# Cella: complete documentation > Cella is a local-first personal AI companion for iPhone that organises your documents, answers questions about them, and turns everyday paperwork into to-dos, spending insights, and a searchable timeline. Categories: Document organisation and management; Productivity; Utilities; Artificial intelligence; Personal AI companion; Personal finance and expense tracking; Privacy and security Platform: iOS (iPhone). Cella is an app, not a web service. Contact: info@cella-ai.com ## Capabilities - Capture documents from files, camera, photos, voice notes, pasted text, or the iOS share sheet - Automatic AI classification into smart spaces with editable tags - Key-detail extraction for dates, totals, vendors, people, and addresses - Chat with your documents using Ask AI with cited source documents - To-do list, spending overview, and month-by-month timeline built from your documents - Private Vault protected by a PIN with optional Face ID - On-device AI with Apple Intelligence or a downloadable advanced local model - Optional bring-your-own-key cloud AI with OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google Gemini - Private iCloud sync and controlled shared-space links - Encrypted manual and automatic backup with restore The remainder of this file is the full Cella user manual. Each section states its canonical URL so answers can cite the matching page. # Getting Started ## First launch Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/getting-started/first-launch/ Summary: Take the short tour, choose an on-device AI option, and reach your empty vault. ### Take the tour The first launch opens a five-page introduction to Cella. Swipe left or use **Next** to move through it. The last page takes you to Home. To leave early: 1. Tap **Skip**. 2. Turn on **Don't show again** if you do not want the tour on your next launch. 3. Tap **Skip** again to confirm. If you cancel the confirmation, the tour continues where you left it. ### Choose an AI option Cella can save documents without AI, but an available AI engine is needed to organize them, read useful details, and answer questions. You may be offered two private, on-device choices: - **Apple Intelligence** is built into supported iPhones. It requires iOS 26 or later, eligible hardware, and Apple Intelligence enabled in the iPhone Settings app. - **Gemma 4** is an advanced model that downloads into Cella and runs on supported Apple Silicon hardware. Choose one of these options: - **Apple Intelligence:** Turn on Apple Intelligence in your iPhone's Settings app, then return to Cella. - **Gemma 4:** Start the download in Cella and wait for it to finish. You only need one option. Cella automatically checks whether your chosen option is ready to use. > **Good to know:** Tap **Not Now** if you want to continue without AI. Your item can still be saved, but it may remain unorganized and Ask AI will be unavailable until you configure an engine. ### Understand your two vaults - The **Default vault** is the normal place for your documents. - The **Private Vault** is a separate, PIN-protected area available on Plus and Max plans. Home shows only one vault at a time. You can switch later from **More** (the three dots) at the top of Home. ### Start without an account Cella does not require an account or sign-in. Your working vault is stored on your iPhone. Before adding important documents, review [Backup and Restore](/manual/settings/backup-restore) so you know how to protect them from device loss or app deletion. ## Capture items Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/getting-started/capture/ Summary: Add files, photos, camera images, voice notes, pasted text, or items shared from another app. ### Open the Capture menu Tap **Capture** in the middle of the bottom bar. Choose the kind of item you want to add. Only one capture batch is processed at a time. If Cella says **Still processing**, wait for the current batch to finish and try again. ### Capture a file 1. Tap **Capture > Files**. 2. Choose one or more supported documents. 3. Cella copies them into the current vault and opens Document Processing. The Files picker accepts PDF, RTF, plain-text, and DOCX documents. A single capture can accept up to 20 documents, but your plan's document limit still applies.
Cella importing a driver licence from Files and opening the processed document.
Import a driver licence Choose a document in Files, let Cella process it, then open the finished item.
### Capture a photo or camera image - Tap **Capture > Photos** to choose one or more existing images. - Tap **Capture > Camera** to take one photo on a device with a camera. Photos requires access to the images you select. Camera requires camera permission. Clear, well-lit images give text recognition the best chance of working. > **Good to know:** Camera capture takes one photo. It is not a multi-page document scanner. ### Capture a voice note 1. Tap **Capture > Voice**. 2. Allow microphone and speech-recognition access when asked. 3. Tap the microphone to start, **Pause** when needed, and the stop button when finished. 4. Review and edit the transcript, then tap **Save**. A recording can be up to five minutes. If **Settings > Voice Dictation > Auto-save dictation** is on, a valid transcript saves as soon as recording stops. ### Capture pasted or typed text 1. Tap **Capture > Paste text**. 2. Type into the editor, or tap the clipboard button to paste copied text. 3. If the editor already contains text, confirm before replacing it from the clipboard. 4. Tap **Save**. ### Share from another app Use the iOS share sheet when a supported file or text is already open in Mail, Files, Photos, Safari, or another app: 1. Tap the app's **Share** action. 2. Choose **Cella**. 3. Review the items and select **Default** or **Private** under **Save to**. 4. Tap **Save**. Cella opens to index the items. The share extension accepts PDF, images, RTF, DOCX, and plain text. It cannot accept a new share while a previous capture batch is still processing. ### Resolve a duplicate When Cella finds an item that is already in the vault, choose: - **Replace** to remove the existing copy and use the new one. - **Keep Both** to save both copies. - **Cancel** to leave the existing item unchanged and skip the new copy. After a successful capture, use Document Processing to follow progress. ## Processing and review Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/getting-started/processing-review/ Summary: Follow document progress and confirm or correct items in Needs Review. ### Follow Document Processing After a successful capture, Cella opens **Document Processing**. It shows how many documents are complete and which items still have work remaining. 1. Keep the sheet open for uninterrupted processing when practical. 2. You may continue using Cella while it runs. 3. Tap a document row to inspect it. 4. Tap **Done** to return to Home. A progress card remains at the top while work continues. Processing can include reading text, making the item searchable, choosing a Smart Space and tags, extracting key details, and generating Smart Questions. Some steps take longer than others.
