> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getdax.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How Dax works

> The shared model behind every tool — summoning, activation, offline behavior, and privacy.

A few things are true of every tool in Dax, so they're explained once here
instead of fourteen times across the tool pages.

## Summoning tools

* **Every tool has a global shortcut.** By default they're all <kbd>⌃</kbd>
  <kbd>⌥</kbd> plus one key. Rebind or clear any shortcut in **Settings →
  Shortcuts** (<kbd>⌃</kbd> <kbd>⌥</kbd> <kbd>H</kbd>) — see the [Quick
  reference](/shortcuts) for the full list.
* **The launcher grid** — press <kbd>⌃</kbd> <kbd>⌥</kbd> <kbd>Space</kbd> to
  open a grid of every tool. Click one, or press <kbd>1</kbd>–<kbd>9</kbd> for
  the first nine. Handy before you've memorized a shortcut.
* **The menu-bar icon** lists the tools too, and opens Settings.

### Global shortcuts (not tools)

| Shortcut                                   | Opens                                       |
| ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------- |
| <kbd>⌃</kbd> <kbd>⌥</kbd> <kbd>Space</kbd> | The tool launcher grid                      |
| <kbd>⌃</kbd> <kbd>⌥</kbd> <kbd>,</kbd>     | Settings                                    |
| <kbd>⌃</kbd> <kbd>⌥</kbd> <kbd>T</kbd>     | Settings → Tools tab (per-tool config)      |
| <kbd>⌃</kbd> <kbd>⌥</kbd> <kbd>H</kbd>     | Settings → Shortcuts tab (rebind shortcuts) |

## Activation

Dax is **invite-only**. Until you activate with an invite code, no tool will
open — pressing any shortcut sends you to the invite screen instead. Don't
have a code? The invite screen has a **Request access** button that adds you
to the waitlist. Once activated, your personal access token is stored in your
Mac's Keychain and the tools unlock.

If your account is suspended, Dax enters a locked-down state and every tool
politely points you at support rather than opening.

## Online vs. offline tools

Some tools are purely local; others need the internet. **Offline, the network
tools dim in the launcher** and show a "needs the internet" toast instead of
opening a panel that could only fail. They re-enable the moment the
connection returns.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Work offline" icon="wifi-slash">
    [Frequent CLIs](/tools/frequent-clis), [Boilerplates](/tools/boilerplates),
    [Inject MD](/tools/inject-md), [Open Project](/tools/open-project),
    [Vibe History](/tools/vibe-history)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Need the internet" icon="wifi">
    [Ask AI](/tools/ask-ai), [AI Text Transform](/tools/text-transform),
    [Image to Prompt](/tools/image-to-prompt), [Image Ask](/tools/image-ask),
    [Generate Image](/tools/generate-image), [Image to URL](/tools/image-to-url),
    [File Drop](/tools/file-drop), [Feedback](/tools/feedback),
    [Suggest a Tool](/tools/suggest-a-tool)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Privacy

Local tools never touch the network. Network tools send **only** what the
tool needs, and **only** when you press the shortcut or click a button —
never because you copied something. Details are in each tool's page and in
the privacy policy.