Getting Started with N.O.V.A.

The short version

To run N.O.V.A. you need four things:

1. A computer running Windows or Mac, with an internet connection.
2. A N.O.V.A. license key (your 7-day free trial, or a purchased license).
3. Your own Anthropic API key. This is what powers N.O.V.A.'s AI. During your free trial we provide it for you; after the trial you add your own.
4. The accounts for any skills you want to connect (Google, Apple, and so on). You only need the ones for the skills you actually use.

A microphone is optional and only needed for hands-free voice.

1. Your computer

Windows	Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit).
Mac	macOS on Apple Silicon (M1 and newer) or Intel Macs.
Internet	Required. N.O.V.A. talks to the AI and to your connected services online.
Microphone	Optional. Needed for "Hey N.O.V.A." wake-word and voice dictation. You can also type to N.O.V.A.

2. A N.O.V.A. license key

Your license key is what activates the app on your computer. You enter it once in the setup wizard the first time you open N.O.V.A.

• 7-day free trial to try N.O.V.A. before you buy.
• Full license: $125 one-time.
• Managed subscription: $20 per month, where we help with connection setup.

See the Pricing page and N.O.V.A. Terms for full details.

3. Your own Anthropic API key

N.O.V.A.'s intelligence comes from Claude, made by Anthropic. Every N.O.V.A. customer uses their own Anthropic API key, on every plan. That means your usage is billed directly by Anthropic to you, you can see exactly what you use, and you stay in control of your spending.

During your 7-day free trial, we host the key so you can try N.O.V.A. with nothing to set up. When the trial ends, N.O.V.A. will ask you to add your own key before it continues to work.

How to get a key:

1. Create an account at console.anthropic.com.
2. Add billing and set a monthly spending limit that you are comfortable with.
3. Create an API key and paste it into N.O.V.A. when it asks.

Your key is stored securely and used only to run your own N.O.V.A. Anthropic bills you directly, and prices are set by Anthropic. See how the Anthropic key works for more.

4. Accounts for the skills you connect

N.O.V.A. works with the accounts you already have. Each skill only needs its own account, and you connect it from inside the app with a guided sign-in. Nothing is required for skills you don't use.

Google skills	A Google account for Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Sheets, Google Drive, Search Console, Business Profile or Google Ads.
App stores	An Apple Developer account (App Store Connect, Apple Search Ads) and/or a Google Play Console account.
Video ads	A HeyGen account for the video ad creator.
Everything else	Each skill's page in the skills list and the in-app connection guide tell you exactly what it needs.

Your first run

1. Download and install N.O.V.A. for Windows or Mac.
2. Open it and enter your license key in the setup wizard.
3. Say hello. Type or say "Hey N.O.V.A."
4. Connect the skills you want from Settings, one at a time.
5. Before your trial ends, add your own Anthropic key so N.O.V.A. keeps working.