AI Providers

Return offers two ways to run AI: locally on your machine or through Return’s cloud servers.

Local mode

Local mode sends all AI requests to Ollama running on your computer. Nothing leaves your machine — your documents stay completely private. This is the default mode and works without an account or subscription.

You choose which model to use (like llama3.2 or mistral) and can switch models at any time. See the Ollama setup guide for installation and model recommendations.

Best for: Privacy, offline work, zero cost.

Cloud mode

Cloud mode routes AI requests through Return’s servers, giving you access to larger, more capable models without running anything locally. There’s no setup — just switch the mode and start working.

Cloud mode requires a Pro subscription. Your remaining action quota is shown in the AI settings.

Best for: Powerful analysis, complex tasks, no local hardware requirements.

Switching modes

Open Settings (Cmd+,), go to the AI tab, and toggle between Local and Cloud. The switch takes effect immediately — your next message will use the selected mode.

Your chat history is preserved when switching. You can go back and forth freely, for example using local mode for everyday editing and cloud mode when you need deeper analysis.

Comparing modes