How to install and set up Ostella
Ostella runs as an add-on inside Anki. Setup downloads a private environment into its own folder. It does not touch your system Python and needs no API keys.
System requirements
- Anki: Anki 25.02 or newer.
- Operating system: Windows 10/11 or macOS (Apple Silicon recommended for local voice dictation).
- Disk space: About 400 MB of free disk space for the isolated runtime and search models.
- Deck: Your Anki collection (optimized for the AnKing Overhaul deck, Step 1 and Step 2).
- Connection: An internet connection for setup and AI features.
Before you start: what Ostella is not
- A study aid, not medical advice. It is not a medical device, diagnostic tool or clinical reference, and does not replace your curriculum.
- The AI can be wrong. Check anything that matters against primary guidelines.
- Not for patient care. Never enter patient names, record numbers, dates of birth or other identifiable health information.
Step-by-step setup
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Install the add-on in Anki
Option A: AnkiWeb (recommended)
In Anki, navigate to
Tools > Add-ons > Get Add-ons..., paste the code below, and click OK:593794751You can also view the add-on on AnkiWeb.
Option B: Install from file (.ankiaddon)
To install from a file instead, download the package and choose
Tools > Add-ons > Install from file...in Anki:Download ostella-2.0.0.ankiaddon
Important: after installing, quit Anki completely and reopen it so the add-on loads.
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Automatic first-time setup
Open Anki and click Ostella in the top menu bar, or press
Ctrl+Shift+T.Click Set up Ostella. The add-on downloads a private runtime (~300 MB) into its own folder and changes nothing else. Keep Anki open until it finishes (typically 2 to 5 minutes).
When setup completes, read and accept the short data and privacy notice.
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Free starter credits & beta access codes
Every new install starts with 10 free credits (1,000 credits = $8 of AI usage). No credit card or access code is needed; Ostella claims them on first use.
If the developer gave you a beta access code, open Account and setup in the left sidebar and enter it for a larger allowance (for example, 200 credits). Do not share your code.
Local deck search, card browsing and the progress view spend no credits.
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Build your local search index
In the Account and setup panel, click Build my search index.
Ostella downloads a small search model (~55 MB) and indexes your cards once, so it can find them by meaning as well as keywords. This runs on your computer and takes a few minutes for a large deck like AnKing.
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Optional: Browser side panel (Chrome & Edge)
Use Ostella beside question banks and lecture PDFs in Chrome or Edge.
Currently an unpacked developer extension; a Chrome Web Store listing is planned.
- Download the extension archive: Download ostella-panel-2.0.0.zip
- Unzip the archive into a permanent folder (for example, Documents).
- In Chrome, navigate to
chrome://extensions(in Edge:edge://extensions). - Turn on Developer mode (toggle in the upper-right corner).
- Click Load unpacked and select the unzipped
ostella-panelfolder. - Pin the extension icon to your toolbar, click it, and paste the pairing code from Ostella > Account and setup > Ostella in Chrome or Edge.
Shortcuts:
Alt+Shift+Oopens the browser panel;Alt+Shift+Pattaches the active webpage or question stem to Ostella. Anki must be open.On Windows, outside the browser,
F8captures the foreground window and attaches it to chat;Shift+F8captures a region you drag-select.
Troubleshooting
Setup stalls or download hangs
Close Anki completely, open it again, and click Set up Ostella once more to resume.
"Not signed in" or "Code already used"
Beta codes have a limited number of activations. If yours is used up or you need a replacement, send a message through the contact page.
Diagnostics log
If you hit an error, open Account and setup, click Copy diagnostics, and paste the copied log into a message on the contact page.