# Ouros X

Ouros X is one bar on your Mac. Tap Right Option and it opens over whatever you are doing. Find a file, open an app, run a command or jot a note, then get back to work.

**Ouros X File Finder listing results for weekly notes**

[Open the interactive Studio scene](/docs/studio-artifacts/docs-scenes/ouros-x.html)

## Six modes

Tap **Right Option** on its own to open Ouros. In the small bar, tap it again to switch modes. **Escape** takes you back to your work.

1. **File Finder:** type what you remember and the file appears as you type.
2. **Command Line:** type or dictate a command and it runs in the terminal. Your terminal sessions stay open on your Mac.
3. **Browser Search:** look something up without leaving your work. Paper Mode, powered by Zilch, shows pages as clean, readable text.
4. **Personal Assistant:** ask for help without switching apps.
5. **Song Selector:** play music and switch tracks right in the bar.
6. **Notes:** write it down before it is gone. Notes are Markdown, and you choose when to save.

Each mode does one job, and all of them follow one idea: "temporary window panes with full peace of mind that your work is safe."

## Treat Ouros ⌥ like a game controller

1. You get better with practice.
2. The keys are easy to remember.
3. Change them to suit you in Settings, under Keyboard.

## Get started

- [Your first minute](/docs/getting-started/first-minute) — Open the bar, change modes and launch an application.
- [Use your keyboard as a controller](/docs/getting-started/keyboard-as-controller) — Move through surfaces and modes.
- [Notes guide](/docs/getting-started/fast-notes) — Capture a Markdown thought and save it.
- [Command Line](/docs/terminals-and-files/first-command) — Run a command or dictate terminal input.
- [Find and continue notes](/docs/everyday-use/find-and-continue-a-note) — Search, expand and edit a file in place.

## Open, choose and return

Tap and release **Right Option** on its own to open the bar. In the compact bar, tap it again to switch modes. **Escape** returns to your work. [Keyboard as a controller](/docs/getting-started/keyboard-as-controller) explains focus, mode selection and the right-side modifier keys.

## Choose the mode for the task

### File Finder

Find a file or app, inspect the match and open the intended result. [Find and continue a note](/docs/everyday-use/find-and-continue-a-note) when you want to return to saved writing.

### Command Line

Enter or dictate a command in a terminal session and read its output. [Run a first command](/docs/terminals-and-files/first-command) before attempting file-changing work.

### Browser Search

Look up a page without leaving your work. Paper Mode turns the page into clean, readable text; [Zilch guidance](/docs/products/zilch) covers hosted extraction.

### Personal Assistant

Ask for help without leaving the bar. Use [privacy and permissions](/docs/shared/privacy) when a request includes private material or files.

### Song Selector

Find and control music through the available music integration.

### Notes

Write Markdown, save deliberately and reveal the saved file. Use [fast notes](/docs/getting-started/fast-notes) for the save workflow and [Markdown basics](/docs/markdown/basics) for formatting.

## Install and check your version

Use the [Ouros X download](https://ouros.md/download) for the current Apple Silicon Mac release. Check **About Ouros X** when comparing your controls with a guide.

If the bar does not open, start with [shortcut troubleshooting](/docs/ouros-x/troubleshooting). See [compatibility](/docs/ouros-x/compatibility) for keyboard differences and installed-version details.