Cella processing an imported medical summary and presenting its extracted action.
Follow a medical summary through processing Watch Cella process the imported document and turn its information into an action.
### Review uncertain documents Documents that need your decision appear under **Needs Review** on Home. For one card: - Tap the green checkmark to accept its current classification. - Tap the retry button when processing failed. - Tap the trash button to delete it. - Tap the card to open details and correct its subject, Smart Space, tags, or key data before saving. - Touch and hold it for **Open** or **Delete**. ### Review the full queue When more than five items need review, tap **More** at the end of the carousel. The full Needs Review screen lets you inspect every item. Tap **Approve all** only when you are comfortable keeping the current labels for the entire queue. You can still edit individual documents afterwards. > **Good to know:** Cella uses the **Settings > Classification > Confidence threshold** to decide which classifications need review. A higher threshold sends more items to Needs Review; a lower one accepts more AI results automatically. ### Understand processing problems - **Not searchable** means Cella could not create usable searchable text for that item. - A failed item may offer **Retry**. Retry reruns the failed or skipped work without removing a classification you already accepted. - If classification succeeded but key-detail extraction failed, you can accept the classification and retry extraction from document details. - Unsupported, empty, unreadable, or locked content may not produce searchable text or key details. # Organize and Find ## Home and heads-ups Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/organize/home/ Summary: Learn what appears on Home and how to act on useful reminders. ### Know what you are looking at Home always shows one vault at a time. The word **Private** appears beside the Cella name when the Private Vault is open. Use **More** (the three dots) and tap **Switch to Private** or **Switch to Default** to change vaults. The main sections appear only when they have something useful to show: - **Heads up** shows dates, unusual bills, or expected recurring bills that may need attention. - Tag buttons filter documents that share a label. Tap **All tags** when there are more than ten common tags. - **Smart spaces** groups documents by purpose, such as Finance, Property, or Travel. - **Recently added** shows your newest items. - **Uncategorized** holds items that do not yet belong to a Smart Space. ### Use a heads-up 1. Tap a heads-up to open its source document. 2. Tap the **x** to dismiss it from Home. 3. Touch and hold an upcoming due-date heads-up to edit or delete its to-do. 4. Touch and hold another type of heads-up and tap **Don't show again** if you do not want that reminder to return. > **Good to know:** Dismissing a heads-up hides that reminder. It does not delete the document. Use **More > Reset heads-ups** if you want Cella to check the current vault again and recreate eligible reminders. ### Open a Smart Space or tag 1. Tap a Smart Space tile to see the documents inside it. 2. Tap a tag near the top of Home to see matching documents. 3. Tap a document row to view and edit its details. 4. Use the list button beside a document section when you want to select several documents for a bulk action. ### Use the main controls - Tap **Search** at the top to find documents in the current vault. - Tap **Ask AI** to ask a question across the current vault. - Use **Home**, **To Do**, **Spend**, and **Timeline** in the bottom bar to change views. - Tap **Capture** to add a file, photo, camera image, voice note, or pasted text. ## Smart Spaces and tags Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/organize/smart-spaces/ Summary: Create and manage the categories and tags Cella uses to organize documents. ### Understand Smart Spaces Smart Spaces are the main categories in a vault. Cella can assign a document to one space during classification. Each space can also define up to eight tags that describe documents inside it. Tap a Smart Space tile on Home to see its documents. The space order on Home matches the order in the Spaces management screen. ### Open space management Use either path: - On Home, tap the sliders button beside **Smart spaces**. - Open **More > Settings > Classification > Spaces**. ### Create a custom space 1. Open Spaces and tap the **+** button. 2. Enter a clear **Name**. 3. Choose an icon. Cella suggests one from the name, but you can choose another. 4. Add an optional **AI hint** with short examples of what belongs there and what does not. 5. Add up to eight optional tags. 6. Tap **Save**. 7. Choose **Classify again** if you want existing, non-user-edited documents checked against the new space, or **Skip** to use it only going forward. Your plan may limit how many custom spaces you can create. Built-in spaces do not count toward that limit.
Cella creating a custom Car Smart Space and classifying a service record into it.
Create a Car Smart Space Add an AI hint and tags, then classify a service record into the new space.
