Operations

A beginner-friendly path from first formula to practical workflows.

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Learn Run-Calc in four tiny wins

If this is your first calculator that works like a notepad, follow the steps below in order. Each step builds confidence, and each screenshot block is ready for your real app captures.

Visual Walkthrough

Type and press Enter

Write a simple expression and press Enter to get an instant inline result.

Example: 2 + 2 * 4 = 10

  • Great first check: try "+ 5", then change precision from the status bar.
  • Use Ctrl/Cmd + Enter if you only want to add a new line without calculating.

Store values in variables

Name important numbers once, then reuse them in later lines.

Example: subtotal = 89.5

  • Use plain names like taxRate or monthlyRent for readability.
  • Arrays are useful for grouped values: @bills = [45, 72, 18].

Process lists with pipelines

Use | to build readable steps like filter, map, and sum.

Example: bills | filter(# > 20) | sum

  • Think of | as "then do this" for data.
  • Inside filter/map, # is the current item in the list.

Ask AI for help

Start with ? to ask a question (like "What is 20% of 150?") , use ?? for a detailed explanation. IMPORTANT: you need to setup AI key before using this feature.

Example: ? Convert 6.5 feet to centimeters and show formula

  • AI can insert calculation lines you can review and rerun.
  • If your AI settings fail testing, use Revert changes to go back to last saved.

Operations Reference

  • Type a formula in plain text, for example: 2 + 2 * 4.
  • Press Enter to calculate the current line. Run-Calc adds the result inline: 2 + 2 * 4 = 10.
  • Start a new line with +, -, *, or / to continue from the previous result quickly.
  • Save values with variables so you can reuse them: total = 120 or @prices = [19, 35, 42].
  • Use | pipelines to process lists step-by-step: @prices | filter(# > 20) | sum.
  • Inside filter/map/each, # means the current item.
  • Need help from AI? Start a line with ? and write your request.
  • AI can return a number, an explanation, or ready-to-run calc lines. Numeric results are saved as ai0, ai1, and so on.
  • Configure AI in Settings -> AI. Changes are saved only after Test and Save succeeds.
  • Use " to add notes at the end of a line: total = price * qty " monthly subtotal.
  • Pressing Enter on an empty or comment-only line simply moves to the next line (or creates one at the end).
  • If a line is invalid, it is marked in red with a gutter ! so it is easy to spot and fix.
  • If you edit a line that already has = result, Run-Calc removes the old result so you can recalculate cleanly.
  • When a variable changes, dependent lines are visually marked as out-of-date until recalculated.
  • Status messages are written in plain language with practical examples for faster troubleshooting.

Copying results

  • Hover over any evaluated line to reveal a copy icon (⧉) next to the result.
  • Click the icon to copy the result value to the clipboard. The status bar confirms the copy.
  • Only numeric results are copyable — error lines do not show the icon.