Nova
A desktop assistant and browser activity monitor that combine local inference with cloud reasoning.
Cactus DeepMind Hackathon · 21 February 2026
Problem and Context
Everyday assistant tasks do not all need the same model. Nova explores handling routine requests locally while passing more complex work to a cloud model, using two interfaces for different parts of the working day.
Two Interfaces
The desktop version places a transparent Electron overlay above other windows. It supports voice interaction and tool execution for tasks such as music controls and timers, with MCP integrations for connected tools.
The browser extension captures activity events and shows a live feed of categories such as coding, social media, and productivity, alongside an assessment of productivity risk.
Routing and Architecture
- The desktop interface or Chrome extension sends input to a local Python service.
- A FastAPI backend coordinates the request and application state.
- FunctionGemma runs through Cactus to attempt local inference.
- The router uses model confidence to decide whether to use the local result or call Gemini.
- The interface displays the response, tool result, or activity analysis.
The desktop frontend uses Electron and React; the extension uses Manifest V3. The local setup targets Apple Silicon.