Pluely: The 10MB Open Source Tool Top Devs Hide During Meetings

What if your biggest competitive advantage in your next interview was completely invisible?

Picture this: You're in a high-stakes technical interview. The interviewer fires a complex system design question your way. Your heart races. Your mind blanks. Meanwhile, your competitor—sitting in their own interview right now—is getting real-time architectural guidance, code suggestions, and confidence boosts from an AI assistant that nobody can see. Not on screen shares. Not in recordings. Not even in screenshots.

Sounds unfair? It is. And until now, this superpower was locked behind a $15M company's paywall or bloated software that hogs 270MB of RAM and announces itself to everyone in the room.

Enter Pluely—the open source, privacy-first AI assistant that's 27 times smaller, 50% lighter on resources, and completely undetectable during video calls. Built with Rust and Tauri, this 10MB powerhouse is rewriting the rules of real-time AI assistance. No subscriptions. No data harvesting. No compromises.

Ready to discover why developers are quietly abandoning bloated alternatives? Let's pull back the curtain on the most disruptive open source tool of 2025.

What is Pluely?

Pluely is the open source alternative to Cluely, a well-funded AI assistant designed to help users during meetings, interviews, and conversations. Created by Srikanth Nani, Pluely replicates—and dramatically improves upon—Cluely's core functionality while delivering radical transparency, customization, and performance that proprietary software simply cannot match.

At its core, Pluely is a translucent desktop overlay application that sits above all your windows, providing instant AI assistance through voice input, system audio capture, screenshots, and file analysis. The critical differentiator? Complete invisibility. The overlay is engineered to be screenshot-proof, screen-share-proof, and recording-proof across all major platforms: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack Huddles, and beyond.

Why It's Trending Now

The timing couldn't be more explosive. As AI-assisted work becomes normalized, professionals face a brutal dilemma: leverage AI for competitive advantage or risk falling behind. Corporate tools increasingly monitor usage. Proprietary solutions lock your data in opaque clouds. Pluely shatters this false choice by offering enterprise-grade AI assistance with radical privacy.

The repository has gained massive traction because it solves three pain points simultaneously:

• Performance anxiety: 10MB vs. 270MB. Under 100ms startup vs. several seconds. Native Rust core vs. embedded Chromium bloat.
• Privacy paranoia: 100% local storage, zero telemetry, direct API calls to your chosen provider—no middleware, no surveillance.
• Cost barrier: Free and open source under GPL v3 vs. expensive subscription models.

Built on Tauri v2 with a React + TypeScript frontend, Pluely represents a new generation of desktop applications that prove you don't need Electron's resource gluttony to deliver beautiful, functional cross-platform software.

Key Features That Make Pluely Insane

🪶 Ultra-Lightweight Architecture

Pluely's entire footprint is approximately 10MB—a staggering 27x smaller than Cluely's ~270MB installation. This isn't marketing fluff; it's the direct result of Tauri's intelligent design, which leverages your system's native webview instead of shipping an entire browser engine. The application typically consumes less than 50MB RAM during normal operation, leaving your system resources for actual work.

👻 True Invisibility Mode

The translucent overlay window isn't merely transparent—it's engineered for stealth. Adjustable transparency levels let you see through it while maintaining functionality. The window sits above all applications without triggering screen capture detection. Keyboard shortcuts (Cmd+\ or Ctrl+\) instantly show or hide it. Arrow key movement lets you reposition without mouse interaction. Hide the dock icon entirely for maximum discretion.

🎙️ Multi-Modal Input System

Voice Input (Cmd+Shift+A / Ctrl+Shift+A): Record and transcribe speech using OpenAI Whisper, ElevenLabs, Groq Whisper, or custom providers. Voice activity detection automatically identifies speech patterns.

System Audio Capture (Cmd+Shift+M / Ctrl+Shift+M): Capture and transcribe audio directly from your computer's output—perfect for analyzing meetings, presentations, or any system audio in real-time.

Screenshot Intelligence (Cmd+Shift+S / Ctrl+Shift+S): Two capture modes (full screen or selection area) with manual or automatic AI processing. Send visual data for instant analysis without anyone knowing.

