What's New in Writers Studio v1.6: Self-Hosted AI

Writers Studio v1.6 adds another way to use AI with your manuscript: connect directly to a server you manage.

You can still use hosted AI when convenience matters, and Ollama remains a fully local option. The new self-hosted provider is for writers who already run their own compatible AI infrastructure and want Writers Studio to use it without a cloud proxy in between.

Your Server, Your Connection

The new provider uses the standard OpenAI-compatible model, chat, and streaming interfaces. Configure a base URL and, if your server needs one, an API key. Writers Studio discovers the available models from the server instead of asking you to type a model name manually.

The connection is outbound only. Writers Studio does not run a server, open your Mac or device to other applications, download models, or relay your request through our infrastructure.

Available in Both Editions

Self-hosted AI is available in the Direct edition and the free Mac App Store edition.

Cloud AI subscriptions in the App Store edition still provide the managed path: no cloud-provider key setup and hosted-AI allowances handled through App Store billing. Self-hosted requests are separate. They go directly to the server you select and do not consume Writers Studio cloud-AI allowances or subscriptions.

The Direct edition remains the choice for a one-time v1.x license and user-supplied cloud-provider keys.

Keep Your Writing on a Trusted Network

For a server on the same Mac, use localhost. For a server elsewhere in your home or studio, use its private-network address. Writers Studio permits plain HTTP only for localhost and private-network addresses; a public server must use HTTPS.

On iPhone and iPad, self-hosted AI is an opt-in advanced setting. Your device must be able to reach the server on a trusted private network, and iOS or iPadOS will request local-network permission.

Read the self-hosted AI setup guide for the full connection steps and troubleshooting.