### Reorder spaces 1. Open Spaces. 2. Tap the reorder button with the up and down arrows. 3. Drag spaces into the order you want. 4. Tap the checkmark when finished. The new order is saved and used by the Home grid. ### Hide or show a built-in space 1. Touch and hold a built-in space. 2. Tap **Hide**. A hidden space remains available to Cella but is removed from the normal Home grid. Touch and hold it again in Spaces and tap **Show** to restore it. ### Rename or delete a custom space Touch and hold a custom space, then choose **Rename** or **Delete**. When deleting, choose what happens to affected items: - **Classify items again** asks Cella to choose another space. - **Move to 'other'** places them in the built-in Other space. Documents you manually labeled keep their user tag. ### Edit a space and its tags Tap a space row to open its details. - Custom spaces let you change the icon and name. - All spaces let you edit the **Description** sent to the classifier. Leave a built-in description empty to use its default. - Under **Tags**, add, rename, or delete tags. Renaming updates every document using that tag. Deleting removes it from every affected document. - A custom space also has a **Delete space** action at the bottom. > **Good to know:** A space description guides future classification; it does not immediately move existing documents. Use **Settings > Classification > Classify All Again** when you need a broader re-run. ### Share a space You can share any non-sensitive space in the Default vault, including built-in and filter-based spaces. Open the space in **Spaces**, tap **Share space**, and copy or send its Cella invitation link from the sharing screen. Links use **cella-ai.com** and open Cella to join using iCloud. Creating a new share requires Max. Accepting an invitation is available on every plan, and an existing share keeps syncing and can still be managed after the owner downgrades. Recipients need Cella installed and an iCloud account. If the invitation opens in a browser, tap **Open in Cella**. If needed, install Cella first and then reopen the original invitation. Test invitations open Cella Test and require the matching TestFlight build. An invalid link asks you to request a fresh invitation from the owner; Cella does not redirect invitations to the iCloud website. - **View only** participants can read, search, ask questions, and export a copy. - **Can edit** participants can add, edit, move, and delete documents in that space. - Only the owner can change the space definition, invite or remove people, change permissions, or stop sharing. The shared badge on Home shows that a space is shared. An iCloud warning badge means Cella is showing the last synchronized copy while the account or network is unavailable. Pending invitations do not appear on Home until they are accepted. Sharing follows the space automatically. Moving a document into a shared space publishes it to that space's participants; moving it out removes that access on the next sync. Private Vault and sensitive spaces never offer sharing. The owner can stop sharing or remove one participant, and a participant can leave. Cella removes the affected local shared copy on the next sync. Revocation is best effort: copies already downloaded may remain until that device syncs, and files exported earlier are outside Cella's control. ## Search and Ask AI Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/organize/search-ask-ai/ Summary: Find documents or ask grounded questions across a vault or about one document. ### Search the current vault 1. Tap the magnifying-glass button at the top of Home. 2. Enter words or a natural phrase in **Search your vault**. 3. Tap **Search** on the keyboard. 4. Tap a result to open its details. Search combines visible text and meaning when an item has been indexed. Results and row actions apply only to the vault you are currently viewing. Tap the clear button in the search field to start over. ### Ask across a vault 1. Tap **Ask AI** at the top of Home. 2. Check the engine label above the conversation so you know what is answering. 3. Type a question and tap **Send**. 4. Read the answer and review any **Sources** shown below it. 5. Tap a source to open the supporting document. Vault-wide Ask AI searches indexed documents in the current vault. Free and Plus plans show the remaining questions for the selected engine; Apple Intelligence and advanced-model allowances are counted separately. Accepted shared-space documents are included in Default-vault search and Ask AI without being reprocessed on the participant's device. If a selected engine sends data off the device, Cella asks for confirmation before shared content is transmitted. Declining keeps local reading and search available.
Cella finding a laptop receipt, asking a vault-wide question, and showing supporting sources.
Find a receipt and ask a vault-wide question Search for a laptop receipt, ask about its cost, and review the supporting sources.
### Ask about one document Open document details and tap **Ask AI**. The **Asking about** chip confirms that the conversation is limited to that item. If the document has **Smart Questions**, tap one to send it immediately. Per-document Ask AI is not counted against a vault-wide daily allowance. > **Good to know:** AI answers can be incomplete or wrong. Open the source document before relying on an important date, amount, instruction, or decision.
Cella opening an imported grocery receipt and answering a question about that document.
Ask about one receipt Open an imported receipt and use a Smart Question grounded in that document.
### Copy or retry an answer - Tap the copy button under one message to copy only that message. - Tap the copy-conversation button in the header to copy the full conversation with **You** and **AI** labels. - If a request fails and a retry button appears, tap it to send the same question again. - Tap the conversation area to dismiss the keyboard while reading. ### Start or manage chats - Tap **New chat** in the Ask AI header to clear the current thread and start another. - Tap **History** to see saved conversations for the current vault. - Tap a saved chat to resume it. - Swipe a saved chat to rename or delete it. - Tap **Delete all** to remove every saved chat in the current vault. Deleting a chat does not delete its source documents. ### When Ask AI is unavailable The Ask AI screen explains what is missing and may offer a button to open Cella Settings or the iPhone Settings app. Common causes are: - Apple Intelligence is off, still activating, unsupported, or requires a newer iOS version. - The selected advanced model is not downloaded or its storage folder needs relinking. - A cloud provider is missing its API key or cannot connect. - No AI engine is currently available for the vault. # Work With Content ## Documents and details Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/content/documents/ Summary: Open, move, share, classify, edit, select, and delete documents. ### Open a document Tap a document row to open its details. You can also touch and hold a row and tap **Open** to show the original file preview. Swipe a row left to reveal quick Open and Delete buttons. A full left swipe starts the delete confirmation. ### Use the document menu Touch and hold a document row for these actions: - **Open** previews the stored file. - **Move** changes the Smart Space. - **Save to** moves the item between the Default and Private vaults when both are available. - **Edit spend** appears in a Spend category document list. - **Delete** removes the item after confirmation. Moving to another Smart Space does not change vault. Moving to another vault keeps the document but changes where it is stored and viewed. ### Select several documents 1. Tap the list button beside a document section. 2. Tap each document you want to select. 3. Open the selection actions menu. 4. Choose **Delete**, **Move**, or **Save to**. 5. Tap the close button to leave selection mode. Move and Save to are unavailable while a selected document is still processing. ### Check the preview and main actions Document details begins with a preview and the editable document subject. Tap the preview to open the original file. The action row can include: - **Classify again** to re-run analysis. The current Smart Space, subject, and tags may be overwritten. - **Ask AI** to ask about only this document. - **Share** to send the original file through the iOS share sheet. - **Delete** to permanently remove the document. ### Correct classification 1. Edit the subject at the top if the document title is unclear. 2. Choose the correct **Smart Space**. 3. Remove an incorrect tag, or tap **+** to add another tag available in that space. 4. Tap **Save** or accept the review when finished. Changing Smart Space clears the current tags. After saving, Cella can derive tags from the new space again. ### Edit key data Under **Key Details**, tap the edit button. You can correct: - document date - total amount and currency code - spend category - vendor or issuer - people - addresses Tap **Save** to apply the changes. User-edited fields are kept when later extraction runs again. > **Good to know:** Use a three-letter currency code such as USD, EUR, GBP, or AUD. Cella keeps different currencies separate and does not convert them. ### Edit things to do Under **Things to do**, tap a task to edit its description or due date. You can also delete an item that Cella found by mistake. If there is no task, tap **Add to your calendar** to create one. Enter a description, choose whether it has a due date, then tap **Save**. ### Use Smart Questions When Smart Questions are available, tap one to open document-specific Ask AI and send it. Suggestions depend on the key details Cella found, so not every document has them. ## Manage tasks and spending Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/content/to-do-spend-timeline/ Summary: Use Cella's three rollups to act on tasks, review spending, and browse by month. ### Use To Do Tap **To Do** in the bottom bar. Tasks from the current vault are grouped by due date, such as overdue, today, upcoming, or no date. - Tap a task row to open its source document. - Tap the circle beside a task to mark it done. - Expand **Done** to see completed tasks, then tap a checked circle to mark one not done. - Touch and hold a task for **Edit** or **Delete**. Editing lets you change the description, add or remove a due date, or delete an extracted item that is not useful.