🔧 Unlimited Provider Flexibility

Pluely's Dev Space breaks the vendor lock-in chains. Connect to any LLM provider—OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, xAI Grok, Mistral, Cohere, Perplexity, Groq, Ollama, or completely custom endpoints via curl commands. The same flexibility extends to STT providers: Deepgram, Azure, Google Speech-to-Text, Rev.ai, IBM Watson, and beyond.

🏠 Privacy-First by Design

• SQLite local storage for all conversations and chat history
• Encrypted secure storage for credentials and license keys
• localStorage for settings and configurations—never transmitted
• Zero telemetry, analytics, or data collection
• Direct API calls from your device to your chosen provider—inspectable in developer tools
• Offline capability for all local features

Real-World Use Cases Where Pluely Dominates

1. Technical Interviews Without the Sweat

You're whiteboarding a distributed system design. The interviewer asks about consensus algorithms. Instead of panicking, you subtly trigger Pluely's voice input, whisper your question, and receive structured guidance on Raft vs. Paxos trade-offs—all while maintaining eye contact and appearing to thoughtfully consider your answer. The overlay remains invisible to the interviewer's screen share.

2. Sales Calls with Instant Product Intelligence

A prospect asks about an obscure feature integration. While they speak, Pluely captures system audio, transcribes their question, and cross-references your documentation. You receive concise talking points about API compatibility and implementation timelines without breaking conversational flow or visibly searching for answers.

3. Live Coding Sessions with Silent Mentorship

During pair programming or technical demonstrations, screenshot selection mode lets you capture specific code sections. Pluely analyzes syntax errors, suggests optimizations, or explains complex patterns—all while your screen appears clean to viewers. The cursor can be completely hidden when hovering over Pluely for extra caution.

4. Design Reviews with Real-Time Feedback

Share your Figma screen while Pluely analyzes competitor screenshots you've captured. Get instant accessibility suggestions, color contrast feedback, or layout optimization tips without revealing your research process. The manual screenshot mode lets you batch captures and submit them with custom prompts at strategic moments.

5. Educational Presentations with Hidden Support

Students and lifelong learners use Pluely during lectures and webinars. System audio capture transcribes the presentation in real-time, while voice input lets you ask clarifying questions without disrupting the class. Later, export the full conversation as markdown for study notes.

Step-by-Step Installation & Setup Guide

Prerequisites

Before building Pluely, ensure your system meets these requirements:

• Node.js v18 or higher
• Rust (latest stable toolchain)
• npm or yarn package manager
• Platform-specific Tauri dependencies (full prerequisites guide)

Platform-specific notes:

• Linux: Install WebKitGTK and related system libraries
• macOS: Xcode Command Line Tools recommended
• Windows: Microsoft Visual C++ Build Tools

Development Setup

# Clone the repository from GitHub
git clone https://github.com/iamsrikanthnani/pluely.git
cd pluely

# Install all Node.js dependencies
npm install

# Launch the Tauri development server with hot reload
npm run tauri dev

The npm run tauri dev command compiles the Rust backend, starts the Vite development server for the React frontend, and opens the application window. First compilation takes 1-3 minutes depending on your system; subsequent starts are nearly instant.

Production Build

# Create optimized production binaries
npm run tauri build

This generates platform-specific installers in src-tauri/target/release/bundle/:

Pre-Built Binaries

Prefer not to build from source? Download official releases directly:

• Download for macOS
• Download for Windows
• Download for Linux

Initial Configuration

After installation, open the Dashboard (Cmd+Shift+D / Ctrl+Shift+D) and navigate to:

1. Dev Space → AI Providers: Add your API key for OpenAI, Anthropic, or preferred provider
2. Dev Space → STT Providers: Configure speech-to-text service
3. App Settings: Adjust theme, autostart, and icon visibility preferences
4. Cursor & Shortcuts: Customize keyboard shortcuts to your workflow
5. System Prompts: Create or select default AI behavior instructions

REAL Code Examples from the Repository

Example 1: Custom AI Provider Integration

Pluely's Dev Space lets you integrate any LLM provider using familiar curl syntax. Here's the exact pattern from the documentation:

