Guide 7 steps ~20 min setup Free tools

Perfect Desktop Setup for AI Research

Get four AI models pinned and ready in one browser window — plus a save-as-you-go notepad. Once set up, your AI workspace opens in one click every morning.

Start the setup guide
Arc browser required (free) Works on Mac and Windows Free accounts for all 4 AI tools
Arc
Arc browser
Your workspace hub
Cl
Claude
Primary AI · Anthropic
GP
ChatGPT
OpenAI
Ge
Gemini
Google
Gr
Grok
xAI
Nt
Notepad / TextEdit
Save your work
1 Arc browser · 2 Claude · 3 ChatGPT · 4 Gemini · 5 Grok · 6 Notepad · 7 All done
Step 1 of 7 — Browser Setup
Download and set up Arc browser

Arc is a modern browser built for focus. It lets you pin all four AI model tabs permanently on the left side so they are always one click away — no hunting through windows.

ℹ️ Arc is free at arc.net. Takes about 3 minutes to install. No payment required.
Installation steps
  1. Go to arc.net and click Download Arc
  2. Open the downloaded file and drag Arc into Applications (Mac) or run the installer (Windows)
  3. Open Arc — it will ask to be your default browser (you can say No for now)
  4. Create a free Arc account with your email address when prompted
Pinned tabs
Spaces
Split view
Command bar
Step 2 of 7 — Primary AI
Set up Claude (Anthropic)

Claude is your primary AI for deep research, medical topics, document drafting, and nuanced questions. It reads long documents and reasons carefully.

ℹ️ Free account available at claude.ai. Claude Pro ($20/mo) is recommended for regular users who need more responses per day.
Setup steps
  1. In Arc, go to claude.ai
  2. Click Sign up — use your email address
  3. Verify your email, then sign in to your new account
  4. Right-click the tab in Arc's left sidebar → Pin tab
  5. Rename the pin: right-click → Rename → type Claude
Medical research
Long documents
Writing help
Step-by-step answers
Step 3 of 7 — OpenAI
Set up ChatGPT (OpenAI)

ChatGPT is the most widely known AI. Great for quick everyday questions, creative ideas, and image generation. A strong second opinion alongside Claude.

ℹ️ Free tier available. ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo) adds image generation, voice mode, and the latest GPT-4o model.
Setup steps
  1. In Arc, go to chatgpt.com
  2. Click Sign up — you can use your Google account to skip extra steps
  3. Complete sign-up and land on the chat screen
  4. Right-click the tab → Pin tab in Arc's left sidebar
  5. Rename the pin → ChatGPT
Quick Q&A
Image creation
Voice conversations
Second opinion
Step 4 of 7 — Google
Set up Gemini (Google)

Gemini is Google's AI — connected to Search, Maps, Gmail, and YouTube. If you already use Google, this is the easiest AI to start with because you already have an account.

ℹ️ Free with any Google account. Gemini Advanced ($19.99/mo) adds Gmail and Docs integration for deeper research workflows.
Setup steps
  1. In Arc, go to gemini.google.com
  2. Sign in with your existing Google / Gmail account
  3. Accept the terms to reach the Gemini chat screen
  4. Right-click the tab → Pin tab
  5. Rename the pin → Gemini
Current news
Travel planning
Gmail summary
YouTube research
Step 5 of 7 — xAI
Set up Grok (xAI)

Grok is built by xAI and is the best AI for real-time social media news and trending topics. It has a direct, casual tone and can generate images too.

⚠️ Grok requires an X (Twitter) account, OR you can sign up separately at grok.com with just an email address.
Setup steps
  1. In Arc, go to grok.com
  2. Sign in with your X account, or click Create account to sign up with email
  3. You will land directly in the Grok chat interface
  4. Right-click the tab → Pin tab
  5. Rename the pin → Grok
Breaking news
Casual tone
Image generation
Third opinion
Step 6 of 7 — Save Your Work
Set up your save-as-you-go notepad

Always have a plain-text notepad open alongside your AI tabs. Use it to paste and save good answers before they scroll away — AI chats can disappear.

💡 AI chats do not save permanently on free plans. Copy anything worth keeping into your notepad right away — before you close the tab.
Notepad — Windows
  1. Press the Windows key, type Notepad, press Enter
  2. Right-click in the taskbar → Pin to taskbar
  3. Create a folder: Documents → AI Research
  4. Save sessions as dated files: 2026-03-15-health.txt
TextEdit — Mac
  1. Finder → Applications → TextEdit
  2. TextEdit → Settings → Format → Plain Text
  3. Drag TextEdit to your Dock
  4. Save with Cmd+S using a dated filename
Save good answers
Save your prompts
Save links
Write questions in advance
Step 7 of 7 — Complete!
Your AI workspace is ready 🎉

You now have four AI models pinned in Arc and a notepad ready. Here is how your daily research session should flow from now on.

🌅 Daily workflow: Open Arc → all 4 AI tabs are waiting → open Notepad alongside → start with Claude → cross-check with ChatGPT or Gemini → save good answers immediately.
Your pinned tab order in Arc
Arc
Arc browser — always-on
Cl
Claude — claude.ai Primary
GP
ChatGPT — chatgpt.com
Ge
Gemini — gemini.google.com
Gr
Grok — grok.com
Nt
Notepad / TextEdit — taskbar