Cella opening a to-do from the list and changing its description and due date.
Edit a to-do Open the task menu, update the wording or due date, and save the changes.
### Add a missing to-do 1. Open the related document. 2. Find **Things to do**. 3. Tap **Add to your calendar**. 4. Enter the task and choose its due date. 5. Tap **Save**. Cella may schedule a local reminder for a supported upcoming date after you allow notification permission. iOS controls final notification delivery. ### Review Spend Tap **Spend** in the bottom bar. Cella shows totals for the current year, grouped by spend category and currency. 1. Tap a category to see the documents behind its total. 2. Tap a document to open its details. 3. Touch and hold a document in this list and tap **Edit spend** for a quick correction. 4. Change the amount, currency, or category, then tap **Save**. Choosing **None** as the spend category removes the amount and currency from the spend rollup. > **Good to know:** Spend does not convert currencies. For example, AUD and USD appear as separate totals rather than one combined amount.
Cella opening a grocery receipt from Spend and correcting its extracted spending data.
Correct receipt spending data Open a receipt from Spend and correct the amount, currency, category, or date.
### Browse Timeline Tap **Timeline** in the bottom bar. Documents with a usable date are grouped by year and month. 1. Find the year you need. 2. Tap a month tile. 3. Open a document from the month list. If a document is in the wrong month, edit its **Key Details > Date**. ### Keep Home heads-ups in sync Completing, editing, or deleting a to-do updates related Home heads-ups. Dismissing a heads-up hides only that reminder. Use **More > Reset heads-ups** to clear current reminder state, cancel pending Cella notifications, and check the current vault again. ## Private Vault Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/content/private-vault/ Summary: Keep sensitive documents in a separate, PIN-protected area with its own AI choice. ### What the Private Vault does The Private Vault keeps sensitive documents separate from the Default vault. It has its own document lists, searches, chats, heads-ups, rollups, and optional AI-engine choice. Private Vault is available on Plus and Max plans. > **Good to know:** The Private Vault is a PIN-protected access gate and logical separation inside Cella. It is not a separately encrypted database. Vault files use iOS Data Protection like the rest of Cella. ### Enter for the first time 1. On Home, tap **More** (the three dots). 2. Tap **Switch to Private**. 3. Create a six-digit PIN. 4. Enter the same PIN again to confirm. After setup, **Private** and a lock shield appear beside the Cella name whenever that vault is open. ### Unlock later Enter your six-digit PIN when Cella asks. If Face ID is enabled, Cella prompts for it first and leaves the PIN keypad available if Face ID is cancelled or fails. After several incorrect PIN attempts, recovery actions appear: - **Use Face ID** verifies your identity and unlocks without changing the PIN. - **Forgot PIN?** uses Face ID to let you set a new PIN. PIN recovery requires Face ID. There is no destructive erase shortcut.
Cella unlocking Private Vault with Face ID and importing a lease into the private area.
Unlock Private Vault and import a lease Use Face ID to unlock, then capture a sensitive document inside the private area.
### Switch back to Default Tap **More > Switch to Default**. Cella can lock the Private Vault again after the app has been away from the foreground, so you may need to unlock when returning. ### Move documents between vaults 1. Touch and hold a document row. 2. Choose **Save to**. 3. Tap **Default** or **Private**. You can also select several documents and use the bulk **Save to** action. Documents cannot be moved while they are processing. ### Choose a Private Vault AI engine Open **More > Settings > Private Vault > Active engine**. Choose **Use Default vault's engine** or a different available engine. If you choose a cloud provider, content from the Private Vault is sent directly to that provider for classification and Ask AI. Cella asks for confirmation before applying the cloud choice. ### Manage security Open **More > Settings > Private Vault** to: - **Reset PIN** after verifying the current PIN. - turn on **Unlock with Face ID** after PIN verification and the Face ID permission prompt. - turn Face ID off while keeping the PIN. If your plan later loses Private Vault access, Cella returns to Default without deleting the private documents. They become available again when the feature is restored. # Settings ## Preferences and subscription Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/settings/preferences-subscription/ Summary: Choose the app appearance and manage your Cella plan. ### Open Settings On Home, tap **More** (the three dots), then **Settings**. Settings is ordered from everyday preferences through AI, security, classification, backup, diagnostics, and support. Tap the close button when finished. ### Choose the appearance Under **Preferences**, tap **Appearance** and choose: - **System** to follow the iPhone's current light or dark appearance. - **Light** to keep Cella light. - **Dark** to keep Cella dark. The same Appearance menu is also available directly under **More > Appearance** on Home. ### Check your current plan Tap **Subscription**. Your current Free, Plus, or Max plan appears under **Your Plan**. If an action needs a higher plan, Cella shows an upgrade screen explaining the relevant feature. Existing content is not deleted when a plan changes, even when you are above a new limit. ### Upgrade or manage a subscription - Tap **Upgrade** to compare available plans and billing periods. - Tap **Manage Subscription** to open Apple's subscription-management screen, where you can change or cancel a plan. - Tap **Restore Purchases** if a subscription bought with the current Apple ID is not appearing in Cella. Subscriptions are billed and managed by Apple. Prices and availability shown in Cella come from the App Store. > **Good to know:** Cancelling stops future renewal through Apple. Paid features remain available until the current subscription period ends. Max is required only when an owner creates a new shared space. Existing shares continue syncing after a downgrade, and the owner can still invite people, change permissions, remove participants, or stop sharing. Participants can accept and use a shared space on any plan. Received documents do not count toward the participant's document limit, and received spaces do not count toward the custom-space limit. ## AI Engine Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/settings/ai-engine/ Summary: Choose Apple Intelligence, an advanced on-device model, or a configured cloud provider. ### Understand the engine choices An AI engine organizes documents, extracts useful details, and answers Ask AI questions. Each vault chooses an active engine. - **Apple Intelligence** runs through supported iPhone system models. - **Advanced On-Device Model** downloads into Cella and runs on supported hardware. - A **cloud provider** uses your own provider account and API key. Cloud providers are available on Max. ### Choose the Default vault engine 1. Open **More > Settings > AI Engine**. 