# Helpwing User Guide

> **Copy this user guide to any agent to know about the product and how to use it.** This document describes what Helpwing is and how to use it — not internal engineering, source code, or server architecture.
>
> **Official site:** https://helpwing.ai · **Support:** support@helpwing.ai · **Last updated:** October 2026

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## 1. What Helpwing is

Helpwing is an **interview preparation and live-assist product** for software and engineering interviews, with an **India-first** minute-based purchase model (INR, UPI, cards, no auto-renew).

Helpwing is the **desktop overlay app** (Mac today; Windows coming): a small window that stays on your desk while you work. It hears audio from your computer, accepts screenshots and typed questions, and streams structured answers in a conversation thread.

The app is **not** a browser tab inside Zoom or Google Meet. It is a separate always-on-top helper that uses **system-wide audio** (everything your computer plays).

The overlay is designed to stay **out of screen shares and out of the taskbar/Dock** where your operating system supports it (see §13 troubleshooting if a capture still shows the window).

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## 2. Platforms and requirements

| Platform | Status |
|----------|--------|
| **macOS 14.2+** (Apple Silicon and Intel) | Desktop app available — https://helpwing.ai/download.html |
| **Windows 10/11** | Desktop build in progress; join waitlist on the download page |

**Permissions:**

- **Screen Recording / system audio (Mac):** Required to capture **loopback audio** (what you hear) without a virtual cable. Same class of permission as screenshots on Mac.
- **Microphone:** Only if you turn on the **You** row in the transcript bar.
- **Screen capture:** For full-screen and region screenshots.

Grant permissions in System Settings (Mac) or Settings → Privacy (Windows), then **restart Helpwing** if capture still fails.

---

## 3. Account, sign-in, and free minutes

### Sign-in

On first launch you see the **welcome card**:

1. Enter **name**, **mobile (+91)**, and **email**.
2. Optionally **Tune Interview** (company, resume, job description, notes).
3. Optionally enter a **friend’s referral code** (before first paid recharge).
4. Sign in with **Google** or a **6-digit email code** (OTP sent to your email).

After sign-in, the overlay opens when setup is complete.

### Free minutes

- **15 welcome minutes** on the desktop account (no card required).
- Welcome minutes expire after **30 days** if unused.

---

## 4. Desktop UI overview

When signed in, the **main overlay** has four areas:

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Command bar: screenshot, snip, audio, tune, language,   │
│              minutes, recharge, settings                 │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Transcript bar (when audio is on): Interviewer / You    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Conversation thread: your turns + streamed answers      │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Ask anything… (typed follow-ups)                        │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

### Command bar (left to right)

| Control | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| **Screenshot** | Queues a **full-screen** capture. A badge shows queue count. |
| **Snip** (Mac only) | Drag a **rectangle** to capture part of the screen. On Windows, use full screenshot. |
| **Solve** | Sends **queued screenshots** to the model (same as Ctrl/⌘+Enter). |
| **System audio** | Listens to **everything playing on the computer** (see §5). On by default after sign-in. |
| **Microphone** | Listens to **your** voice. Off by default. |
| **Tune Interview** | Opens resume / company / JD / notes (§7). |
| **Solution language** | Code answer language (Python, Java, TypeScript, Go, Rust, SQL, etc.). |
| **Minutes left** | Remaining balance; time debits during **active** assist sessions, not while idle. |
| **Recharge** | Buy minute packs or custom top-ups (§9). |
| **Settings** | Account, opacity, shortcuts, referral code, sign out (§8). |

### Conversation thread

- Every **turn** (screenshot, snip, typed text, submitted transcript, etc.) appends to **one thread**.
- Answers typically start with a **“Say this”** line, then bullets, **code**, or a **diagram** on design rounds.
- The thread **persists across app restarts** until you start a **New chat**.

### New chat

**New chat** (⌘/Ctrl+R) clears the thread, pending transcripts, and screenshot queues, and cancels in-flight answers. It does **not** sign you out or remove Tune Interview context. System audio usually **stays on**.

### Show / hide overlay

**Show/hide** (⌘/Ctrl+B) toggles visibility. When hidden, the window opacity goes to zero but global shortcuts still work. The app tries to omit the overlay from **screen sharing** and keep it off the **taskbar/Dock** (platform-dependent).

---

## 5. System-wide audio (not just Meet or Zoom)

The **Interviewer** row uses **system / loopback audio**:

- Whatever your Mac or PC **plays** is transcribed: **Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams**, other call apps, **YouTube**, browser tabs, local media, etc.
- There is **no plugin** per meeting app and **no virtual audio cable** (no BlackHole-style setup on Mac).
- You **review** text in the transcript bar before sending it for an answer.

