Muesli
If Granola and Wisprflow had an open source on device baby
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What is Muesli?
Muesli is a local‑first AI‑powered dictation and meeting‑transcription app designed for macOS, positioned under the domain freedspeech.xyz. It turns spoken language into text using on‑device local inference, so speech processing happens directly on the user’s machine rather than in the cloud. The tool automatically records and transcribes meetings by capturing screen and system audio, turning Zoom‑style calls, internal stand‑ups, or client calls into searchable text logs that stay under the user’s control. It is aimed at knowledge workers, developers, researchers, and remote teams who want privacy‑first transcription without relying on third‑party cloud services. Muesli also integrates with macOS Calendar and Google Calendar to automatically detect and transcribe upcoming meetings, making it easy to keep a running transcript library for recurring calls or one‑off discussions.
Key features include system‑wide hotkey‑triggered dictation, automatic meeting recording and transcription, and seamless paste‑to‑any text field from the transcription interface. It works entirely offline once installed, using local models so no audio or text is sent to external servers. The app is distributed via a downloadable macOS bundle and a Homebrew Cask, which simplifies installation and updates for technically inclined users. Muesli is tailored for macOS‑only workflows, with setup steps that walk the user through macOS‑specific permissions such as Screen Recording, Accessibility, and Input Monitoring, effectively turning the Mac into a self‑contained speech‑to‑text station.
The tool is particularly attractive to users who are privacy‑conscious or subject to strict data‑residency rules, such as those handling sensitive internal communications or confidential client discussions. It also suits people who frequently participate in long, dense meetings and want a searchable, time‑stamped record without manually taking notes. Developers and power users benefit from the Homebrew installation path and the low‑level permission model, which lets them control exactly how and when Muesli accesses audio and UI elements. Overall, muesli is positioned as a lightweight, self‑hosted alternative to online AI transcription tools, emphasizing local‑first computation and a tight integration with macOS internals.
Muesli pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
The website does not list any paid tiers or subscription plans; the app appears to be distributed as a free, one‑time download with a Homebrew Cask option. There is no mention of a free tier, paid plans, usage limits, or premium features, suggesting that full functionality is available at no monetary cost, though the user is responsible for meeting any hardware or system‑requirement constraints themselves.
Muesli pros
- On‑device local inference with no cloud upload
- Completely offline speech‑to‑text once installed
- macOS‑first design with tight integration into system settings
- Hotkey‑triggered dictation anywhere in the OS
- Automatic meeting recording and transcription from system audio
- Supports both built‑in calendar and Google Calendar for meeting detection
- Deduplication of overlapping calendar events so each meeting appears once
- Homebrew Cask install simplifies setup for developers
- Transparent privacy model since no audio leaves the device
- Ideal for sensitive or confidential conversations that must remain local
- No account or login required to use core transcription features
- Focus on local‑first aligns with strict data‑residency and compliance needs
- Minimal infrastructure overhead compared to SaaS transcription tools
- Clean, focused interface without extraneous features
- Good fit for long technical meetings or dense discussions needing searchable notes
Muesli cons
- macOS‑only; no Windows, Linux, web, or mobile support
- Requires extensive macOS permissions (Accessibility, Input Monitoring, Screen Recording)
- Can break after macOS updates or app reinstalls if permissions are not re‑granted
- No built‑in export or sharing formats beyond raw text or manual copy‑paste
- Lacks collaboration features like shared transcripts or team workspaces
- No cloud sync or cross‑device continuity for transcript libraries
- No built‑in speaker diarization or automatic participant labeling
- No advanced text‑editing or summarization features atop the raw transcript
- UI guidance is minimal and mostly in FAQ‑style docs rather than in‑app onboarding
- Limited extensibility or integrations beyond calendar and basic shortcuts
Frequently asked questions about Muesli
Why does Muesli not open on my Mac?
Muesli may fail to open if macOS flags it as damaged or blocks it due to security settings. In that case, open System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down to the warning about the app, and click Open Anyway. If the problem persists, run the command sudo xattr -cr /Applications/Muesli.app in Terminal to clear any extended attributes that may be triggering the warning, then try launching it again from the Applications folder.
Why is my transcription not pasting into the input box?
The paste‑to‑input feature relies on macOS Accessibility permissions. If transcription does not appear in the target field, open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility and ensure Muesli is enabled. If it still fails, remove Muesli from the Accessibility list, add it back, and relaunch the app from /Applications to rebind the correct copy and permissions.
Why doesn’t the hotkey start dictation?
The global hotkey depends on macOS Input Monitoring permission. If the hotkey does not work, open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Input Monitoring and confirm that Muesli is allowed. After enabling it, relaunch the app from /Applications. Also verify in Settings that you are using the exact shortcut configured in the app, since the default key may differ from what you expect.
Why did Muesli stop working after an update or reinstall?
macOS permissions are bound to a specific app path and code signature. If you launch Muesli from Downloads, Desktop, or an old duplicate, the paste and hotkey functions can silently stop. Keep exactly one copy in /Applications, delete any duplicates, then re‑grant Accessibility and Input Monitoring permissions through System Settings and relaunch the app.
Why is meeting recording failing or missing system audio?
Meeting recording requires either Screen Recording or Screen & System Audio Recording permission. If meetings are not captured or system audio is missing, open System Settings → Privacy & Security, enable Muesli under the relevant recording pane, then relaunch the app. If microphone transcription works but meeting capture does not, the missing recording permission is typically the culprit.
Why isn’t Muesli showing upcoming meetings?
Upcoming meetings are read from local macOS Calendar and optionally Google Calendar. If the list is empty, first check that Calendar permission is granted to Muesli. If you rely on Google Calendar, reconnect the account in Settings and wait for the next refresh cycle. If you use both calendars, Muesli deduplicates matching events, so overlapping entries should still appear as a single meeting.
Is my audio sent to any remote server?
Muesli is designed as a local‑first tool that uses on‑device local inference, meaning speech processing happens on your Mac without sending audio or text to external servers. All transcription and meeting recording are handled locally, giving you control over where the data lives and making it suitable for sensitive or confidential conversations.
Can I use Muesli without a Google Calendar account?
Yes; Muesli can work solely with the local macOS Calendar. If you prefer not to connect Google Calendar, you can skip that integration and still rely on the system calendar to detect upcoming meetings and trigger automatic transcription when enabled.
How does Muesli handle duplicate calendar entries from multiple sources?
When both macOS Calendar and Google Calendar are connected, Muesli checks for overlapping events by matching titles and times and deduplicates them. You should see only one entry per meeting in the interface even if the same event appears in both calendars, avoiding redundant recording attempts.
What should I do if Muesli works in some apps but not others?
Some apps restrict accessibility or input monitoring, which can prevent Muesli from pasting transcription or capturing input. In those cases, try adjusting the target app’s own privacy or security settings if available, ensure Muesli’s permissions are granted in System Settings, and confirm you are launching the app from /Applications rather than a temporary folder or duplicate copy.