2. Tap **Default vault**. 3. Choose an available engine. 4. Confirm if Cella warns that documents will be sent to a cloud provider. The Ask AI header shows the active engine when you start a conversation. ### Set up Apple Intelligence If Apple Intelligence is not ready, Settings shows its state: Off, Activating, Unavailable, or Check setup. Tap **How to enable a model** when no engine is available. Cella can guide you to **iPhone Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri**. Apple Intelligence requires iOS 26 or later, eligible hardware, and the system model fully prepared. ### Download an advanced on-device model 1. Tap **Advanced On-Device Model**. 2. Optionally tap **Change Folder** and choose an external folder for model storage. 3. Tap **Download** beside an available model. 4. Keep the screen open to watch progress. You may cancel during download. 5. Return to AI Engine and select the installed model. An installed model row shows its storage size. Tap **Delete** to remove it. If it was active, Cella reconciles the engine choice so the vault is not left pointing at a missing model. If a model may exceed the iPhone's memory, Cella warns before download. The iOS Simulator cannot run advanced on-device models.
Cella downloading an advanced on-device model and selecting it for the Default vault.
Download and select an on-device model Download the model, return to the engine list, and select it for the Default vault.
### Add a cloud provider Cloud providers require Max and a network connection. If you do not have a provider key yet, follow the guide for your account: - [Get an Anthropic API key](/manual/settings/ai-engine/anthropic-api-key) - [Get an OpenAI API key](/manual/settings/ai-engine/openai-api-key) - [Get a Google Gemini API key](/manual/settings/ai-engine/gemini-api-key) 1. Tap **Add Cloud Provider**. 2. Choose Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, or OpenAI-compatible. 3. Enter a display name and API key. 4. For an OpenAI-compatible provider, enter its base URL and any optional API version. 5. Tap **Choose model** to load models available to the key, or use **Enter model ID manually**. 6. Tap **Test connection**. 7. After the test succeeds, tap **Save**. Testing verifies authentication, structured output, and the model's chat tool support. Saving without a successful test is allowed, but the provider row may show a warning when its key is missing or unusable. > **Good to know:** API keys are stored in the iOS Keychain. When a vault uses a cloud provider, relevant document content goes directly from your iPhone to that provider under its terms. It does not pass through a Cella server. Use an HTTPS endpoint for a custom provider whenever possible. ### Edit or delete a provider Tap a provider row to change its display name, model, endpoint details, or key and test again. The provider kind cannot be changed after it is saved. Swipe a provider row to delete it. If a deleted provider was active, the Default vault moves to Apple Intelligence when available and the Private Vault returns to its inherited engine choice. ### Understand fallback messages Settings explains common engine problems below a selection: - Apple Intelligence is off, activating, unsupported, or needs a newer iOS version. - An advanced model is not downloaded or its folder cannot be reached. - A cloud provider was deleted or is missing its API key. Fix the stated problem or choose another available engine. ## Anthropic API key Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/settings/ai-engine/anthropic-api-key/ Summary: Create an Anthropic API key and connect it to Cella. ### What you need You need a Cella Max plan, an internet connection, and a Claude Console account with API access. Claude chat subscriptions and Claude Console API usage are separate products. Your Console organization may need prepaid usage credits before Cella can complete a test request. > **Good to know:** An API key is a secret that can spend money on your provider account. Create a key for your own use, do not share it, and delete or disable it immediately if you think it has been exposed. ### Create the key in Claude Console 1. Open [Claude Console API keys](https://platform.claude.com/settings/keys) and sign in. Create a Console account if you only have a Claude chat account. 2. If asked, select the organization and workspace you want Cella to use. 3. Open **Settings > API keys** and select **Create key**. 4. Give the key a clear name, such as `Cella iPhone`. 5. For a personal setup, link the key to yourself. If workspace selection is available, choose the workspace whose usage and costs you want to track. 6. Choose an expiration. Remember that an expired key must be replaced in Cella. 7. Create the key and copy the secret when it appears. If your organization has no usable balance, open **Settings > Billing** in Claude Console and buy usage credits. Billing controls may require an Admin or Billing role. ### Add the key to Cella 1. In Cella, open **More > Settings > AI Engine**. 2. Under **Cloud Providers**, tap **Add Cloud Provider**. 3. Set **Provider** to **Anthropic**. 4. Leave **Display name** as **Anthropic**, or enter a name that helps you recognize this account. 5. Paste the secret into **API key**. Do not add spaces before or after it. 6. Tap **Choose model** and select one of the compatible models returned for your key. 7. Tap **Test connection**. 8. When Cella shows **Authenticated, structured output and chat tools verified**, tap **Save**. Cella stores the key in the iOS Keychain. When you select this provider for a vault, relevant document content is sent directly from your iPhone to Anthropic under your Anthropic account and terms. ### If the connection fails - **API key was rejected:** Copy the key again, check that it has not expired or been disabled, and remove accidental spaces. - **No models appear:** Confirm that the key is linked to a workspace where you have API access. You can also tap **Enter model ID manually** if Anthropic model discovery is temporarily unavailable. - **Rate limited or billing error:** Check the balance and limits for the selected Claude Console workspace. - **An old key stopped working:** Create a replacement, open the provider row in Cella, paste the new key, test again, and save. For current provider instructions, see [Anthropic authentication](https://platform.claude.com/docs/en/manage-claude/authentication) and [Claude API billing](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/8977456-how-do-i-pay-for-my-claude-api-usage). ## OpenAI API key Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/settings/ai-engine/openai-api-key/ Summary: Create an OpenAI API key and connect it to Cella. ### What you need You need a Cella Max plan, an internet connection, and an OpenAI API Platform account. An OpenAI API key is not included with a ChatGPT subscription. API usage has separate billing and limits. > **Good to know:** An API key is a secret that can spend money on your provider account. Create a dedicated key for Cella, do not share it, and delete it immediately if you think it has been exposed. ### Create the key in the OpenAI Platform 1. Open [OpenAI API keys](https://platform.openai.com/api-keys) and sign in. 2. Select the API project you want Cella usage to belong to. A dedicated project can make costs and limits easier to track. 