In this tutorial
How to Use SubcueAI: Complete Tutorial
Last updated: April 7, 2026
SubcueAI is a desktop application for macOS and Windows that provides real-time AI-powered answer suggestions during job interviews. This tutorial walks you through downloading, installing, and using SubcueAI — from your first launch to acing your next interview with AI-generated answers displayed in a floating overlay.
Download & Install
Download SubcueAI from the official website and install it on your Mac or Windows PC. The entire process takes less than a minute.
- 1
Visit the website
Go to subcue.ai and click the "Download for Mac" or "Download for Windows" button.
- 2
Install on macOS
Open the downloaded DMG file and drag the SubcueAI icon into your Applications folder. SubcueAI requires macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later and supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
- 3
Install on Windows
Run the downloaded installer and follow the setup wizard. SubcueAI requires Windows 10 (version 19041) or later, 64-bit only.
Note
SubcueAI runs as a menu bar app on macOS (top-right corner) and a system tray app on Windows (bottom-right corner). You won't see a traditional app window — look for the SubcueAI icon in your menu bar or system tray.
Ace Every Interview with
Real-Time AI Assistance
SubcueAI captures your interview audio in real-time and generates intelligent, context-aware answers.
macOS 14.0+ and Windows 10+ supported
First Launch & Permissions
When you first open SubcueAI, it needs two permissions to capture interview audio: Screen Recording (to hear the interviewer through system audio) and Microphone access (to hear you).
macOS
On macOS, SubcueAI will prompt you to grant Screen Recording permission (System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording) and Microphone permission. Screen Recording is required because macOS uses this permission for system audio capture — SubcueAI does not actually record your screen.
Windows
On Windows, SubcueAI uses WASAPI (Windows Audio Session API) to capture system audio. You may see a notification asking for microphone access. Grant it so SubcueAI can capture your voice alongside the interviewer's audio.
Important
On macOS, you may need to restart SubcueAI after granting Screen Recording permission for it to take effect. If audio capture doesn't work, check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording and make sure SubcueAI is enabled.
Welcome to SubcueAI
Grant permissions to get started
By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service
Create Your Account
Sign up for a SubcueAI account to sync your settings and manage your subscription. You can use Google, Apple, or email to create an account.
- 1
Open the login page
Click the SubcueAI menu bar icon (macOS) or system tray icon (Windows) and select "Login". This opens your browser to the SubcueAI login page.
- 2
Choose your sign-in method
Sign in with Google, Apple, or create an account with your email address. If you choose email, you'll receive a 6-digit verification code to confirm your address.
- 3
Return to the app
After successful authentication, your browser redirects back to the SubcueAI app automatically. The app receives your credentials securely — no need to copy-paste any tokens.
Tip
SubcueAI offers a free Starter plan with 10 AI answers per day. You can upgrade to Pro (200/day) or Premium (unlimited) at any time from the Billing page.
Sign in to SubcueAI
Don't have an account? Sign up
Upload Your Resume (Recommended)
Uploading your resume helps SubcueAI generate more personalized and accurate AI answers. The AI uses your experience, skills, and background to tailor responses to your profile.
- 1
Navigate to Resumes
Open the SubcueAI dashboard in your browser and go to the Resumes page.
- 2
Upload your file
Click "Upload Resume" and select a PDF, DOC, or DOCX file (up to 10 MB). SubcueAI automatically extracts the text content from your resume.
- 3
Verify extraction
After uploading, you'll see a preview of the extracted text. Make sure your key information (experience, skills, education) is captured correctly.
Tip
For best results, use a text-based PDF rather than a scanned image. This ensures SubcueAI can extract all your information accurately. You can upload multiple resumes and switch between them for different types of interviews.
user@example.com
Pro Plan
Resumes
Uploaded Mar 15, 2026
Uploaded Jan 8, 2026
Add a Job Description (Recommended)
Adding the job description for your upcoming interview helps the AI understand the role and tailor answers to what the interviewer is looking for.
