# Welcome to Cephable

> Start with voice on Basic, explore Create as you upgrade, and put Automate, voice, and dictation to work on Pro.

Source: https://help.cephable.com/docs/get-started/welcome

---

Cephable helps you control your computer by voice, create text where you work, and automate
multi-step jobs. Use it alongside your mouse and keyboard to handle everyday tasks.

## Start with your plan

**On Basic, start with [voice commands](/docs/using-cephable/voice-commands).** Set up
commands for the actions you repeat. Basic also includes dictation. When you want to do
more, explore [Create](/docs/using-cephable/create): Plus adds AI-powered generation,
rewriting, and translation. Pro adds [Automate](/docs/using-cephable/automate) for multi-step work.

**On Pro, start with [Automate](/docs/using-cephable/automate).** Describe a job across your
apps and files, then use [voice commands](/docs/using-cephable/voice-commands) for everyday
actions and [dictation](/docs/using-cephable/create#dictation) to write text by speaking.

## Control, Create, Automate

Cephable is organized around three things, and you will see the same three words on the
Workspace, on the Panel's tabs, and on cephable.com.

:::cards columns="3"
:::card title="Control" href="/docs/using-cephable/voice-commands" icon="accessibility"
Run the commands in your App Controls — by voice, keyboard shortcut, or quick action
button — in whatever app you are using.
:::

:::card title="Create" href="/docs/using-cephable/create" icon="palette" license="plus"
Draft, rewrite, reformat, and translate, right inside the app you are working in.
:::

:::card title="Automate" href="/docs/using-cephable/automate" icon="sparkle" license="pro"
Describe a job in plain language and Cephable carries it out across your apps, your files,
even your command line.
:::
:::

**Extend** is the fourth piece: skills, connectors, and companion apps you add through
Extensions.

## Where you work: the Workspace and the Panel

Cephable has two windows, and you will use both from day one.

**The Workspace** is the main window and your home base. It shows suggested prompts, your
recent AI history, and scheduled tasks, and it is where you manage your App Controls,
Extensions, and settings.

**The Panel** is the compact window that stays on screen beside whatever app you are using.
It is where you work in the moment: type or speak a request, tap a control, start an
automation, and watch it run. Clicking any card on the Workspace opens it, and so does saying
"show panel".

![The Cephable Panel showing the Control, Create, and Automate tabs above the composer](https://help.cephable.com/screenshots/desktop-panel-tabs.png)

_The Panel_

Two more terms you will see throughout these docs:

| Term | What it is |
| --- | --- |
| **App Controls** | A set of commands Cephable listens for, usually one set per application |
| **Extensions** | Optional features, skills, and connectors you turn on when you need them |

[The Workspace and the Panel](/docs/using-cephable/panel) covers both windows in detail.

![The Cephable Workspace showing Control, Create, and Automate cards](https://help.cephable.com/screenshots/desktop-workspace-home.png)

_The Workspace_

## It runs on your device

Cephable's speech recognition and AI assistant run **on your computer**.
Your microphone audio stays on the device, and
voice controls keep working with no network connection.

:::callout type="tip" title="Why this matters at work"
Because nothing is streamed to an external service, Cephable can often be approved where
cloud-based voice assistants cannot. If you are making that case to your IT or security
team, [Privacy and security](/docs/get-started/privacy-and-security) is written for them.
:::

## See it working

[Video: Voice commands for Figma](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMop3CufYsM)

## Where to go next

:::steps
:::step title="Install the app"
Install Cephable and grant microphone access for voice commands.
[Install the desktop app](/docs/get-started/install-desktop).
:::

:::step title="Set up your first App Controls"
Start with one application you use constantly and three actions you repeat.
[Your first App Controls](/docs/get-started/first-profile).
:::

:::step title="Choose your next task"
Explore [Create](/docs/using-cephable/create) for dictation and AI text tools,
or start with [Automate](/docs/using-cephable/automate) if you have Pro.
:::
:::

## Which plan you are on

Some capabilities need a paid plan. Sections that do are marked with a plan badge
throughout these docs, and signing in unlocks the ones your license includes.
[Plans and licenses](/docs/get-started/plans-and-licenses) has the detail.