Glossary of Terms¶

This page explains all the terminology used in Recall in plain, simple language. If you encounter an unfamiliar term, look it up here.

A¶

AI (Artificial Intelligence)¶

Computer software that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, like understanding language or recognizing patterns. In Recall, AI helps you search documents and write text.

AI Model¶

A specific AI program trained to do a particular task. Think of it like hiring different specialists — one model is good at finding similar content, another is good at writing. Recall includes several models for different purposes.

Apple Events¶

A technology built into macOS that allows apps to communicate with each other. Recall uses Apple Events to send text to Microsoft Word. You don't need to understand how it works — just know that choosing "Apple Events" mode is the simpler option for Word integration.

Apple Silicon¶

The type of processor (computer chip) in newer Mac computers (M1, M2, M3, M4 chips). These Macs run Recall's AI features faster and more efficiently than older Intel Macs.

B¶

Block Quote¶

A quotation that's formatted separately from the main text — usually indented and sometimes in a different font. Used for longer quotes (typically 50+ words in legal writing).

Bluebook¶

"The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation" — the standard guide for legal citation format in the United States. When Recall is "Bluebook-aware," it means it understands and follows these citation rules.

Bundled¶

Software or files that come pre-installed with an application. "Bundled models" in Recall are AI models that are already included — you don't need to download them separately.

C¶

Certificate (Security Certificate)¶

A digital file that proves a connection is secure and trustworthy. The "Advanced" Word integration mode requires you to trust a certificate. If you choose the "Recommended" mode, you don't need to worry about certificates.

Citation¶

A reference to a legal authority (like a court case, statute, or article) that tells readers where information came from. Example: Smith v. Jones, 123 F.3d 456 (9^th Cir. 2020)

Citation Style¶

The format used for writing citations. Recall supports two main styles: - Federal style: Used in federal courts and most jurisdictions - California style: California's specific citation format

Clerk¶

Recall's AI writing assistant. It can help you edit text, generate outlines, draft content, and answer questions about your documents.

Corpus¶

A large collection of documents. In Recall, the "backend corpus" is an optional knowledge base that can supplement your own documents.

D¶

Dock¶

The row of app icons at the bottom (or side) of your Mac screen. You can click icons in the Dock to open applications.

Document Viewer¶

The part of Recall that displays PDF documents. When you click on a document or search result, it shows the content here.

Drag and Drop¶

A way to move files using your mouse: click on a file, hold the mouse button down, move the mouse to a new location, then release the button. This is how you can add documents to Recall.

E¶

Embedder / Embedding Model¶

An AI model that converts text into numerical codes (called "embeddings") that capture the meaning of the text. This is what powers semantic search — documents with similar meanings have similar numerical codes.

Excerpt¶

A selected portion of text from a larger document. When you pin something in Recall, you're saving an excerpt.

F¶

Finder¶

The app on your Mac that shows files and folders. It has a blue smiling face icon. You use Finder to browse your computer's files.

Full Citation¶

A complete citation that includes all required information: case name, volume, reporter, page, court, and year. Example: Smith v. Jones, 123 F.3d 456 (9^th Cir. 2020)

G¶

Generation Model / Generator¶

An AI model that creates new text. In Recall, the generator is what powers Clerk's ability to write drafts, edit text, and answer questions.

GGUF¶

A file format for AI models. If you want to use custom AI models (advanced feature), they need to be in GGUF format. Most users never need to worry about this.

I¶

Id. Citation¶

A shortened citation meaning "the same source." When you cite the same case multiple times in a row, you can use "Id." instead of repeating the full citation. Recall understands and tracks Id. citations.

Index / Indexing¶

The process of analyzing a document so it can be searched. When you add a document to Recall, it "indexes" the text — reading through it and creating a searchable catalog. A document must be fully indexed before it appears in search results.

Inline Quote¶

A quotation that appears within a paragraph, surrounded by quotation marks, rather than set apart as a block quote.

J¶

Jurisdiction¶

The geographic area or court system where a legal matter takes place. Examples: "Federal — 9^th Circuit" or "California State Court."

K¶

Keyboard Shortcut¶

A combination of keys you press together to perform an action quickly. Example: Cmd+B (hold Command and press B) makes text bold.

Keychain Access¶

An app on your Mac that securely stores passwords and certificates. If you use Advanced Word integration, you might need to use Keychain Access to trust the security certificate.

L¶

The panel on the left side of the Recall window that shows your list of Matters. You click on a Matter here to select it.

M¶

macOS¶

The operating system that runs on Mac computers. Recall only works on macOS.

Matter¶

A container in Recall for organizing work on a single case, project, or research topic. Each Matter has its own documents, pins, notes, and settings. Think of it like a filing cabinet drawer for one case.

