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

# Companion Orb

> Always-accessible AI sidebar for continuous assistance

export const YouTubePlayer = ({videoId, title = "Video"}) => <Frame>
    <div id={`youtube-player-${videoId}`} style={{
  position: "relative",
  width: "100%",
  paddingBottom: "56.25%",
  borderRadius: "12px",
  overflow: "hidden",
  cursor: "pointer"
}} onClick={() => {
  const container = document.getElementById(`youtube-player-${videoId}`);
  container.innerHTML = `<iframe style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:none;border-radius:12px" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/${videoId}?autoplay=1" title="${title}" allow="accelerometer;autoplay;clipboard-write;encrypted-media;gyroscope;picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>`;
}}>
      <img src={`https://img.youtube.com/vi/${videoId}/maxresdefault.jpg`} alt={title} style={{
  position: "absolute",
  top: 0,
  left: 0,
  width: "100%",
  height: "100%",
  objectFit: "cover"
}} />
      <div style={{
  position: "absolute",
  top: "50%",
  left: "50%",
  transform: "translate(-50%, -50%)",
  width: "68px",
  height: "48px",
  backgroundColor: "rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.9)",
  borderRadius: "14px",
  display: "flex",
  alignItems: "center",
  justifyContent: "center"
}}>
        <svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="white">
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    </div>
  </Frame>;

## Overview

The Companion Orb is a persistent, floating AI interface that stays on the edge of your screen while you work. Unlike SmartBar -- which appears on demand and disappears after use -- the Companion Orb provides continuous access to AI assistance, quick actions, and voice chat without interrupting your workflow.

Think of it as your always-present AI co-pilot: a compact orb that expands into a full conversation panel when you need it, and collapses back when you don't.

<YouTubePlayer videoId="qCFZd00hM9g" title="Companion Orb Overview & Demo" />

## Getting Started

### Activating the Companion Orb

The Companion Orb is available from the moment you launch EnConvo. It appears as a small, draggable orb on the side of your screen.

* **Click** the orb to expand the conversation panel
* **Drag** the orb to reposition it on any edge of your screen
* **Double-click** to start a voice conversation
* **Right-click** to access quick actions and settings

### Positioning

The Companion Orb can be placed anywhere along the left or right edge of your screen:

| Position         | Best For                                     |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Top-right**    | Quick access while browsing or writing       |
| **Bottom-right** | Out of the way during focused work           |
| **Left side**    | Natural position for right-to-left workflows |

<Tip>
  The Companion Orb remembers its position between sessions. Place it where it feels most natural for your workflow and it will stay there.
</Tip>

## Interface

### Collapsed State (Orb)

When collapsed, the Companion Orb is a small circular icon that:

* Shows a subtle animation when the AI is processing
* Displays notification badges for pending responses
* Provides drag-to-reposition functionality
* Stays visible above other windows (configurable)

### Expanded State (Panel)

Click the orb to expand it into a full conversation panel:

* **Chat area**: Full conversation history with AI
* **Input field**: Type messages, attach files, add context
* **Quick Actions bar**: Pinned actions for one-tap access
* **Model selector**: Switch AI models mid-conversation
* **Tools toggle**: Enable/disable agent mode and tool access

## Quick Actions

The Companion Orb provides pinned quick actions for tasks you perform frequently. These are accessible with a single click or tap, without needing to type anything.

### Default Quick Actions

| Action                      | Description                                                         |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Summarize This Page/URL** | Summarize the content of your current browser tab or a specific URL |
| **Screenshot Translate**    | Take a screenshot and translate any text found in it                |
| **Screenshot Explain**      | Take a screenshot and get an AI explanation of what is shown        |
| **Screenshot OCR**          | Take a screenshot and extract all text from it                      |
| **Voice Chat**              | Start a hands-free voice conversation with the AI                   |

### Customizing Quick Actions

You can personalize which actions appear in the quick action bar:

1. Right-click the Companion Orb
2. Select **Customize Quick Actions**
3. Add, remove, or reorder actions
4. Save your configuration

Available actions to pin include any SmartBar command, custom bot, workflow, or frequently used prompt.

## Voice Chat

The Companion Orb includes a voice chat mode for hands-free AI interaction.

