CatScribe Docs

#App Screens and Navigation

CatScribe Translate organizes translation, review, glossary, model, and settings tools into app areas. Use this page when you know what you want to do but are not sure where it lives.

#Main Tabs

Use the sidebar to switch between main areas:

Tab What it does
Quick Translate Translate small snippets. Choose provider, languages, and click Translate.
File Translation Translate entire documents (EPUB, DOCX, PDF). Upload, set languages, start the job.
Subtitle Translation Translate subtitle files (SRT, VTT). Chunk, translate, export.
History View past jobs, open them in the CAT Editor, manage status.
Glossaries Create and manage glossary groups for terminology.
Models Download and manage local LLM models (Ollama, LM Studio).
Settings Configure translation preferences, output directory, models, and optional integrations.
Support Contact support, submit feedback.
Lab Experimental features.
About Version and credits.

#Common Tasks

Task Start here
Translate a first file First Translation
Translate a book Translating Books
Translate subtitles Translating Subtitles
Preserve document formatting Editing Without Breaking Formatting
Fix terminology drift Glossaries
Improve slow translation Performance Guidelines

#Models Tab

The Models tab is where you download and manage local LLM models for AI translation and Help Chat.

  • Ollama status — Whether Ollama is installed and running.
  • LM Studio status — Whether LM Studio is detected.
  • Hardware profile — RAM, GPU, disk usage, and tier (low/mid/high).
  • Recommended models — Hardware-based list with one-click download buttons.
  • Installed models — Ollama and LM Studio models; uninstall available for Ollama.

Ollama models download through the app. LM Studio models are managed inside LM Studio.

#Settings Sections

Settings is a single scrollable page with these sections:

#Updates (desktop only)

Current version, check for updates, download latest build.

#AI Settings

  • Help Chat — Enable the AI Help Chat when supported by your setup.
  • AI provider — Choose from supported local or connected AI providers.
  • Local model settings — Configure local model connections when you use them.
  • Translation models — Choose models used for translation assistance where available.

#General Settings

Output directory, upload limits, chunk size, retry behavior, diagnostics, onboarding, and other app preferences.

#Integrations

Optional local tools you can connect. Expand the Integrations section to see:

Integration Purpose
LibreTranslate (Docker) Local translation endpoint. CatScribe checks http://localhost:5001 by default.
LM Studio Local LLM server for Help Chat and enhancement. Auto-detected at http://localhost:1234/v1.
Connected AI provider Connect supported external AI services when you choose to use them.

#Help System

The floating help button (bottom-right) opens:

  • Help Center — Search topics by keyword.
  • AI Help Chat — Chat with a local LLM for answers (enable in Settings).
  • Privacy and Terms — Usage and privacy info.
  • Download your first model — Quick link to Models tab.
  • Configure Translation engine — Translation engine setup.