Getting started

1. 01

   Download and install

   Download Cinder from the download page. Open the .dmg file and drag Cinder to your Applications folder. Cinder requires macOS 14.2 or later on Apple Silicon (M1+).

2. 02

   Create your account

   Open Cinder and create an account with your email. Start with a 14-day Starter trial. No credit card required. After the trial, continue on Free unless you choose a paid plan. You can change plans any time from Settings → Billing.

3. 03

   Grant recording permissions

   Cinder needs two macOS permissions: System Audio Recording (macOS may label it Screen & System Audio Recording, used to hear the other side of the call) and Microphone (to hear you). macOS prompts you the first time you start a call.

4. 04

   Set up your profile

   Go to Settings → Coaching. Add your role context (e.g. "Account Executive, mid-market SaaS") and company context (value props, pricing, competitive positioning). This helps Cinder give relevant coaching.

5. 05

   Start your first call

   Open your calling app (Zoom, Teams, Meet, or another app that plays audio through your Mac). Click "Start call" on the Cinder dashboard. Cinder begins transcribing. During the Starter trial and on paid plans, enable Continuous Coaching for proactive coaching cards; On-Demand analysis is available on every plan. The overlay appears near the top of your screen.

6. 06

   Use coaching during the call

   Press ⌘⇧E for Explain — breaks down what's being discussed. Press ⌘⇧B for Situation — a strategic read on where things stand. On Starter and up, press ⌘⇧A to Ask any question mid-call. Press Escape to dismiss any card.

7. 07

   Review your post-call report

   When the call ends, click "End Call." Cinder generates meeting notes on every plan. Starter and up add summaries, action items, and scoring, while Coach Review is available on Pro. Find these from the call entry on your dashboard. On Pro, Cinder creates an evidence-backed script improvement proposal after 3 qualifying Script Assist calls on the same script version.

Taking calls on an iPhone? See the setup guide for transcribing iPhone calls on this Mac to route your cellular calls through your Mac first.