I created an offline alternative to Grammarly and transformed it into a Mac application without writing any code.

I created an offline alternative to Grammarly and transformed it into a Mac application without writing any code.

      I composed this entire article while seated on an airplane that was experiencing unusually strong turbulence. The software I used for spell-checking and grammatical corrections was developed at an airport. It operates entirely on my Mac, offline, correcting all my typos and removing double spaces while I type away and sip a sugary coffee.

      Additionally, I don't know how to code. I didn't write any code at all, yet the Mac software I'm currently using feels more refined and responsive than Grammarly ever was. For context, Grammarly is one of the most widely used apps for spelling and grammar checking globally. So, how did I achieve this? I consulted Claude. I expressed my needs, it inquired about my preferences, and in less than half an hour, I created a no-internet alternative to Grammarly while bypassing the usual “yet-another-subscription” trap.

      How it all started. / (Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends)

      The first version operates as its own website in a browser tab without needing an internet connection. The second version functions as a Chrome extension and works well when the device is offline. Lastly, I developed a full-fledged Mac app that acts as a menu bar utility. I had about six people test these tools on both Mac and Windows machines. They were quite impressed by the speed and accuracy of the application.

      Addressing my issues, or controlling my habits

      In recent weeks, I have fully immersed myself (and not just my toes, but my entire feet, arm, and neck) in app and software development. My initial experiment involved a Mac app that utilized the motion sensors in AirPods Pro to monitor my posture. Essentially, the app recognizes a healthy posture and alerts me whenever I slouch or lean forward. It functions entirely offline, with all processing done on my Mac.

      The Mac app I developed serves as a minimalist tool in the menu bar. Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      I accomplished all this without even viewing the underlying code.

      For my next project, I aimed to create something that would free me from the constant requirement of being online. Since my job as an editor entails writing all day, Grammarly serves as a crucial tool, despite some of its recent questionable practices. I have often lost sections of text in the Grammarly iPad app due to syncing issues. On days when I bring my reliable Mac, finding a stable internet connection becomes a persistent challenge.

      All I desire is a peaceful setting to write a few articles, with a dependable grammar-checking tool working its magic as I rapidly type on my laptop's keyboard. However, that's not the only problem. Staying connected to the internet (while it does function as a Chrome extension in Google Docs) also invites endless distractions. And it only takes one browser tab to lead me away from a work-related Google search into a distracting bender on X, YouTube, or other digital distractions.

      I am still in disbelief.

      Running my Grammarly alternative as a Chrome utility. Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      But why, you may wonder? First, because I now have the ability to create software tailored specifically to my needs. Secondly, I am weary of sacrificing my privacy. Naturally, avoiding yet another subscription service is a significant motivation. Ultimately, it’s the realization of gaining control over my daily workflow (at least a portion of it) that truly inspires me, and I have no intention of stopping anytime soon.

      What was the process like?

      I'll let the image below speak for itself. I launched the Claude mobile app on an Android tablet to develop software for my Mac. In my very first attempt, the Grammarly alternative I created with Claude functioned flawlessly. In fact, I built three versions. One operates fully offline, another requires an internet connection, and the third is a proper macOS app that functions as a menu bar utility.

      The latter merges note-taking and grammar correction into a single solution, complete with a one-click export feature to Apple Notes. This version required me to open Xcode and create a dedicated app icon, which Claude was more than willing to assist with. However, the broader reality is that the barriers to "building" products have become incredibly low and more versatile than ever. A year ago, if you had told me I would create such a powerful macOS tool on an Android tablet without writing any code, I would have laughed in disbelief.

      Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      When I initiated Claude, I simply articulated my needs. Claude proposed three paths for creating my offline grammar checker, and I chose the one that operated without an internet connection, had minimal issues, and was also quite speedy. Initially, I wanted to utilize Apple’s on-device foundational models (included with Apple Intelligence). It worked, but it was relatively slow. Claude recommended switching to the Harper engine by Automattic. At first, the tool I named InkWell required an internet connection.

      The whole package was under 10 megabytes in size. However, I sought something that

I created an offline alternative to Grammarly and transformed it into a Mac application without writing any code. I created an offline alternative to Grammarly and transformed it into a Mac application without writing any code. I created an offline alternative to Grammarly and transformed it into a Mac application without writing any code. I created an offline alternative to Grammarly and transformed it into a Mac application without writing any code. I created an offline alternative to Grammarly and transformed it into a Mac application without writing any code. I created an offline alternative to Grammarly and transformed it into a Mac application without writing any code.

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I created an offline alternative to Grammarly and transformed it into a Mac application without writing any code.

I utilized Claude to create a completely offline and locally processed alternative to Grammarly. The initial build took me under 30 seconds, and I didn’t need to view or write any code.