Testing Open Source Cluely (That help you cheat on everything with AI)

Curious about Cluely, the AI tool that’s got everyone buzzing for its sneaky real-time assistance? This open-source gem claims to “help you cheat on everything” by whispering answers during interviews, calls, or even exams. I set up the open-source version in ~20 minutes, and it’s wild—though ethically dicey! In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to install Cluely from GitHub, test it with a mock interview, and explore its AI magic. Buckle up, but let’s talk ethics too—Cluely’s power comes with responsibility.

What is Cluely? The AI That Sees All

Cluely is an AI-powered desktop app that monitors your screen and audio, delivering context-aware answers in real time via a hidden overlay. Marketed as an “undetectable” assistant for interviews, sales calls, or even exams, it’s built for deception, sparking heated debate. Here’s the scoop on Cluely:

• Real-Time Help: Reads your screen, listens to audio, and suggests responses.
• Invisible Interface: Stays hidden during screen shares on Zoom or Teams.
• Open-Source Option: Free to customize via GitHub, unlike the paid app at cluely.com.
• Controversial: Critics call it a “cheating tool” that erodes trust in hiring and education.

Online users hype Cluely as a game-changer for interviews, but its “cheat on everything” tagline raises red flags. Want to test it? Let’s dive in

Why Test Open-Source Cluely?

The open-source Cluely (from github.com/Prat011/free-cluely) lets you tinker with its code for free, unlike the official app’s subscription. Benefits include:

• Customization: Add features or tweak AI models.
• No Cost: Perfect for experimenting without a paid plan.
• Learning Opportunity: Understand AI-driven assistants hands-on.
• Ethics Check: Test in safe scenarios to gauge its impact.

I tried it for a mock interview, and it was scarily good—but use it wisely, folks!

How to Install and Test Open-Source Cluely: Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to test Cluely? We’ll install the open-source version from GitHub and run a mock interview to see it in action. You’ll need Node.js (≥18), npm or yarn, and a Google Gemini API key. Let’s go!

1. Prerequisites

• Node.js: Install from nodejs.org (I used v20). Verify:

node --version
npm --version

• Git: For cloning the repo:

git --version

Install via sudo apt install git (Ubuntu) or equivalent.

• Google Gemini API Key: Sign up at aistudio.google.com, create a project, and generate an API key.
• System: Windows, macOS, or Linux. I tested on Windows.

2. Clone the Cluely Repository

Open your terminal and clone the open-source Cluely:

git clone https://github.com/Prat011/free-cluely.git
cd free-cluely

This downloads the source code (~10 MB, took a few seconds).

3. Set Up Environment Variables

Create a .env file in the project root:

touch .env

Edit it (e.g., with nano .env) and add your API key:

GEMINI_API_KEY=your_google_gemini_api_key_here

Save and exit. This connects Cluely to Google Gemini for AI responses.

4. Install Dependencies

Install Node.js packages:

npm install

Or with yarn:

yarn install

5. Run the Cluely App

Start the development server on port 5180:

npm run dev --port 5180

Or:

yarn run dev --port 5180

Open a new terminal and launch the Electron app:

• Linux/macOS:

NODE_ENV=development npm run electron:dev

• Windows PowerShell:

$env:NODE_ENV = 'development'; npm run electron:dev

Cluely opens at http://localhost:5180 and launches a desktop window. Grant screen/audio permissions when prompted. It’s stealthy—screenshots won’t show Cluely’s overlay

6. Test Cluely with a Mock Interview

Let’s see Cluely shine (or cringe) in a mock data scientist interview using ChatGPT’s desktop app as the interviewer. Here’s how:

Set Up ChatGPT Interview:

• Open ChatGPT Desktop (download from openai.com).
• Use this prompt to configure a tough interview:

I'm applying for a position as a Data Scientist, and I want you to play the role of the job interviewer. Press me about my CV because you doubt my ability. Ask tough questions, and the interview will begin when I say "start Interview." Understand?

• Customize for your field (e.g., software engineer, sales).

Run Cluely in Voice Mode:

• With Cluely running, enable voice mode in its settings (check the UI for a mic toggle).
• Start the interview by saying “start Interview” in ChatGPT.
• As ChatGPT fires questions (e.g., “Explain your PCA project”), Cluely listens to audio and scans your screen, suggesting answers in its hidden overlay.

Example:

• Question 1: “I see from your CV that you have experience in machine learning and neural networks. However, looking at your work history, it seems that you don't have a lot of hands-on experience with large datasets or real-time systems, which are crucial in data science roles. Can you explain how you would handle and process massive datasets, for example, those in the terabyte range? How would you optimize your workflows to make them scalable and efficient for production systems?”
• Cluely’s Response:

• Question 2: "That’s a solid approach, and it shows you have a grasp of distributed systems and data management. But let’s dig a little deeper. When working with Hadoop or Spark, handling failures and data consistency can become tricky, especially in a large-scale environment. How would you ensure that your distributed processing job remains resilient, even when nodes fail or there are data inconsistencies? How do you handle fault tolerance and ensure the integrity of the data during processing in such systems?"
• Cluely’s Response:

• I parroted Cluely’s suggestion, and ChatGPT was impressed!

Note: Cluely stays invisible during screen shares, so it’s undetectable in Zoom or Teams. I tested with my phone’s camera, as screenshots hide Cluely.

It felt like having a secret coach—super helpful, but kinda shady!

Summary:

Troubleshooting Cluely Issues

• Port 5180 Conflict: Check processes:

lsof -i :5180
kill [PID]

Or change the port in npm run dev --port 5181.

• API Key Error: Verify your Gemini API key in .env and ensure it’s active in aistudio.google.com.
• App Doesn’t Open: Ensure Node.js and dependencies installed correctly. Run npm install again.
• No Suggestions: Grant screen/audio permissions and check voice mode is enabled.
• Need Help? Check github.com/Prat011/free-cluely or X for community tips.

Ethics and Risks of Using Cluely

Cluely’s power is undeniable, but it’s a double-edged sword. Its “cheat on everything” vibe has sparked backlash:

• Ethical Concerns: Using Cluely in real interviews or exams misrepresents your skills, eroding trust.
• Detection Risks: Tools like Validia’s Truely can flag Cluely’s processes, risking job offers or academic penalties.
• Legal Gray Area: Misrepresentation in professional settings could violate contracts or policies.
• Reputation: Getting caught could tank your career—Columbia expelled Cluely’s founder for similar antics.

Test Cluely in mock scenarios, not high-stakes settings. Users warn: “The future of lying” comes at a cost.

Customizing and Extending Cluely

Level up your Cluely setup:

• Swap LLMs: Edit code to use OpenAI, Anthropic, or local models like Llama 3.2.
• UI Tweaks: Modify the overlay’s position or style in the Electron app’s CSS.
• Features: Add custom prompts or integrate with CRMs.
• Contribute: Submit PRs to github.com/Prat011/free-cluely—the maintainer welcomes them

I tweaked the overlay to be less intrusive—felt like a hacker!

Why Cluely is a Controversial AI Powerhouse

Open-source Cluely is a fascinating (and scary) glimpse into AI’s potential to augment—or deceive. Its stealthy design outshines basic chatbots, but the ethical minefield is real. Compared to paid Cluely (cluely.com), the open-source version offers freedom to experiment safely. The repo’s maintainer is inactive, so rely on community PRs for updates.

Ready to test Cluely? Spin it up, try that mock interview, and share your thoughts—but keep it ethical, folks!