download the free trial build 2. Set a global shortcut and pick an AI provider 3. Run a first action on selected text 4. Compare before accepting 5. Build a custom action from a template 6. Buy a license when the trial ends.
  • What platforms does RewriteBar support?
    RewriteBar is available on MacOS.
  • What does RewriteBar integrate with?
    A PopClip extension triggers commands or opens a selection from the PopClip menu. Local AI providers supported are Ollama, LM Studio, oMLX, Apple Intelligence and Osaurus, and the app otherwise works on top of any macOS application.
  • What are the limitations of RewriteBar?
    Mac only, so Windows, Linux and mobile users are excluded entirely. The homepage does not disclose which hosted AI models are used or where text goes when local models are not enabled. Bundled presets can feel like a grab bag, and non writing templates like ASCII art or JSON repair may confuse buyers shopping for a writing tool.

Status

StatusActive
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Added10/21/2026

Platforms

MacOS

Pricing

Free TrialPaid