- 1
Navigate to Job Descriptions
Open the SubcueAI dashboard and go to the Job Descriptions page.
- 2
Enter the details
Fill in the job title (e.g., "Senior Software Engineer"), company name (e.g., "Google"), and paste the full job description text.
- 3
Save
Click "Save" to store the job description. You can create multiple job descriptions for different positions and select the relevant one before each interview.
Tip
The more detailed the job description, the better the AI answers. Include the full listing with requirements, responsibilities, and preferred qualifications.
user@example.com
Pro Plan
Job Descriptions
Configure Your Settings
Before your first interview, configure SubcueAI's language, overlay appearance, and keyboard shortcuts to match your preferences.
- 1
Language settings
Set the interviewer language (speech recognition) and AI answer language (AI answer generation). SubcueAI supports English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, and more.
- 2
Overlay appearance
Adjust the overlay opacity (how transparent the floating window is) and font size. A semi-transparent overlay lets you see your video call behind the answers.
- 3
Keyboard shortcuts
The default AI trigger key is Right Shift on both macOS and Windows. You can change it to any key you prefer in the Keybinds settings — click 'Change Key' and press any key to set it.
| Shortcut | Action | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Right Shift | Trigger AI answer generation | macOS & Windows |
| ↑ / ↓ | Navigate between interview questions | macOS & Windows |
| ← / → | Navigate between AI answer tabs | macOS & Windows |
user@example.com
Pro Plan
General
Start an Interview
When your interview begins, start SubcueAI's recording to capture audio from your video call. SubcueAI works with any application that outputs audio through your speakers.
- 1
Join your call
Open Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or any other video conferencing app and join your interview call as you normally would.
- 2
Start recording
Click the "Start Interview" button in the SubcueAI overlay. The status indicator turns green, and SubcueAI begins capturing dual audio streams — system audio (the interviewer's voice) and your microphone.
- 3
Position the overlay
The floating overlay window appears on screen. You can drag it to any position. Place it where you can glance at it comfortably during the conversation without looking away from your camera.
Tip
Test your audio setup before the interview. Make sure your speakers or headphones are working (so SubcueAI can capture the interviewer's voice) and your microphone is active. You can do a quick test by playing any audio and checking if SubcueAI picks it up.
AI answers will appear here
Understanding the Overlay
The SubcueAI overlay is a floating window split into two sections. The top shows real-time interview questions (transcribed from the interviewer's voice), and the bottom shows AI-generated answer suggestions.
- 1
Top section — Interview questions
As the interviewer speaks, their words appear in real-time as cyan-colored text. SubcueAI uses speech-to-text to transcribe the audio. You'll see partial results updating live, then finalized text once the interviewer finishes a sentence.
- 2
Bottom section — AI answers
When an AI answer is generated, it appears as green-colored text in the lower section. The answer streams in real-time, word by word, so you can start reading immediately.
- 3
Draggable divider
Between the two sections is a draggable divider. Drag it up to see more of the answer, or down to see more of the transcript. Adjust based on what you need most during the conversation.
- 4
Question selection
Use the ↑ and ↓ arrow keys to highlight different questions in the transcript. This is useful when you want to generate an AI answer for a previous question, not just the most recent one.
I'd facilitate a structured discussion focused on data and trade-offs rather than opinions. In a similar situation, I created a decision matrix comparing both approaches against our key requirements — scalability, maintainability, and timeline.
Getting AI Answers
Press your configured hotkey to generate an AI answer for the current interview question. SubcueAI sends the question along with your resume and job description context to generate a personalized response.
- 1
Trigger manually
When you see a question you want help with, press your AI trigger key (Right Shift by default). The AI generates a contextual answer using your resume, job description, and the conversation history.
- 2
Read the response
The answer streams into the bottom section of the overlay in real-time. Read through it and use the key points naturally in your spoken response — don't read it word-for-word.
