Clippy, Microsoft's classic animated assistant, has been resurrected as an offline AI tool.
Developed by the Electron team, this updated version of Clippy is compatible with Windows, macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), and Linux (RPM and Debian packages).
It operates entirely offline, processing data locally to ensure user privacy.
Users can download the tool from GitHub, featuring a retro design reminiscent of Windows 95.
The application requires users to select an AI model for local processing; Gemma 3 (1B) by Google is recommended as a starting point.
The choice of model impacts performance, with lower-quality models potentially providing inaccurate responses.
The AI-powered Clippy can explain concepts, generate ideas, tell jokes, provide recipes, and assist with daily tasks.
A key feature is the ability to keep Clippy visible on the screen, allowing users to move it around the desktop and access the dialogue box with a click.
This version offers a functional tribute to Microsoft's iconic assistant, working seamlessly across different operating systems without an internet connection.