3. Select **Create new secret key**. 4. Give the key a clear name, such as `Cella iPhone`. 5. If the form asks for permissions, make sure the key can list models and make model requests. The default permissions are the simplest choice for a personal setup. 6. Create the key, then copy the full secret immediately. OpenAI does not show the full value again after you close the dialog. If the account has no API balance or payment method, open the API Platform billing settings and add billing before testing in Cella. A ChatGPT payment method does not automatically apply to API usage. ### Add the key to Cella 1. In Cella, open **More > Settings > AI Engine**. 2. Under **Cloud Providers**, tap **Add Cloud Provider**. 3. Set **Provider** to **OpenAI**. 4. Leave **Display name** as **OpenAI**, or enter a name that identifies this API project. 5. Paste the secret into **API key**. Do not add spaces before or after it. 6. Tap **Choose model** and select a current general-purpose model returned for your key. 7. Tap **Test connection**. 8. When Cella shows **Authenticated, structured output and chat tools verified**, tap **Save**. Cella stores the key in the iOS Keychain. When you select this provider for a vault, relevant document content is sent directly from your iPhone to OpenAI under your OpenAI account and terms. ### If the connection fails - **API key was rejected:** Copy the key again, remove accidental spaces, and confirm it has not been deleted. - **No models appear:** Check that the key belongs to the intended project and has permission to list and use models. - **Rate limited or quota error:** Check the API project's billing balance, spend limit, and rate limits. ChatGPT subscription status does not change API limits. - **Structured output or tools are unsupported:** Return to **Choose model** and select another current general-purpose model. For current provider instructions, see the [official OpenAI quickstart](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/quickstart) and [OpenAI API keys](https://platform.openai.com/api-keys). ## Google Gemini API key Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/settings/ai-engine/gemini-api-key/ Summary: Create a Gemini API key in Google AI Studio and connect it to Cella. ### What you need You need a Cella Max plan, an internet connection, a Google account, and access to Google AI Studio in your region. Every Gemini API key belongs to a Google Cloud project, which owns its billing, permissions, quotas, and usage. > **Good to know:** An API key is a secret that can use quota or create charges on its Google Cloud project. Use a dedicated key or project where practical, do not share the key, and replace it immediately if it is exposed. ### Create or find the key in Google AI Studio 1. Open [Google AI Studio API keys](https://aistudio.google.com/apikey) and sign in. 2. Accept the terms if Google asks. New users may receive a default Google Cloud project and key automatically. 3. If a suitable key already appears, use its copy control. Otherwise, select **Create API key** and choose or create the project Cella should use. 4. If an existing Google Cloud project is missing, open **Dashboard > Projects**, select **Import projects**, import it, then return to **API Keys**. 5. Copy the new key. New keys created by Google AI Studio use Google's current authorization-key format and are restricted to the Gemini API by default. Billing is optional for models and regions that have an available free tier. If your chosen model requires paid access or more quota, set up billing for the same Google Cloud project before testing in Cella. ### Add the key to Cella 1. In Cella, open **More > Settings > AI Engine**. 2. Under **Cloud Providers**, tap **Add Cloud Provider**. 3. Set **Provider** to **Google Gemini**. 4. Leave **Display name** as **Google Gemini**, or enter a name that identifies the Google Cloud project. 5. Paste the key into **API key**. Do not add spaces before or after it. 6. Tap **Choose model** and select a compatible content-generation model returned for your key. 7. Tap **Test connection**. 8. When Cella shows **Authenticated, structured output and chat tools verified**, tap **Save**. Cella stores the key in the iOS Keychain. When you select this provider for a vault, relevant document content is sent directly from your iPhone to Google under your Google Cloud project and terms. ### If the connection fails - **Create API key is unavailable:** Use a project where you have permission to create keys, or ask the project administrator for the required access. - **API key was rejected or blocked:** Create a new key in Google AI Studio. Do not reuse an unrestricted or blocked older standard key. - **No models appear:** Confirm that the key and project can use the Gemini API in your region. - **Rate limited or quota error:** Check **Dashboard > Usage** and the billing or quota settings for the same project. - **Structured output or tools are unsupported:** Return to **Choose model** and select another compatible content-generation model. For current provider instructions, see Google's [Gemini API key guide](https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/api-key) and [Gemini API billing guide](https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/billing). ## Private Vault and Classification Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/settings/private-vault-classification/ Summary: Configure Private Vault security and control how confident classification must be. ### Choose the Private Vault engine Under **Private Vault**, tap **Active engine**. Choose **Use Default vault's engine** to inherit the Default choice, or select another available engine. The Private Vault engine applies to its classification and Ask AI. A cloud choice requires confirmation because Private Vault documents will be sent directly to that provider. ### Reset the Private Vault PIN The security controls appear after a Private Vault PIN exists. 1. Tap **Reset PIN**. 