**Typical flow:**

1. Join your call or play practice audio as usual (you still hear it normally).
2. Watch the **Interviewer** row fill with transcribed speech.
3. **Submit** when the line looks right (`Alt+A` on Windows, `⌥A` on Mac).
4. Read the streamed answer in the thread; speak or adapt the “Say this” line.

**If transcription is wrong:** press **×** or **`Alt+D`** to **clear** the interviewer line without sending.

**Microphone (You row):** When enabled, your spoken line can be submitted with **`Alt+E`** — useful when you want your own words in the thread (e.g. “correct my answer”).

---

## 6. Other ways to ask

### Screenshots

1. **`Ctrl+H` / `⌘H`** — full screen to queue.
2. **`Ctrl+Shift+H` / `⌘⇧H`** (Mac) — region snip.
3. **`Ctrl+Enter` / `⌘Enter`** — **Solve** queued shots.

Screenshots used in one turn are then cleared from the queue.

### Typed questions

- Type in **Ask anything…** at the bottom.
- **`Ctrl+K` / `⌘K`** sends text (and any queued screenshots together).
- **Enter** in the box also sends; **Shift+Enter** adds a new line.

### Tune Interview

Answers can be grounded in **your** resume, **company**, and **job description** so the model stays aligned with your background. Open **Tune Interview** from the command bar anytime (§7).

---

## 7. Tune Interview

Fields:

| Field | Notes |
|-------|--------|
| **Resume** | Upload PDF, DOCX, TXT, or MD — or paste text. |
| **Company** | Where you are interviewing. |
| **Job description** | Role, stack, team context. |
| **Anything else** | Optional emphasis (system design depth, leadership, etc.). |

**Save context** stores tuning to your Helpwing account and closes the dialog. **Remove job details** clears company/JD/notes for a neutral session.

---

## 8. Settings

Open via the **gear** on the command bar.

| Area | What you can do |
|------|------------------|
| **Account** | See signed-in email. |
| **Minutes balance** | Remaining time; **Sync** refreshes from the server (does not add minutes). |
| **Referral code** | Copy your **`HW-…`** code and invite message. |
| **Recharge** | Same flow as the command bar. |
| **Solution language** | Default code language for answers. |
| **Overlay opacity** | 40%–100% glass strength. |
| **Keyboard shortcuts** | Remap any **global** hotkey; **Reset** restores defaults. Bindings are stored **on this computer**. |
| **Sign out** | Returns to the welcome screen. |

Helpwing **Cloud** accounts use Helpwing’s managed AI — you do not paste personal LLM API keys in Settings for normal use.

---

## 9. Pricing and minutes (summary)

All prices **GST included**, **one-time**, **no auto-renew**. Pay-as-you-use: buy **packs** or **custom minutes** in the app (from **₹5/min**, 15-minute minimum per custom order).

| Pack | Price (INR) | Minutes | Validity |
|------|-------------|---------|----------|
| Free welcome | ₹0 | 15 | Welcome: 30 days |
| Starter | ₹299 | 60 | 365 days |
| Value | ₹1,199 | 300 | 365 days |
| Power | ₹2,999 | 1,000 | 365 days |
| Pro (30-day pass) | ₹2,399 | 1,000 fair use | 30 days |
| Custom top-up | ₹5 × minutes | 15–1,000 per order | 365 days |

Checkout via **Razorpay** (UPI, cards, netbanking) inside the app. Details: https://helpwing.ai/pricing.html

**Billing behavior:**

- Minutes debit during an **active desktop assist session**, not while the app sits idle.
- Usage is rounded **up to the nearest minute**.
- Screenshots and submits during a session do not each charge separately — the session timer drives billing.

---

## 10. Referral program

1. **Friend signs up** with **your** code on the welcome form (before their first recharge).
2. When their **first paid order** includes **≥ 30 minutes**, you receive **15 free minutes once** for that friend.
3. Smaller first top-ups do **not** trigger a reward. Later recharges do **not** repeat the bonus.
4. You cannot use your own code. One referrer per account.

Your code and copy-ready invite text are in **Settings**.

---

## 11. Default keyboard shortcuts

Global shortcuts work **even when the overlay is hidden** (unless remapped in Settings).

`⌘` = Command on Mac. **`Ctrl`** = Control on Windows. **`Alt`** = Alt on Windows, **Option (⌥)** on Mac.

