Elephas

Installing Elephas

Step-by-step guide to download and install Elephas on your Mac from the App Store or direct download.

Download Elephas

Elephas is available for Mac as a direct download from the website and through the Mac App Store. We recommend the website version because it includes all Elephas features. The Mac App Store version is missing some features (like Super Command) due to App Store sandboxing restrictions.

Direct download (recommended)

  1. Visit elephas.app and click Download
  2. Open the downloaded .dmg file
  3. Drag Elephas into your Applications folder
  4. Open Elephas. On first launch, macOS may ask you to confirm you want to open the app

The website version includes the full feature set: Super Command, all AI providers, Workflows, integrations, and offline models.

From the Mac App Store

If you prefer App Store automatic updates and a sandboxed install, you can download Elephas from the Mac App Store. Because of Apple sandboxing, the App Store version does not include these features:

  • Menu Bar icon and Status Menu
  • Super Command (the Ctrl + Space command bar) and custom Hotkey configuration
  • Snippets and the Writing Features
  • Workflows and the Floater Menu
  • Keynote Export

The License and Hotkeys settings tabs are also hidden in the App Store version, and no separate license key is emailed — your subscription and activation are handled automatically by Apple.

  1. Open the Elephas page on the Mac App Store
  2. Click Get, then Install
  3. Open Elephas from your Applications folder or Launchpad

System requirements

  • macOS 13 (Ventura) or later
  • Apple Silicon (M1 or later) recommended for offline AI features
  • At least 4 GB of available storage for offline models

After installation

When you first open Elephas, you will see the onboarding screen. Follow the steps to configure your AI provider and create your first workspace (Super Brain). You can launch Elephas any time from Spotlight (Cmd + Space) or Launchpad, and it lives in the menu bar. If the menu bar icon doesn't appear, quit a few other menu bar apps to make room.

Finding your license key (direct purchase)

Direct purchases are handled through Gumroad. Your license key arrives by email with a subject like “You've subscribed to Elephas…” or “You got Elephas (Pro)…”, from kambanthemaker@creators.gumroad.com or noreply@customers.gumroad.com (check your Spam folder). That email also contains your .dmg download link.

To retrieve it later:

  1. Sign in at gumroad.com/login
  2. Open gumroad.com/library and select your Elephas purchase
  3. Copy the license key, download an invoice, or click resend to email yourself a fresh copy

(App Store purchases have no separate key — activation is automatic via Apple.)

Granting permissions

Elephas requests a couple of macOS permissions the first time you use the related features:

  • Accessibility (System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility) — required for Super Command and text-editing features
  • Automation (System Settings > Privacy & Security > Automation) — lets Elephas read the active page/URL when you invoke AI features

These are auto-requested when you first use a feature. If something stops working, toggle the permission off and back on, then restart Elephas. See Common Issues for permission error messages.

Related articles

Getting StartedCreating Your First BrainLearn how to set up your first workspace and add your documents, PDFs, and notes to start asking questions.SettingsAI Provider ConfigurationStep-by-step setup for OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, Ollama, and other AI providers in Elephas. Switch between Offline, Cloud, and Bring Your Own Key modes.Privacy & Data ProtectionOffline AI ModeRun language models locally on your Mac with no internet connection. Complete privacy with Apple Silicon.