2. Enter the current PIN. 3. Enter a new six-digit PIN. 4. Enter it again to confirm. After enough incorrect attempts, Face ID recovery may be offered on supported devices. ### Turn Face ID on or off 1. Turn on **Unlock with Face ID**. 2. Enter the Private Vault PIN to authorize the change. 3. Complete the Face ID permission prompt. The switch turns on only after Face ID succeeds. Turning it off keeps PIN unlock available. ### Manage classification spaces Under **Classification**, tap **Spaces** to create, reorder, edit, hide, show, rename, or delete Smart Spaces and their tags. See [Smart Spaces and tags](/manual/organize/smart-spaces) for the full workflow. ### Set the confidence threshold Use the **Confidence threshold** slider to choose how certain Cella must be before it files a document without asking you. - Raise it to send more documents to Needs Review. - Lower it to accept more AI classifications automatically. The value changes in five-percent steps. This setting affects future classification decisions. ### Classify all documents again 1. Tap **Classify All Again**. 2. Choose **Default** or **Private** under Vault. 3. Choose a scope: - **Override All** discards manual Smart Space and tag choices, then runs classification and extraction on every document. - **Keep User Changes** preserves manually edited Smart Spaces and tags, processes everything else again, regenerates extraction data, and returns documents to Needs Review. 4. Tap **Classify Again**. > **Good to know:** Reclassification can change subjects, spaces, tags, key details, actions, and Smart Questions depending on the scope. Use Override All only when you want to replace your manual organization. ## Voice Dictation Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/settings/voice-dictation/ Summary: Choose whether Cella saves a finished recording immediately or lets you review it first. ### Choose how recordings save Open **More > Settings > Voice Dictation**. - Leave **Auto-save dictation** off to review and edit each transcript before saving. - Turn it on to save a valid transcript as soon as recording stops. Auto-save does not save an empty transcript. An unusually large transcript still opens for review rather than saving automatically. ### Record a voice note 1. Tap **Capture > Voice**. 2. Allow microphone and speech-recognition permission when asked. 3. Tap the microphone to begin. 4. Tap **Pause** and **Resume** as needed. 5. Tap stop when finished. 6. If review is enabled, correct the text and tap **Save**. The timer shows progress toward the five-minute recording limit. ### Fix permission problems If Cella shows **Microphone access needed** or **Speech recognition is off**, tap **Open Settings** and enable the requested permission for Cella. On-device speech recognition must be supported for the iPhone and current language. If it is not available, use Paste Text or another capture method. > **Good to know:** Voice capture stores the transcript as a vault item. Cella does not keep the recording as an audio-file attachment. ## Backup and Restore Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/settings/backup-restore/ Summary: Protect both vaults with automatic or manual encrypted backups and restore them when needed. ### Why backup matters Cella's working vault lives on your iPhone. Losing the device or deleting the app can remove local data, so keep backups somewhere that survives the device. Backups contain both vaults, their documents, the database, Smart Spaces, tags, and configured cloud-provider material in one encrypted file. Received shared-space documents, invitations, participant details, and live sharing credentials are excluded. Restoring a backup does not recreate an active share. Export an individual shared document if you need a separate copy. ### Use automatic backup Automatic backup is on by default. 1. Open **More > Settings > Backup and Restore**. 2. Leave **Automatic backup** on. 3. Tap **Backup folder**. 4. Tap **Change Folder** and choose a folder in iCloud Drive or another cloud-storage app. Cella checks for a changed, stale vault when the app enters or leaves the foreground. It does not run as an independent scheduled service while Cella is never opened. It keeps the three most recent automatic backups in the chosen destination. The **Last backup** row shows the most recent success or a failure message. > **Good to know:** The default folder is inside Cella's own storage. It is visible in Files under On My iPhone, but it is removed if you delete Cella and does not protect against losing the phone. An external folder is safer. ### Change or unlink the folder Under **Backup Folder**: - Tap **Change Folder** to choose or relink an external folder. - Tap **Use Default Folder** to stop using the external location. Existing files in the old folder are not deleted. If a linked folder cannot be reached, automatic backup pauses until you choose it again or return to the default folder. ### Save the automatic backup key Automatic backups use a generated key stored on this device only. 1. Tap **Backup key**. 2. Tap **Show Key**. 3. Authenticate with Face ID or the device passcode. 4. Tap **Copy Key** or **Share Key**. 5. Store it outside this iPhone, ideally in a password manager. If the app or phone is lost, the on-device key is also lost. Automatic backup files cannot be opened without the saved key. ### Create a manual encrypted backup 1. Tap **Backup**. 2. Enter and confirm a password of at least ten characters that mixes letters, numbers, and symbols. 3. Tap **Create Encrypted Backup**. 4. Use the iOS share sheet to save the resulting file. Keep the password separately. Cella cannot recover a forgotten backup password. ### Restore a backup 1. Tap **Restore**. 2. Tap **Choose Backup File** and select a Cella backup. 3. Enter the manual password or saved automatic backup key. 4. Tap **Restore Backup**. 5. Read the overwrite warning, then tap **Restore** to continue. Restore merges the backup into the current installation. Matching documents and files are overwritten by the backup versions. The action cannot be undone, so create a current backup first when practical. Restore requires a backup format compatible with the installed Cella version. ## App support and information Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/settings/diagnostics-help-about/ Summary: Control crash reporting, read help and legal information, contact support, and check the app version. ### Control crash reporting Under **Diagnostics**, use **Crash reporting** to turn technical reports on or off. Reports help diagnose crashes and processing failures. They do not include document contents, document names, or file paths. The setting takes effect immediately. ### Open the User Manual Under **Help & Support**, tap **User Manual**. Cella opens this manual in your browser. The app uses a stable website link so the manual can move without breaking the link in an installed version of Cella. ### Read common questions Under **Help & Support**, tap **Q&A**. Tap a question to expand its answer. Topics include vaults, classification, privacy, Smart Spaces, Needs Review, Ask AI, cloud providers, backup, and subscriptions. ### Read terms and privacy information Tap **Terms and Conditions** to read the in-app terms and privacy policy. The website also provides the current [Terms and Conditions](/terms) and [Privacy Policy](/privacy). ### Contact support 1. Tap **Contact**. 