Join the beta

Getting started

About 15 minutes, most of it waiting for downloads.

You need a Windows 10 or 11 PC, an invite code and a free AI key. Nothing here costs money.

  1. Get an invite code

    Cortex is in private beta. Write to invyedits1@gmail.com and say what you’d use it for. You get the installer and a code that looks like CX-ABCD-EFGH-JKLM.

  2. Install Cortex

    Open the installer and follow it. If Windows says “Windows protected your PC”, press More info, then Run anyway. That happens with new apps Windows hasn’t seen many times yet.

    If your PC is missing the Microsoft runtime the voice needs, the installer gets it from Microsoft. Windows asks you to allow that once.

  3. Make your account

    Cortex opens on its sign-up page. Type your name, your email, a password and your invite code. Tick the two boxes (the terms, and that you’re 18 or older), then make the account. Cortex locks with this password when you step away.

  4. Connect a free AI key

    Go to build.nvidia.com, sign in and press Get API Key. Copy the key.

    In Cortex, open Settings, then AI on this PC, then AI accounts and keys. Pick NVIDIA, paste the key and press Connect. The key stays on your PC, encrypted, and is only sent to NVIDIA.

  5. Tell Cortex what you do

    Pick creator, freelancer or small business, and your niche. Cortex switches on the brains you need and leaves the rest off. You can change this later in Settings, You.

  6. Make your first video

    Open Videos, type a topic under Make a video, and press Make it. The first time, Cortex sets up its video tools, about 30 MB. The Writer writes the script, the Editor makes the video with a voice, pictures, music and captions, and it waits for you to look at it.

    For a natural voice instead of the Windows one, open Videos, then Setup, and set up the natural voice.

  7. Connect your accounts

    In Videos, then Setup, connect YouTube, Instagram or TikTok. You sign in on their own pages. Cortex never sees your password.

  8. Switch on Autopilot when you trust it

    At the top of Videos, switch from “I choose” to Autopilot and pick how many videos a day. Cortex asks for your yes first. From then on it finds trends, makes the videos and posts them by itself. Switch back any time.

  9. Talk to it

    On Home, type to Cortex or hold Space and speak. Anywhere on your PC, Ctrl+Space opens Hey Cortex, a small bar for quick questions. Ctrl+K searches everything in the app.

  10. If something goes wrong

    Press Send feedback under Engine online, at the bottom left. Say what happened and add a screenshot. Tick “Add the problem report” so we can see what Cortex saw, with keys and passwords taken out.