# Settings

![Fluent – Settings](/help-assets/fluent-settings.webp)

Fluent settings are organized into tabs that cover everything from basic preferences to advanced customization.

Access settings from the menu bar or with the keyboard shortcut.

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## General

The General tab contains the most common settings.

**Language Settings:**

Choose your native language. Fluent uses this to improve responses and UI elements when appropriate.

**Global AI Model Selection:**

Set the default model for all conversations. This is the model Fluent uses unless you manually select a different one in the Smart Panel.

You can override this default on a per-conversation basis or when running specific actions.

**Appearance:**

Choose between System, Light, or Dark theme:
- **System** follows macOS appearance settings
- **Light** always uses light mode
- **Dark** always uses dark mode

**System Settings:**

- **Launch at login** – Start Fluent automatically when you log in to macOS
- **Keep dock icon on** – Show Fluent in the Dock (disable for a cleaner Dock)
- **Hide menu bar icon** – Hide the menu bar icon if you prefer keyboard-only access

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## Advanced

![Fluent – Advanced Settings](/help-assets/fluent-advanced-settings.webp)

The Advanced tab contains settings that change Fluent behavior and are intended for users who want more control.

> **Warning:** These settings can change Fluent behavior, proceed at your own risk.

**System Prompt:**

The system prompt defines how Fluent behaves across all conversations. Click **Customize** to modify the default instructions that guide the AI's responses.

The default system prompt is carefully designed. Only customize it if you have specific requirements and understand how system prompts work.

**MCP Prompt:**

The MCP prompt controls how Fluent uses Model Context Protocol tools. Click **Customize** to modify the instructions that guide tool selection and usage.

This is separate from the system prompt and focuses specifically on MCP behavior, such as:
- When to use MCP tools
- How to select the right server
- How to chain tool executions

**Experimental Features:**

- **Expressive responses** – Enable AI model to respond more expressively, using formatted layouts (e.g., lists, tables, etc.)
- **Include emojis** – When enabled, the model may include emojis in responses
- **No em dashes in response** – Instruct AI to avoid em dashes unless provided or explicitly requested

These features are experimental and may change or be removed in future versions.

**PopClip:**

Install a PopClip extension that opens Fluent or its actions with the selected text. This is useful if you use PopClip for text editing workflows.

Click **Install** to add the extension to PopClip.

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## Other Settings Tabs

In addition to General and Advanced, Fluent has dedicated tabs for:

- **Smart Panel** – Position mode, shortcuts, and panel behavior
- **Models** – Provider API keys, model selection, and custom providers
- **Context** – App and browser context settings
- **Integrations** – MCP integrations and tool management
- **Memory** – Memory groups and knowledge management
- **Variables** – Custom variables and built-in variable configuration
- **History** – Retention, cleanup, export, and import
- **Blacklist** – Apps where Fluent should not activate

Each tab focuses on a specific Fluent feature and contains all related settings in one place.

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## Restore Defaults

Most customizable settings include a **Restore to built-in** option that resets them to the original default.

Use this if you've made changes and want to go back to the standard behavior.