2. Tap **Email Support** to open a prepared email that includes the app version and basic device information. 3. If email cannot open, tap **Copy Email Address** and paste it into your preferred mail app. The support address is [info@cella-ai.com](mailto:info@cella-ai.com). ### Check the app version The **About** section shows the installed version and build number. Include this value when reporting a problem if it is not already in the prepared support email. > **Good to know:** The User Manual documents release features. Developer-only test, metrics, logging, and destructive debugging controls are intentionally not included. # Reference ## Help with plans and permissions Source: https://cella-ai.com/manual/reference/plans-permissions-troubleshooting/ Summary: Check feature availability, supported files, permissions, privacy notes, and common fixes. ### Plan availability All plans include capture, classification, search, key-detail extraction, per-document Ask AI, To Do, Spend, Timeline, heads-ups, Apple Intelligence, and the downloadable advanced on-device model when the device supports them. #### Free - up to 20 documents in each available vault - up to 2 custom Smart Spaces - 5 advanced-model and 10 Apple Intelligence vault-wide Ask AI questions per day, counted separately - no Private Vault or cloud providers #### Plus - up to 100 documents in each available vault - unlimited custom Smart Spaces - 10 advanced-model and 20 Apple Intelligence vault-wide Ask AI questions per day, counted separately - Private Vault - no cloud providers #### Max - unlimited documents - unlimited custom Smart Spaces and vault-wide Ask AI - Private Vault - bring-your-own-key cloud providers Plan limits can change in a future app release. Cella shows the active limit before blocking an action. A downgrade never deletes documents or spaces; it blocks new additions above the new limit and hides gated features until access returns. ### Supported capture types - **Files:** PDF, RTF, plain text, and DOCX - **Photos and Camera:** image formats supplied by iOS, including common JPEG, PNG, and HEIC images - **Share extension:** PDF, images, RTF, DOCX, and plain text - **Voice:** an on-device speech-recognition transcript - **Paste text:** typed or clipboard text Unsupported, password-locked, empty, damaged, or unreadable items may be skipped or may not become searchable. ### Permissions and requirements - **Photos** needs access to the images you select. - **Camera** needs camera permission and a physical camera. - **Voice** needs microphone and speech-recognition permission plus a supported on-device recognition language. - **Notifications** are needed for local due-date reminders. - **Face ID** is optional for Private Vault unlock and is required for forgotten-PIN recovery. - **Apple Intelligence** requires iOS 26 or later, eligible hardware, and Apple Intelligence enabled and ready. - **Advanced on-device models** require supported Apple Silicon hardware, free storage, an initial download, and enough device memory. - **Cloud providers**, App Store subscription loading, diagnostics, initial model downloads, and cloud-folder synchronization need a network connection. Core capture, local storage, search, and ready on-device AI can work offline. ### Privacy and data safety - Working documents are stored in Cella's local app container and protected by iOS Data Protection. - On-device engines keep document processing on the iPhone. - When you select a cloud provider for a vault, relevant document content is sent directly to that provider using your API key and its terms. - The Private Vault is a PIN-protected logical separation, not a separately encrypted database. - Crash reporting can be turned off under **Settings > Diagnostics** and does not include document names or contents. - Manual and automatic backup files are encrypted. You must retain the password or automatic backup key. AI classification, extraction, and answers are probabilistic. Check source documents before using Cella output for legal, financial, medical, safety, or other important decisions. ### Troubleshoot capture and processing #### Cella says Still processing Wait for the current capture job to finish. Open the progress card at the top of Home to see remaining documents. #### A document is missing labels or key details Open it from Needs Review or its list. Correct the available values, then use **Classify again** or **Retry** if shown. Confirm that the vault has an available AI engine. #### A document is not searchable The item may be unsupported, empty, locked, unreadable, or still indexing. Retry a real failure. For a scan or photo, recapture it in better light with readable text. #### The document already exists Choose **Replace** for an updated copy, **Keep Both** for two separate records, or **Cancel** to skip the new item. ### Troubleshoot AI engines #### No model is available Open **Settings > AI Engine** and tap **How to enable a model**. Enable Apple Intelligence in iPhone Settings or download an advanced on-device model. #### An advanced model is missing Open **Settings > AI Engine > Advanced On-Device Model**. Download it, relink its folder, or choose another installed engine. #### A cloud provider fails Open its provider row. Check the API key, endpoint, model ID, and network connection, then run **Test connection** again. Confirm the provider account can use the chosen model. #### Ask AI has no useful source Ask a narrower question, confirm the relevant document is indexed in the current vault, or open that document and use its document-specific Ask AI entry. ### Troubleshoot backup and security #### Automatic backup has not run Confirm **Automatic backup** is on, the linked folder is reachable, processing is finished, and enough storage is available. Automatic backup checks when Cella is used; it does not run while the app is never opened. #### A backup cannot be opened Use the exact password used for a manual backup or the saved automatic backup key. Cella cannot recover either secret. The backup must also be compatible with the installed app version. #### Face ID or voice permission was denied Open the iPhone Settings app, choose Cella, and enable the relevant permission. Return to Cella and try again. #### You forgot the Private Vault PIN After several incorrect attempts, tap **Forgot PIN?** and complete Face ID verification. If Face ID is unavailable, the PIN cannot be recovered through an erase shortcut. Contact [Cella support](mailto:info@cella-ai.com) for guidance.