### Ask and capture

| Action | macOS | Windows |
|--------|-------|---------|
| Screenshot (queue) | ⌘H | Ctrl+H |
| Snip region | ⌘⇧H | *(Mac only — use Ctrl+H on Windows)* |
| Solve queued screenshots | ⌘Enter | Ctrl+Enter |
| Send typed question (+ queued shots) | ⌘K | Ctrl+K |
| New chat | ⌘R | Ctrl+R |

### Audio and transcripts

| Action | macOS | Windows |
|--------|-------|---------|
| System audio on/off | ⌥Q | Alt+Q |
| Submit interviewer transcript | ⌥A | Alt+A |
| Clear interviewer transcript | ⌥D | Alt+D |
| Microphone on/off | ⌥W | Alt+W |
| Submit your transcript | ⌥E | Alt+E |

### Overlay

| Action | macOS | Windows |
|--------|-------|---------|
| Show/hide overlay | ⌘B | Ctrl+B |
| Move overlay | ⌘← ↑ → ↓ | Ctrl+Arrow keys |
| Opacity down / up | ⌘[ / ⌘] | Ctrl+[ / Ctrl+] |
| Zoom out / reset / in | ⌘- / ⌘0 / ⌘= | Ctrl+- / Ctrl+0 / Ctrl+= |
| Quit | ⌘Q | Ctrl+Q |

### Live voice (optional desktop mode)

| Action | macOS | Windows |
|--------|-------|---------|
| Pause/resume live voice | ⌥S | Alt+S |
| Capture live-voice context screenshot | ⌘J | Ctrl+J |
| Submit live-voice context screenshots | ⌘L | Ctrl+L |

Live voice is separate from the transcript bar; it may not be enabled for all accounts. Turn **microphone off** before toggling live voice if the app warns you.

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## 12. Recommended workflows

### Live technical interview

1. **Tune Interview** with resume and JD.
2. Confirm **system audio** is on (amber indicator).
3. Join the call in your usual app (Meet, Zoom, Teams, etc.).
4. When a question is complete, **Submit** the interviewer line (`Alt+A`).
5. Use the **Say this** line and bullets; add **screenshots** if a problem is shared on screen (`Ctrl+H` then Solve).
6. **New chat** between unrelated questions if you want a clean thread.

### Practice from YouTube or a recording

1. Play the video on your computer (headphones recommended).
2. Let the **Interviewer** row transcribe the question.
3. Submit and practice answering out loud.
4. Clear bad lines with **Alt+D** instead of submitting.

### Coding round with shared screen

1. Queue screenshots when the problem statement appears.
2. **Solve** or combine with a typed constraint in **Ask anything…**
3. Pick the correct **solution language** before solving.

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## 13. Troubleshooting

| Problem | Things to try |
|---------|----------------|
| **No interviewer text** | Check system audio is on; verify **Screen Recording** (Mac) or privacy permissions (Windows); ensure the tab or app is actually playing sound; wait ~20s — a “not hearing audio” hint may appear. |
| **Wrong transcript** | Do not submit; use **×** or **Alt+D** to clear. |
| **Mic not working** | Turn on mic icon; grant **Microphone** permission; check OS mute. |
| **Out of minutes** | **Recharge** in app; **Sync** balance after payment. |
| **Overlay too faint** | Settings → opacity, or **Ctrl/⌘]** to brighten. |
| **Shortcut does nothing** | Another app may own the combo; remap in **Settings → Keyboard shortcuts**. |
| **Balance looks wrong** | Use **Sync**; sign out and in if needed. |
| **Overlay visible in a screen share** | Quit and reopen the app; on Windows use a current build (10 2004+). On Mac, some ScreenCaptureKit paths may still capture the window — hide with **⌘/Ctrl+B** if needed. |
| **App in Dock or Alt+Tab** | On Mac, use the packaged app (agent/LSUIElement). On Windows, the process may still appear in Task Manager even when the taskbar icon is hidden. |

Support: **support@helpwing.ai**

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## 14. Quick links

| Topic | URL |
|-------|-----|
| Home | https://helpwing.ai/ |
| Understand the app (screenshots) | https://helpwing.ai/understand-app.html |
| Download | https://helpwing.ai/download.html |
| Pricing | https://helpwing.ai/pricing.html |
| User guide (this page) | https://helpwing.ai/user-guide.html |
| This guide (Markdown) | https://helpwing.ai/user-guide.md |

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## 15. Glossary

| Term | Meaning |
|------|---------|
| **Interviewer row** | Transcript of system audio (what your computer plays). |
| **You row** | Transcript of your microphone. |
| **Submit** | Send the pending transcript line into the conversation for an answer. |
| **Solve** | Process queued screenshots. |
| **Tune Interview** | Resume + company + JD context for grounded answers. |
| **New chat** | Clear thread and queues; keep account and tuning. |
| **Minute pack** | Prepaid bundle of assist time; no subscription. |
| **Custom top-up** | Pick any minute count (within app limits) and pay per minute. |

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*End of Helpwing User Guide.*