LIMA AI NVDA Add-on¶
LIMA AI is an open-source NVDA add-on that brings on-demand AI screen description to NVDA users. It is a light companion to the LIMA Screen Reader: it installs into NVDA and extends the NVDA experience with the same LIMA AI that powers the desktop app.
You control it from the keyboard with two NVDA gestures — no mouse required. The default gestures use the NVDA+Alt layer, so they never override a built-in NVDA command.
What it does¶
- Describe the screen — press
NVDA+Alt+Dand NVDA speaks a brief, factual description of the active monitor: the main elements and any important visible text. - Dynamic web narration — press
NVDA+Alt+Wand the add-on briefly announces meaningful changes on the browser page you are reading, without interrupting your reading or repeating itself. - Sign in with Google — sign in once from NVDA's settings panel; the session is remembered, so you don't have to sign in again at every launch.
- Speak in your language — descriptions are spoken in the reply language of your choice (English or Tagalog), with a matching voice where one is available.
What you need¶
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Windows | With NVDA 2023.1 or later installed |
| Internet connection | Required for the AI features |
| Google account | Used to sign in — no separate password to create |
LIMA AI and the LIMA Screen Reader¶
LIMA AI focuses on quick, on-demand answers while you work in NVDA. The LIMA Screen Reader is the full product — continuous narration, voice control, and computer automation.
| LIMA AI add-on | LIMA Screen Reader | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Describes your screen on demand and narrates web changes | Reads, understands, and controls your whole computer |
| Where it runs | Inside NVDA | Windows desktop app |
| How you control it | Keyboard (NVDA gestures) | Voice and keyboard |
| Best for | Quick answers while you work in NVDA | Full hands-free computer use |
| Getting it | NVDA Add-on Store | roscommon.systems/lima |
The two work well together: keep the add-on installed for quick questions inside NVDA, and use the desktop app when you want the complete AI experience.
How the add-on works¶
Sign-in uses Google OAuth and Firebase under the hood, and every AI call goes through the LIMA backend proxy, so no API key or provider secret ever lives in the add-on. Screenshots leave your device only when you trigger a feature, and they travel under a Zero Data Retention policy.
Sign in once, stay signed in
Sign in from NVDA menu → Preferences → Settings → LIMA AI → Sign in with Google. Your session is refreshed automatically, so you don't have to repeat the sign-in.