The strip at the very top of your Mac's screen that shows menus like File, Edit, View, etc. Clicking on these words opens dropdown menus with more options.

Metadata¶

Information about a document (as opposed to the document's content). For legal cases, metadata includes the case name, court, date, volume, reporter, and page number.

Metal¶

Apple's technology that allows software to use the Mac's graphics chip for calculations. Recall uses Metal to run AI models faster on Apple Silicon Macs.

N¶

Moving around within an app. In Recall, you navigate by clicking on Matters, switching between modes, and clicking search results.

O¶

Offline¶

Working without an internet connection. Recall works offline — after initial setup, you don't need internet to use it.

P¶

Pane¶

A section of a window. Recall's Write mode has three panes: left (Pins), center (Editor), and right (Clerk/Notes). You can resize panes by dragging the dividers between them.

Parenthetical¶

In legal writing, a brief explanation in parentheses after a citation that describes what the cited case says. Example: Smith v. Jones, 123 F.3d 456 (9^th Cir. 2020) (holding that consent must be voluntary)

Passim¶

A Latin term meaning "throughout" or "here and there." In a Table of Authorities, "passim" is used instead of listing many page numbers when an authority is cited frequently throughout the document.

PDF¶

Portable Document Format — a file type for documents that preserves formatting. Most legal documents you download (cases from Westlaw, briefs, etc.) are PDFs. Recall only works with PDF files.

Pin¶

A saved excerpt from your research. Pins store the text, source document, page number, and your notes. Think of pins like bookmarks with context.

Practice Area¶

A category of legal work, such as Contract Law, Family Law, Criminal Defense, or Intellectual Property.

Q¶

Query¶

What you type into a search bar. Your search query is the question or terms you're looking for.

Query Expansion¶

An optional feature where Recall's AI generates alternative versions of your search query to find more relevant results.

R¶

Reranking¶

An optional feature that uses AI to re-order search results, putting the most relevant ones at the top.

Reporter¶

A series of published court opinions. Examples: F.3d (Federal Reporter, Third Series), Cal.App.5^th (California Appellate Reports, Fifth Series).

Research Mode¶

One of Recall's two main modes. In Research mode, you search documents, view PDFs, and pin excerpts.

S¶

Semantic Search¶

AI-powered search that understands meaning, not just exact words. If you search for "failure to exercise reasonable care," semantic search can find passages about "negligence" even without that exact word.

Setup Wizard¶

A series of screens that appears when you first open Recall. It guides you through initial configuration.

Short Form Citation¶

An abbreviated citation used after you've given the full citation. Example: Smith, 123 F.3d at 460

A panel along the side of a window. Recall's left sidebar shows your Matters.

Snapshot (Version Snapshot)¶

A saved copy of your document at a specific point in time. Recall lets you create snapshots so you can go back to earlier versions.

Status Bar¶

The bar at the bottom of the Recall window that shows the current state of various features (Word connection, indexing progress, AI model status).

Supra Citation¶

A citation that refers back to an earlier citation in the same document. Example: Smith, supra, at 460

T¶

Table of Authorities (TOA)¶

A list at the beginning of a legal brief that shows all the cases, statutes, and other sources cited in the document, with page numbers. Recall can generate this automatically.

Text Indexing¶

The process of making document text searchable by keywords. This happens quickly when you add a document.

Toggle¶

A switch that flips between two options. Recall has a toggle in the toolbar to switch between Write and Research modes.

The strip of buttons at the top of the Recall window (below the menu bar) with common actions and controls.

V¶

Version Control¶

The ability to save and restore different versions of a document. Recall automatically saves your work and lets you create named versions (like "Draft 1," "Final").

W¶

Word Add-in¶

A small program that extends Microsoft Word's features. Recall's "Advanced" Word integration mode installs an add-in. Most users don't need this — the "Recommended" mode works without it.

Word Integration¶

The connection between Recall and Microsoft Word that allows you to insert text directly into Word documents.

Write Mode¶

One of Recall's two main modes. In Write mode, you edit documents, use Clerk AI, and manage your pins.

Numbers & Symbols¶

~ (Tilde)¶

When you see paths like ~/Library/..., the tilde (~) means your home folder — the main folder for your user account on the Mac.

Cmd (Command)¶

The Command key on your Mac keyboard — it has a ⌘ symbol. Used in keyboard shortcuts like Cmd+C (copy) and Cmd+V (paste).

Can't find a term?

If you encountered a word that's not in this glossary, it might be a general computer or legal term. Try searching the web for "what is [term] in [context]" — for example, "what is a PDF file" or "what is a motion in legal terms."