Setup overview
Complete these steps, return to the workbench, and create a partner to start assigning tasks. Workspace and embedding model setup are only needed for a local knowledge base.
Ncurator user guide
Learn how to install Ncurator, configure AI models, and add local sources to your knowledge base.
Quick start
AI model setup
Get an API key from your provider, select that provider, and save your configuration.
Get an API key
Try a free model first, or create your own API key with a supported provider.
Free models
You can select a free model directly in the desktop app without setting up an API key. Free services do not guarantee reliability or privacy. Do not send sensitive data.
For regular use, create your own API key. The guides below cover the providers available in Ncurator Desktop.
How to get an API keyOpen Ncurator's model settings
In Settings, open Models and click Add configuration.
Choose a provider and enter your API key
For a standard API key, choose Recommended, select its provider, paste the key, and save.
TypeRecommended
Provider
Choose the provider you bought your key from
API Key
Paste your API key
Recommended mode includes the service URL, so you do not need to enter it yourself.
Embedding model setup (optional)
Download a local embedding model to index and search your knowledge base. If the download fails, try without a VPN.
Download an embedding model
Click Download and wait until the model is installed. Knowledge base search can reduce the tokens needed to consult local material.
Workspace setup
Add local folders or global web sources for Ncurator to search. Skip this step if you do not need a knowledge base.
Add a folder
In Settings, open Workspace → Files, click Add folder, and choose a local folder. Each folder appears as a top-level location; a named workspace is no longer required.
Browse the folder tree
After adding a folder, its file structure appears on the right. Remove a location using the control beside its top-level entry.
Add web sources (optional)
Open the Web tab and click Add web pages. Paste one URL per line. Web sources are shared globally rather than attached to a folder.
Update the index (optional)
When folders or web pages change, click Check for updates, then Update index. Indexing requires an installed embedding model.
Get an API key from your provider
Choose your provider and follow the steps to create an API key.
DeepSeek
Top up your account if needed, then create an API key.
Top up your account (skip if your balance is sufficient)
Choose an amount and payment method, then proceed to payment.
Create and copy an API key
Enter a key name and create it. The full key is shown only once, so copy it immediately.
Qwen
Activate Alibaba Cloud Model Studio, top up if needed, and create an API key.
Activate Model Studio
Open Model Studio in the China (Beijing) region. Accept the service agreement if prompted. If no agreement appears, the service is already active.
Top up your account (skip if the free quota is sufficient)
Complete Alibaba Cloud identity verification first. In Expenses and Costs, open the account top-up page, choose an amount and payment method, and confirm.
Create and copy an API key
Keep Default workspace, choose All permissions, and confirm. The full key is shown only once, so copy it immediately.
Xiaomi MiMo
Complete verification and top up if needed, then create an API key.
Top up your account (skip if your balance is sufficient)
Complete identity verification as prompted. Choose an amount and payment method, accept the service agreement, and click Top up now.
Create and copy an API key
Enter a key name, confirm creation, and copy the new key immediately.
Zhipu GLM
Top up your account if needed, then create an API key.
Top up your account (skip if your balance is sufficient)
In Finance → Top up account, choose an amount and payment method, then confirm payment.
Create and copy an API key
Enter a key name and confirm, then copy the key immediately.
Kimi
Complete organization verification and top up if needed, then create an API key for the default project.
Top up your account (skip if your balance is sufficient)
Complete organization verification first. Choose an amount and payment method, accept the top-up agreement, and confirm payment.
Create and copy an API key
Enter a key name, choose the default project, and confirm creation. The full key is shown only once, so copy it immediately.
WPS integration
What it does
- WPS refreshes the document after Ncurator edits or reverts it.
- Click a change in Review to jump to its location in WPS.
How to enable it
- Click Allow when WPS first asks you to authorize the Ncurator add-in.
- If the add-in is disabled, find Ncurator under Tools → WPS Add-ins and enable it.
To jump to edits in WPS, also set WPS as the default app in the top-right corner of Ncurator's file view.
Frequently asked questions
Install on a Mac
If the app will not open after installation, follow these steps.
Only follow these steps to remove macOS security restrictions if you downloaded the installer from the official Ncurator website.
Install and try opening the app once
Open the downloaded DMG, drag the app named “馆长” into Applications, and try to open it. Complete this first attempt even if macOS shows a security warning.
Try “Open Anyway” first
- Open System Settings, then Privacy & Security.
- Scroll to the blocked app named “馆长” and click Open Anyway.
- When the security prompt appears again, click Open.
If Open Anyway is missing, try opening the app from Applications again, then return to Privacy & Security.
Apple's instructionsIf macOS still says the app is damaged
Download the installer again from the official website to rule out an incomplete download. Move the app into Applications, open Terminal, then use either method below.
Method 1: Copy the complete command
sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/馆长.app"Paste the complete command into Terminal and press Return.
Method 2: Drag the app into Terminal
Copy the following command into Terminal, add a space, and do not press Return yet:
sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine- Open Applications in Finder.
- Drag the app named “馆长” into Terminal to insert its actual path after the command.
- Make sure the command and app path are on the same line, then press Return.
When Terminal asks for a password, enter your Mac login password and press Return. No characters appear while you type. When the command finishes, open the app again.
If Terminal cannot find the file, check that the app is named “馆长” and is in Applications. You can also drag it into Terminal to insert the correct path.
If the app still will not open
Send us the full error screenshot, your macOS version, your Ncurator version, and the Terminal output so we can investigate.
These steps follow the original guide's approach to macOS security and quarantine attributes, with the order updated for recent macOS versions.Read the original guide
Usage tips
1. Choose a suitable model
More capable models generally cost more per token, but can also complete more demanding tasks with better results.
Most of the author's testing uses DeepSeek V4.1 Flash, which is affordable and handles many everyday tasks. For harder tasks, choose a stronger model. If you are unsure, start with DeepSeek V4.1 Flash or ask Ncurator for help.
Tips:
- When possible, use a model from its official provider. For example, choose DeepSeek's own service for a DeepSeek model to get the intended model capabilities.
- To work with images or screenshots, check the information panel beside the model name for vision support. A separate vision model configuration is not required.
2. Talk to Ncurator as a work partner
Ncurator is designed to work in a human-like way. The internal name for this approach is Human, and future updates will continue in this direction.
It can make mistakes, just as people do. Give it enough context and clear instructions to help it produce the result you expect.
Ncurator's abilities largely depend on its available skills. Tasks outside those skills may be harder to complete, although it may sometimes find another way.
Create and select a partner in the workbench before sending a task. To narrow the sources for a task, use @ to reference a file, folder or web page. Without explicit references, it uses indexed folders and global web sources from Settings.