Getting Started with AIcv: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

What Is AIcv?

AIcv is a privacy-first, zero-backend AI tool that tailors your CV and cover letter to any job description — right in your browser. No account, no data upload to our servers, no subscription. You bring your own API key from OpenAI, Google Gemini, or Anthropic Claude, and the rest happens locally.

This guide walks you through every step, from getting your API key to downloading your final documents.

What You Need Before You Start

You only need two things:

1. An API key from OpenAI, Google Gemini, or Anthropic Claude. Don't have one? Read our guide on how to get a free AI API key.

2. Your current CV or resume in DOCX, TXT, or Markdown format. This becomes your "seed" document — the foundation every tailored version builds on.

That's it. No signup, no credit card, no installation.

Step 1: Open AIcv and Add Your API Key

Navigate to the AIcv app. You'll land on the Settings page. Here's what to do:

1. Select your AI provider from the dropdown (Gemini, OpenAI, or Claude).

2. Paste your API key into the field.

3. The key is encrypted and stored only in your browser's local storage — it never touches our servers.

> Tip: Google Gemini offers a generous free tier that can cover hundreds of CV generations. It's the best place to start if you're new to API keys.

Want to explore before committing a key? Try the demo mode to see the full workflow risk-free.

Step 2: Upload Your CV Seed

With your API key configured, upload your master CV. This document serves as the seed that AIcv uses as the reference for every tailored version.

In Settings, you can also configure:

• CV Seed: Upload or swap your base document anytime.
• Profiles: Save multiple configurations (e.g., "Software Engineer" vs "Product Manager") so you can switch contexts without re-entering data.
• Privacy Options: Clear your session data or export your records with one click.

Everything stays in your browser. You're always in control.

Step 3: Generate Your CV — Section by Section

This is where AIcv really shines. Instead of generating an entire CV in one black-box shot, the tool walks you through section-by-section generation — you approve each part before moving to the next.

1. Professional Summary

Paste the job description and let AIcv tailor your summary to highlight exactly what the employer wants. The AI extracts keywords from the JD and rewrites your opening statement to match.

2. Work Experience

Your bullet points are rephrased to emphasize the accomplishments most relevant to the role. The AI preserves your actual experience while making it speak directly to the job posting.

3. Education

Adjust how your academic background is presented based on the role's requirements — highlight relevant coursework, drop less relevant details, or reorder credentials.

4. Skills

AIcv automatically surfaces the most relevant skills from your seed CV that match the job posting and reorders them by relevance.

You review and approve each section before moving to the next. This gives you complete control over the final output.

Step 4: Generate Your Cover Letter

After you've approved all four CV sections, AIcv generates a single tailored cover letter based on the approved content and the job description. Because the cover letter is created after the CV is finalized, it references the same accomplishments, skills, and phrasing — creating a cohesive application package.

Step 5: Download and Apply

Download your documents in DOCX, MD, or TXT format — whichever the job portal prefers. PDF is intentionally unsupported because most ATS systems parse DOCX and TXT more reliably.

Step 6: Track Applications with Records

Every application is automatically saved to your Records page, where you can:

• Search by company name or job title
• Filter by date, status, or role
• Sort by any column
• Export your entire history as a CSV file

This makes it easy to keep track of which CV version you sent to each employer.

Pro Tips for Best Results

• Use a detailed seed CV: The more content your master CV contains, the better the AI can tailor it.
• Paste the full job description: Include responsibilities, qualifications, and nice-to-haves — every detail helps.
• Review each section: The section-by-section flow lets you catch and fix issues before the cover letter is generated.
• Try different AI providers: Switch between Gemini, GPT, and Claude in Settings to see which produces output you like best. Read our Gemini vs GPT vs Claude comparison for guidance.

Ready to Build Your First Tailored CV?

Open AIcv now — no signup, no servers, no compromise.