### Starting Voice Chat

* **Keyboard shortcut**: Press `⇧⌘A` to toggle voice chat
* **Double-click** the Companion Orb
* **Click** the Voice Chat quick action

### Voice Chat Features

| Feature                     | Description                                             |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Continuous conversation** | Speak naturally -- the AI responds verbally and in text |
| **Wake word detection**     | Optional always-listening mode (configurable)           |
| **Multiple voices**         | Choose from various TTS voice options                   |
| **Speed control**           | Adjust speech rate from 0.5x to 2x                      |
| **Language support**        | Speak and listen in 20+ languages                       |
| **Interruption**            | Interrupt the AI mid-response by speaking               |

### Voice Chat Use Cases

* Hands-free brainstorming while doing manual work
* Dictating emails or documents with AI refinement
* Quick questions while your hands are busy
* Language practice with real-time conversation
* Accessibility for users who prefer voice interaction

<Note>
  Voice processing can use either local on-device models or cloud-based services, depending on your configuration. Local processing offers better privacy while cloud services may offer higher accuracy.
</Note>

## Features

### Always-on-Top Mode

Keep the Companion Orb visible above all other windows:

* Enable in **Settings** -> **Companion Orb** -> **Always on Top**
* Useful during meetings or while referencing AI responses
* Toggle with right-click -> **Always on Top**

### Auto-Hide

Configure the orb to automatically collapse when not in use:

* **After timeout**: Collapse after a configurable period of inactivity
* **On click away**: Collapse when you click elsewhere
* **Manual only**: Stay expanded until you explicitly collapse it

### Context Awareness

The Companion Orb inherits EnConvo's full context awareness capabilities:

* Automatically detects your active application
* Reads browser tab content when relevant
* Recognizes selected text and files
* Adapts suggestions based on your current task

See [Context Awareness](/features/context-awareness) for details.

### Conversation History

The Companion Orb maintains full conversation history:

* Scroll through previous messages
* Start new conversations with `⌘ N`
* Switch between recent conversations
* Search across conversation history

### Multi-Model Support

Switch between AI models without leaving the Companion Orb:

1. Click the model name at the top of the expanded panel
2. Select a different model from the dropdown
3. Continue your conversation with the new model

This is useful when you want a quick answer from a fast model, then switch to a more capable model for complex follow-up questions.

## Configuration

### Settings -> Companion Orb

| Setting              | Description                         | Default        |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------- | -------------- |
| **Show on Launch**   | Display the orb when EnConvo starts | On             |
| **Always on Top**    | Keep above other windows            | Off            |
| **Auto-hide**        | Collapse behavior                   | On click away  |
| **Default Position** | Starting screen position            | Right side     |
| **Opacity**          | Orb transparency when idle          | 80%            |
| **Size**             | Orb size (small, medium, large)     | Medium         |
| **Quick Actions**    | Pinned action buttons               | Default set    |
| **Default Model**    | AI model for new conversations      | System default |

## Keyboard Shortcuts

| Shortcut  | Action             |
| --------- | ------------------ |
| `⇧⌘A`     | Toggle voice chat  |
| `⌘ N`     | New conversation   |
| `⌘ Enter` | Send message       |
| `Esc`     | Collapse the panel |

## Tips & Tricks

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Use it as a meeting companion" icon="users">
    Keep the Companion Orb expanded during meetings to quickly look up information, summarize discussion points, or draft responses -- all without switching windows.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Pin your most-used workflows" icon="thumbtack">
    If you frequently run specific workflows or commands, pin them as quick actions. One click is faster than typing the command every time.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Voice chat while commuting" icon="headphones">
    Use voice chat mode with headphones for hands-free AI interaction while walking, commuting, or doing household tasks.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Quick screen analysis" icon="display">
    The Screenshot Explain quick action is excellent for quickly understanding error messages, unfamiliar UI, charts, or any visual content on your screen.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keep it minimal" icon="minimize">
    If you find the orb distracting, reduce its opacity and enable auto-hide. It will be there when you need it but invisible when you don't.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Companion Orb vs SmartBar

Both provide AI access, but they serve different purposes:

| Aspect           | Companion Orb                                    | SmartBar                        |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------- |
| **Activation**   | Always visible on screen                         | Press `⇧⌘D` to summon           |
| **Persistence**  | Stays open, maintains conversation               | Appears, responds, disappears   |
| **Best for**     | Ongoing conversations, voice chat, quick actions | Quick one-off queries, commands |
| **Screen space** | Uses screen edge space                           | Overlay that disappears         |
| **Voice**        | Built-in voice chat                              | Text input focused              |

<Tip>
  Use both together: SmartBar for quick, one-shot tasks and the Companion Orb for extended conversations and continuous assistance.
</Tip>

## Related Features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="SmartBar" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/features/smartbar">
    Quick AI access overlay
  </Card>

  <Card title="Voice Dictation" icon="microphone-lines" href="/features/dictation">
    Voice-to-text input
  </Card>

  <Card title="Meeting Recording" icon="record-vinyl" href="/features/meeting-recording">
    Record and transcribe meetings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Context Awareness" icon="eye" href="/features/context-awareness">
    How EnConvo understands your screen
  </Card>
</CardGroup>