- 3
Browse answer history
Use the ← and → arrow keys to navigate between previous AI answers. Each answer is stored in a numbered tab, so you can reference earlier answers during follow-up questions.
- 4
Auto-trigger mode (optional)
If you prefer hands-free operation, enable auto-trigger in settings. SubcueAI will automatically generate an answer whenever it detects the interviewer has finished asking a question.
Tip
The AI generates better answers when you've uploaded your resume and added the job description. Without context, answers are generic. With context, they reference your specific experience and align with the role requirements.
Press hotkey to generate AI answer
After the Interview
When your interview ends, stop the recording in SubcueAI. Your transcript is saved, and you can view a detailed AI-generated performance analysis with scoring and improvement suggestions.
- 1
Stop recording
Click the "Stop" button in the overlay. SubcueAI stops capturing audio and uploads the interview transcript to your account.
- 2
View analysis
After processing, SubcueAI generates a performance analysis including an overall score, identified strengths, areas for improvement, and specific suggestions for your next interview.
- 3
Review transcript
You can review the full interview transcript, including both the interviewer's questions and your responses. This helps you identify patterns and improve over time.
- 4
Track progress
Across multiple interviews, use the analytics to track your improvement. See which types of questions you handle well and where you need more practice.
Note
Performance analysis is available on Pro and Premium plans. Free plan users can still see their interview transcripts.
Interview Analysis
Senior Software Engineer — Google · Apr 7, 2026
Strengths
Improve
Suggestions
When discussing system design, always include scale numbers (users, RPS, data volume) to make your answers more concrete.
Practice the STAR format (Situation → Task → Action → Result) for behavioral questions to improve structure.
Allow brief pauses before answering — it signals thoughtfulness and gives you time to organize your response.
47 min
Duration
12
Questions
8
AI Answers
Tips & Best Practices
Test your audio before the interview — play a YouTube video and check if SubcueAI picks up the sound. This confirms system audio capture is working.
Upload your resume and add the job description for the best AI answers. Generic answers without context are far less helpful.
Use keyboard shortcuts instead of mouse clicks during the interview. Reaching for your mouse is more noticeable than pressing a key.
Read AI answers for key points and structure, then respond in your own words. Interviewers can tell when someone is reading verbatim.
Position the overlay near your webcam so your eye movement looks natural when glancing at suggestions.
After each interview, review the performance analysis and work on the suggested improvement areas before your next one.
Start with the free plan to get comfortable, then upgrade when you have real interviews coming up.
Tutorial FAQ
What permissions does SubcueAI need?
On macOS, SubcueAI needs Screen Recording permission (for system audio capture) and Microphone access. On Windows, it needs Microphone access. SubcueAI does not record your screen — the Screen Recording permission on macOS is required by the operating system for any app that captures system audio.
How do I upload my resume?
Log in to your SubcueAI account at subcue.ai, go to Dashboard → Resumes, and click "Upload Resume". Supported formats are PDF, DOC, and DOCX (up to 10 MB). The system automatically extracts text from your file.
Which video conferencing apps work with SubcueAI?
SubcueAI works with any application that outputs audio through your computer's speakers. This includes Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, WebEx, Discord, Slack Huddles, and phone calls via speakerphone.
What are the keyboard shortcuts?
The main shortcut is the AI trigger key: Right Shift by default on both macOS and Windows (customizable to any key). Use ↑/↓ arrow keys to navigate between interview questions, and ←/→ to browse previous AI answers.
What languages does SubcueAI support?
SubcueAI supports speech recognition and AI answer generation in English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and more. You can set different languages for the interviewer language (speech recognition) and AI answer language (AI answers).
Is SubcueAI detectable during interviews?
SubcueAI is designed as a lightweight, privacy-first tool. It runs as a native desktop app with a floating overlay — it does not inject into your browser, install browser extensions, or add bots to your call. Audio is captured locally on your device using system-level APIs.