# Example: Custom AI Provider Configuration
# This curl command integrates any REST API-based LLM service

curl -X POST https://api.example.com/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer {{API_KEY}}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "{{MODEL}}",
    "messages": [
      {"role": "system", "content": "{{SYSTEM_PROMPT}}"},
      {"role": "user", "content": "{{TEXT}}"}
    ]
  }'

What's happening here? Pluely replaces dynamic variables at runtime:

• {{TEXT}} — Your typed or transcribed input
• {{SYSTEM_PROMPT}} — Active behavior instructions from your prompt library
• {{MODEL}} — Selected model identifier (e.g., gpt-4, claude-3-opus-20240229)
• {{API_KEY}} — Securely stored credential, injected per-request
• {{IMAGE}} — Base64-encoded screenshot data when using vision capabilities

This architecture means you're never limited to pre-configured providers. Running a local Llama instance via Ollama? Corporate Azure OpenAI deployment? Niche startup API? If it speaks HTTP and returns JSON, Pluely connects to it. The response path configuration (e.g., choices[0].message.content) tells Pluely exactly where to extract the AI's reply from any response structure.

Example 2: Custom Speech-to-Text Provider

The same flexibility extends to voice transcription:

# Example: Custom STT Provider Configuration
# Integrate any audio transcription service with multipart form support

curl -X POST https://api.example.com/v1/audio/transcriptions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer {{API_KEY}}" \
  -H "Content-Type: multipart/form-data" \
  -F "file={{AUDIO}}" \
  -F "model=whisper-1"

Key variables explained:

• {{AUDIO}} — The recorded audio blob, automatically formatted per provider requirements
• {{API_KEY}} — Your STT service authentication
• {{LANGUAGE}} — Target transcription language from your settings

Pluely handles audio format conversion, sample rate normalization, and voice activity detection upstream. Your custom provider receives clean, ready-to-process audio. The response path extracts the transcription text—whether it's a simple text field or nested like results[0].transcript.

Example 3: Quick Start Development Commands

The repository's core development workflow demonstrates Tauri's elegant developer experience:

# Clone and enter the project directory
git clone https://github.com/iamsrikanthnani/pluely.git
cd pluely

# Install dependencies — includes Tauri CLI, React, TypeScript toolchain
npm install

# Start development with hot reload on both frontend and Rust backend
npm run tauri dev

Why this matters: Traditional desktop development requires separate build systems for frontend and backend, complex IPC configuration, and painful debugging across language boundaries. Tauri unifies this: npm run tauri dev watches your React code for instant HMR (Hot Module Replacement) while cargo recompiles Rust changes automatically. The application window updates without restart. For production, npm run tauri build invokes cargo build --release, optimizes the binary, and packages everything into native installers—no manual intervention required.

Example 4: Production Build Output Structure

Understanding the build artifacts helps with deployment and distribution:

# Generate production binaries for current platform
npm run tauri build

# Expected output locations by platform:
# src-tauri/target/release/bundle/
# ├── macos/
# │   └── pluely_0.x.x_x64.dmg          # macOS disk image
# ├── windows/
# │   ├── pluely_0.x.x_x64_en-US.msi    # Windows installer
# │   └── pluely_0.x.x_x64-setup.exe    # Standalone installer
# └── linux/
#     ├── pluely_0.x.x_amd64.deb        # Debian/Ubuntu package
#     ├── pluely-0.x.x-1.x86_64.rpm     # Fedora/RHEL package
#     └── pluely_0.x.x_amd64.AppImage   # Universal Linux executable

Each format is generated using Tauri's bundler, which handles code signing preparation, icon embedding, dependency metadata, and platform-specific packaging conventions. The .AppImage is particularly valuable for Linux—it runs on any distribution without installation, similar to macOS .app bundles.

Advanced Usage & Best Practices

Optimize for True Stealth

Hide the dock icon in App Settings for maximum discretion. Combine with Invisible cursor mode (macOS/Windows) so mouse movement over Pluely reveals nothing. Use Always On Top strategically—disable when not needed to avoid accidental exposure during alt-tab demonstrations.

