> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ghostscreen.gitbook.io/ghost-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ghostscreen.gitbook.io/ghost-docs/how-it-works.md). # How it works ### User Workflow: Step-by-Step Here’s how you typically interact with Ghost for interview preparation: 1. **Launch Ghost:** Start the application. A discreet, minimal window will appear on your screen. 2. **Configure Settings:** The first time you run Ghost (or if you need to change settings), use `Ctrl + Shift + I` (Windows/Linux) or `Cmd + Shift + I` (macOS) to open the settings menu. Here you will: * Enter your personal API key (either OpenAI or Google Gemini). * Select your preferred AI models for different tasks (e.g., problem extraction, solution generation). 3. **Capture the Problem:** When you encounter a coding problem you want to analyze (e.g., on a web page or in an editor), position the Ghost window if needed and use `Ctrl + H` / `Cmd + H`. Ghost takes screenshots, designed to capture both problem text and code snippets effectively. 4. **Process with AI:** Once screenshots are captured, press `Ctrl + Enter` / `Cmd + Enter`. This action initiates the AI processing sequence using *your* API key. 5. **AI Analysis & Solution:** * Ghost sends the captured screenshot data directly to the selected AI provider (OpenAI or Google Gemini). * The AI first extracts and understands the coding problem from the visual data. * It then generates an optimized solution, often including detailed explanations and time/space complexity analysis. 6. **Review Solution:** The AI-generated solution appears within the Ghost window for you to study and learn from. 7. **Manage the Window:** While using Ghost, you can: * Move the window: `Ctrl + Arrow keys` / `Cmd + Arrow keys` * Toggle visibility: `Ctrl + B` / `Cmd + B` * Adjust opacity: `Ctrl + [` / `Cmd + [` (Decrease) and `Ctrl + ]` / `Cmd + ]` (Increase) * *(Resize and Zoom functionality may also be available)* 8. **Start New Problem:** Press `Ctrl + R` / `Cmd + R` to clear the current context and prepare Ghost for a new problem-solving session. ### Core Mechanisms: Under the Hood Understanding how Ghost operates can help you use it effectively: * **Stealth Interface:** * Ghost is designed with a "Stealth Mode" – an interface intended to be minimally intrusive and bypass *many* screen capture methods during practice sessions. * **Invisibility Details (Based on Testing):** * **Hidden From:** Zoom (versions older than 6.1.6), browser-based screen recording, Discord (all versions), standard macOS screenshots (`Cmd+Shift+3/4`). * **Visible To:** Zoom (versions 6.1.6 and newer), native macOS screen recording (`Cmd+Shift+5`). * The exact technical methods aim to prevent the window from being included in the video feed or recording of specific applications, but it's not universally undetectable. * **Smart Capture & AI Processing:** * The screenshot function captures visual information from your screen. * When you trigger processing, Ghost sends this visual data directly to the external AI's API endpoint (like GPT-4o Vision or Gemini). * **Crucially, this uses your personal API key.** The AI interprets the image, extracts the problem, and generates the solution. Ghost acts as the interface and orchestrator for these API calls. * **AI Model Integration:** * You can choose between supported AI models (currently OpenAI and Google Gemini families) within the settings. * This allows flexibility based on cost, performance, or preference for different tasks (extraction vs. solution generation). * **Debugging Assistance:** * Ghost leverages the AI to provide structured feedback and assistance for debugging your own code snippets, helping you identify and fix errors during practice. * **Privacy:** * Your API key is stored locally on your machine and is *only* used to make direct calls to the AI provider (OpenAI/Gemini) when you initiate processing. * Ghost does not send your key or problem data to any intermediary servers. * **Extensibility:** * The application is designed to be extensible. Developers can integrate support for other Large Language Models (LLMs) like Claude, Deepseek, etc., by modifying the API handling code found in `/src/main/processor`. ### Tech Stack Ghost is built using modern web technologies packaged as a desktop application: * **Framework:** Electron * **UI:** React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Radix UI Components * **AI Integration:** Direct API calls to OpenAI and Google Gemini. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://ghostscreen.gitbook.io/ghost-docs/how-it-works.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.