Frequently Asked Questions

Chapeta is a native macOS AI app that gives you access to the best AI models, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more, from your Mac menu bar. It includes 9 real tools (terminal, files, web search, screenshots, and more) and 15 built-in skills. All conversations are stored locally on your Mac.

Download the DMG from here, open it, and drag Chapeta to your Applications folder. Launch it from the menu bar. The whole process takes under a minute.

Just your email. Sign in with a verification code - no password, no social logins. Takes seconds. Paid plans are managed through Paddle.

Chapeta requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. It runs on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

Chapeta offers the best models from 50+ providers, including GPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, Llama, Mistral, and many more. You can switch between them in two clicks.

Yes. Chapeta gives you access to models from OpenAI (GPT), Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), and dozens of other providers. All in one app, no need to juggle separate subscriptions.

Pro ($8/mo): All the best models, all tools and skills, monthly credit allowance.
BYOK ($29.99 one-time): All Pro features. Use your own OpenRouter API key and pay providers directly at their rates. Zero markup from Chapeta.

If your Pro credit allowance runs out mid-cycle, you can wait for it to reset at the start of your next billing period, or switch to the BYOK plan to use your own API key with no limits.

Open Chapeta, go to Settings, and choose the Pro plan. Checkout is handled by Paddle, our merchant of record. Pro costs $8/mo.

You can cancel anytime through the Paddle customer portal (linked in your purchase receipt email). Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period.

Invoices are emailed by Paddle after each payment. You can also access them through the Paddle customer portal.

Pro subscriptions are generally non-refundable but we consider refunds for duplicate purchases, persistent technical issues, and failed cancellations. BYOK refund requests must be submitted within 24 hours. See our full Refund Policy for details.

BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) is a $29.99 one-time purchase that unlocks all Pro features. Instead of using Chapeta credits, you provide your own OpenRouter API key and pay AI providers directly at their rates.

After purchasing BYOK, go to Settings in Chapeta and paste your OpenRouter API key. It's stored securely in macOS Keychain. You can get a key from openrouter.ai.

No. Chapeta applies zero markup. You pay exactly what OpenRouter and the underlying AI providers charge. Your API usage and billing relationship is directly with OpenRouter.

Yes. If you have both, your Pro credit allowance is used first. When it runs out, Chapeta falls back to your own API key automatically. You get the best of both worlds.

Conversations, custom skills, and settings are stored locally on your Mac. Chapeta does not provide cloud sync for this data.

No. Conversation content is not stored on Chapeta servers. When you send a message, it is routed through api.chapeta.net to OpenRouter and the AI provider, then back. Content is processed transiently in memory. We log operational metadata (model, token counts, cost) but not your prompts or responses.

Your prompts and AI responses pass through api.chapeta.net for routing to OpenRouter. This content is processed transiently and not stored. Operational metadata (model, token usage, cost, timestamps) is logged for billing and reliability. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Yes. BYOK API keys are stored in macOS Keychain, the system-level secure credential store. When sending requests, your key is transmitted as an authentication header over TLS. It is not stored on Chapeta servers.

Chapeta includes 9 tools: terminal commands, file read/write/edit, web search, screenshots, and more. These are real actions on your Mac, not just suggestions.

Chapeta provides 4 approval modes so you decide how much autonomy to give AI. You can require approval for every action, allow safe actions automatically, or run fully autonomous. You can also configure blocked commands, protected paths, and iteration limits. See Safety & Security for details.

Skills are reusable prompt templates with tool access. Think of them as one-click workflows: summarize a document, translate text, review code, or research a topic. Chapeta includes 15 built-in skills.

Yes. You can create custom skills with your own system prompts and tool configurations. Custom skills are stored locally on your Mac.

Check your internet connection first. If your connection is fine, try switching to a different AI model. The current provider may be experiencing issues. If the problem persists, contact support@chapeta.net.

Paddle webhooks can occasionally be delayed. Wait up to 5 minutes, then restart Chapeta. If your plan still hasn't activated, email support@chapeta.net with your Paddle transaction ID (found in your receipt email).

Currently, updates are manual. Download the latest version from chapeta.net/download and replace the existing app in your Applications folder.

Email support@chapeta.net. Include your app version (menu bar → About Chapeta) and a description of the issue. We aim to respond within 1 business day.