Capecho

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Capecho is a vocabulary acquisition and spaced repetition software application designed for macOS, with a phone companion planned. It functions as a capture-to-review tool that utilizes on-device Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and AI-powered contextual understanding to streamline the process of learning new words encountered during reading.

2. Core Value Proposition: Capecho solves the fundamental problem of vocabulary forgetting by capturing unknown words in their original context with a single keystroke and automatically scheduling their review using a spaced repetition system (SRS/FSRS). It exists to transform passive reading into active, efficient vocabulary building without disrupting the reading flow, acting as a seamless bridge between encountering a word and committing it to long-term memory.

Main Features

1. On-Device OCR Capture: Using macOS's built-in, privacy-focused text recognition APIs, Capecho captures the selected word and its surrounding sentence from any non-selectable text—PDFs, images, video subtitles, and articles—via a keyboard shortcut (⌥E). The process is immediate and local; the screen image never leaves the user's machine, and only the recognized text is processed, allowing for editing and correction before saving.
2. In-Context AI Understanding: Upon capture, Capecho provides an immediate, concise in-context gloss, offering a core meaning, part of speech, and pronunciation for the word as it appears in the user's specific sentence. This feature uses AI to interpret nuance beyond a static dictionary definition, with an optional, expandable section for deeper senses. It is designed to be non-blocking, not delaying the save action.
3. Spaced-Repetition Review System (FSRS): Saved words are automatically formatted into review cards where the front is the user's original context sentence, and the back contains the word and its definition. The integrated SRS algorithm, based on FSRS (Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler), schedules reviews at optimal intervals based on user feedback ("Forget," "Hard," "Good," "Easy"), ensuring words are recalled just before they would be forgotten.
4. Vocabulary Management & Export: All saved items are organized in a "Word Book." The system supports one-click export to standard formats like Anki decks (APKG) and CSV, ensuring users' curated vocabulary lists are portable and not locked into the application.

Problems Solved

1. The Context-Definition Mismatch: Traditional methods force users to choose between a dictionary (generic definition) or a manual note (no system). Capecho solves this by permanently pairing the precise word with the exact sentence where its meaning was activated, solving the problem of forgetting which definition applied in a specific context.

2. The Interrupted Reading Flow: Looking up a word often requires switching to a dictionary app or browser, breaking concentration. Capecho's single-keyword capture and in-context popover allow the user to understand the word and continue reading within the same interface, minimizing cognitive disruption.

3. Forgetting and Inefficient Review: Users who manually record words often fail to review them systematically. Capecho automates the spaced repetition scheduling, eliminating the need to build or manage decks manually (as the capture is the card creation), ensuring consistent, effective long-term retention.

4. Target Audience: This includes avid readers of foreign language content (e.g., academic papers, literature, news), language learners, students, and professionals who need to rapidly build domain-specific vocabulary without sacrificing reading efficiency.

5. Use Cases: Essential for reading scanned PDFs or academic articles where text isn't selectable, watching foreign-language films with subtitles, studying from images or presentations, and integrating vocabulary building directly into the daily workflow of research or recreational reading.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation from Traditional Tools: Unlike a dictionary/translator, Capecho doesn't just define; it contextualizes and schedules review. Unlike a standalone SRS app (e.g., Anki), it doesn't require manual card creation or importing. Compared to other OCR tools, it adds the crucial layer of contextual understanding and memory science. It is a unified pipeline: Capture → Understand → Review.
2. Key Innovation: The deep integration of on-device OCR with a context-aware AI gloss and a native FSRS scheduler within a single, minimal-interaction workflow is the core innovation. The privacy-first architecture (processing text locally) and the focus on "the sentence as the unit of memory" fundamentally change how vocabulary is collected and retained from reading material.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is my screen data private and secure with Capecho's OCR? Yes. Capecho uses macOS's on-device text recognition API. The system processes the screen text locally at the moment of your keypress. The actual screen image is never sent to or stored by Capecho; only the resulting text is passed to the app for your review and saving. This is a core privacy feature detailed in their model.
2. What does Capecho offer that Anki doesn't? Capecho eliminates the deck-building phase. The act of capturing a word is the creation of a review card, complete with your authentic context sentence. It provides a unified capture-to-review loop designed specifically for seamless integration with reading, whereas Anki is a powerful but manual flashcard system.
3. Is Capecho free to use, and what does the Pro subscription include? The core loop is free: unlimited word capture (OCR & clipboard), full definitions, spaced-repetition review, and Anki/CSV export. The optional Pro subscription ($6/month or $48/year) unlocks unlimited in-context explanations (the AI gloss that interprets the word within your specific sentence), while the free tier offers 10 of these per day.
4. On which platforms is Capecho available, and what are the system requirements? Capecho is currently available for macOS. The developers note that a phone companion for review is in development, with future apps listed as "Soon" for the Mac App Store, iOS, Google Play, and Microsoft Store. The current version leverages macOS's native capabilities.
5. How does capturing a word from an image or non-selectable text work? When you press the ⌥E shortcut, Capecho triggers macOS's built-in on-device text recognition on the current screen content. It can read text from images, paused videos, and PDFs—anywhere text is visually rendered—making it versatile for various media where standard copy-paste isn't possible.