Master Keyboard Shortcuts

Memorize the core shortcuts until they're muscle memory:

• Cmd+\ / Ctrl+\: Toggle overlay visibility (fastest hide/show)
• Cmd+Shift+I / Ctrl+Shift+I: Refocus input without mouse movement
• Arrow keys with Cmd/Ctrl held: Reposition window without cursor visibility

Customize shortcuts to avoid conflicts with your IDE or meeting software.

Leverage System Prompts Strategically

Create scenario-specific prompts: one for technical interviews (concise, algorithm-focused), one for sales calls (benefit-oriented, objection-handling), one for code review (critical, security-aware). Switch instantly based on context. Use the AI-powered prompt generator to refine effectiveness.

Screenshot Workflow Optimization

Manual mode for interviews: batch capture problem statements, submit with custom analysis prompts. Auto mode for presentations: configure a default prompt like "Summarize key points and flag anything I should question" for instant processing without interaction.

Provider Fallback Strategy

Configure multiple AI providers with different strengths: Groq for speed-critical scenarios, Claude for nuanced reasoning, local Ollama for completely offline operation. Switch based on network conditions and response quality requirements.

Comparison with Alternatives

The verdict? Pluely outperforms proprietary alternatives on every metric that matters to privacy-conscious, performance-oriented developers. The only trade-off is self-configuration versus turnkey convenience—and for technical users, that's a feature, not a bug.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Q: Is Pluely actually invisible in Zoom/Teams screen shares?

A: Yes. The translucent overlay uses OS-level window properties that exclude it from screen capture APIs. It's been tested across Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack Huddles, and Discord. Screenshots and recordings similarly fail to capture it.

Q: Can I use my own local LLM like Ollama?

A: Absolutely. Pluely's Dev Space supports Ollama natively, and the custom provider system connects to any local or remote HTTP endpoint. Your conversations stay on your machine entirely.

Q: Is this ethical to use in interviews?

A: Pluely is a tool; ethical use depends on context. Some interview formats explicitly permit resources; others don't. The open source nature lets you audit exactly what it does—unlike opaque alternatives. We encourage transparent disclosure where required.

Q: How does Pluely store my API keys?

A: License keys use encrypted secure storage in your application data directory. API keys for AI providers reside in localStorage, never transmitted to Pluely servers—there are no Pluely servers. All requests go directly from your device to your chosen provider.

Q: What if Pluely crashes during a critical moment?

A: The Rust core provides exceptional stability, but the instant startup (<100ms) means relaunching takes under a second. Enable autostart for background resilience. Conversations auto-save to SQLite after each message.

Q: Can I contribute features or new providers?

A: Bug fixes and existing feature improvements are welcome. New features, providers, and large UI changes are currently restricted to maintain focus. Check pluely.com/contribute for eligible bounty issues that earn lifetime Dev Pro licenses.

Q: Will Pluely slow down my machine during intensive meetings?

A: Unlikely. At <50MB RAM and minimal CPU usage, Pluely is designed to coexist with resource-heavy applications like video conferencing software without contention.

Conclusion: Your Invisible Advantage Awaits

Pluely represents something rare in today's AI landscape: genuine innovation with radical transparency. It proves that world-class performance, complete privacy, and open source freedom aren't mutually exclusive—they're the foundation of superior engineering.

The 10MB footprint isn't a gimmick; it's a statement about what's possible when you reject bloat and embrace native performance. The invisibility isn't a hack; it's thoughtful OS-level engineering. The zero-telemetry promise isn't marketing; it's verifiable in code you can read yourself.

Whether you're navigating high-stakes interviews, accelerating sales cycles, or simply wanting AI assistance without surveillance capitalism, Pluely delivers capabilities that were previously locked behind paywalls and proprietary black boxes.

The playing field just leveled. And it's 27 times lighter than before.

👉 Star Pluely on GitHub — contribute, fork, or simply experience what AI assistance should have been all along: fast, free, private, and completely under your control.

Ready to become invisible? Download Pluely now and join the developers who've already made the switch.

Built with ❤️ by Srikanth Nani. Licensed under GPL v3.