Guide
How to use Klayr
Every control, shortcut, and mode explained — so you walk into your next interview knowing exactly what to do.
Step by Step
Quick start in 5 steps
Download & Open
Download Klayr for your platform (Mac, Windows, Linux). On first launch you'll see the pre-session screen with the "Start AI Assist" button. The app sits in the top-right corner — always on top of other windows.
Sign In (Optional but Recommended)
Click your credits badge in the top bar → Settings → Account. Sign in to unlock cloud session history, sync across devices, and access your subscription minutes. Free tier includes 60 minutes to get started.
Pick Your Role
Use the role dropdown in the status bar (Software Engineer, Behavioral, Coding/DSA, System Design, Data Science, Product Manager). This tunes the AI's answer style — technical depth for SWE, STAR-method framing for behavioral, etc.
Start the Session
Click "Start AI Assist" or press ⌘⇧Space. Klayr activates microphone capture, begins screen monitoring, and connects to your AI provider. The status bar turns green.
Let Klayr Work
In Auto mode, Klayr listens continuously. When the interviewer asks a question, it appears in the "Detected question" zone and an AI answer streams in below it. You can also manually send a question via the bottom input bar.
Installation
Install on your platform
Klayr is not yet code-signed — your OS may show a one-time security warning. Follow the steps below to get past it.
macOS
- Download the .dmg file (arm64 for M1/M2/M3, x64 for Intel).
- Open the DMG and drag Klayr to your Applications folder.
- Double-click Klayr from Applications to launch.
Klayr is not yet notarized by Apple. If you see "damaged app" or "unverified developer", open Terminal and run:
xattr -cr "/Applications/Klayr.app"
Then launch Klayr again. Alternatively: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway.
Windows
- Download Klayr-Setup-x.x.x.exe (installer) or the Portable .exe.
- Run the installer and follow the setup wizard.
- Launch Klayr from the Start menu or desktop shortcut.
Because Klayr is not yet submitted to Microsoft's signing programme, SmartScreen may flag it. It's safe to proceed:
Click "More info" → "Run anyway"
The binary is clean — this warning disappears once the app accumulates enough installs.
Linux
- Download the .AppImage (universal) or .deb (Debian/Ubuntu).
- For AppImage: make it executable and run it.
- For .deb: install via dpkg.
Run these in the folder where you downloaded the file:
chmod +x Klayr-*.AppImage ./Klayr-*.AppImage # or for .deb: sudo dpkg -i klayr_*_amd64.deb
AppImage runs without installation. The .deb integrates with your system launcher.
Bottom Bar
Session controls
These six buttons live in the bottom bar during an active session.
Streams the interviewer's speech via microphone in real-time. When an utterance ends, Klayr automatically sends it to the AI. Best for remote video calls where the interviewer's audio comes through your speakers.
Toggle on/off mid-session. The label shows VAD (voice activity detection) status.
Hold this button while the interviewer is speaking. Release to send the captured audio to AI. Ideal for in-person interviews where you need manual control over what gets captured.
Works like a walkie-talkie — hold while they speak, release to process.
Takes a screenshot of your screen and sends it to the AI with a "What question is on screen?" prompt. The answer appears in the main window. Great for coding assessments shown on screen.
Use when the question is on screen (HackerRank, LeetCode, Google Meet chat, etc.).
Same as Scan but opens the answer in a new floating mini-window instead of the main Klayr window. You can drag it anywhere — even to a second monitor.
Spawn multiple panels for different questions. Each panel is independent.
Cycles window opacity: 100% → 80% → 60% → 40%. At lower opacity Klayr blends into your background, making it less obvious during screen-share interviews.
60% is the sweet spot for most setups — still readable, barely visible on share.
Records your screen and audio to a video file. Useful for reviewing your performance, sharing with a coach, or replaying the AI's suggestions after the interview.
Recording indicator turns red when active. File saves automatically on stop.
Top Bar
App controls
Always-visible controls in the title bar — available even before a session starts.
Content Protection — makes Klayr invisible to screen-sharing and screen-recording software. The interviewer's screen share cannot capture the Klayr window. Click to toggle on/off.
Shows your remaining session minutes (e.g. "20 hr 31 min"). Click it to open Settings and top up. Turns amber when low, red when empty.
Hides all controls and the input bar — shows only the answer text. Maximum focus mode during the interview. Press ⌘⇧K to toggle.
Opens floating answer panels in a side-by-side layout. Each panel answers independently. Drag panels to a second monitor. Press ⌘⇧P to toggle.
AI fires mock interview questions at you by role category. Helps you warm up before the real thing. All question types: technical, behavioral, system design.
Opens your session history — every question and answer from past sessions. Export to PDF or CSV for review. Synced to cloud when signed in.
Configure API keys (Gemini, OpenAI, Anthropic), switch AI model, set background context, adjust mic sensitivity, and manage your account.
Keyboard
Shortcuts
Fire every action without touching the mouse. All shortcuts work globally — even when Klayr is not in focus.
Mac shortcuts shown. Windows / Linux: replace ⌘ with Ctrl.
Power User
Tips for best results
Set your role before the session starts — it dramatically changes answer quality.
Use Push Talk for in-person interviews; Auto mode for video calls.
Lower opacity to 60% during screen-share to stay hidden in peripheral vision.
Open a Float panel on your secondary monitor so answers never overlap your coding screen.
Compact mode gives you just the answer — no chrome, no distraction.
Scan works on any content: PDFs, coding challenges, slide decks, whiteboard photos.
Use Practice mode 15 minutes before each interview to prime the AI and warm yourself up.
Add context in Settings → Background ("Amazon L5 SWE, distributed systems focus") for targeted answers.
Audio
Choosing the right audio mode
Auto Mode
Best for remote / video interviews
- Always listening via Deepgram real-time STT
- Utterance end detected automatically (≈1 sec silence)
- Answer fires without any button click
- Transcript streams live in the detected-question box
Push Talk Mode
Best for in-person interviews
- Hold Push button while interviewer speaks
- Release to send captured audio to AI
- You control exactly what gets captured
- No accidental triggers from background noise
If Auto mode sends the wrong text, it also drops it into the input bar — edit it and press Enter to correct before sending.
Ready to start?
Download Klayr free. No account required. 60 free minutes included.