Questions people ask
Short answers about sending, privacy, the AI, WhatsApp, computers and connected systems, with a link to the full page.
Does ChatPilot send messages by itself?
No. Every reply is a draft until you press Send. The exceptions are the ones you switch on yourself: an away message rule, auto-answer in one chat, and a scheduled report you let send by itself. Auto-answer says it's an AI assistant, marks its messages, has a daily limit, pauses when you write and reports everything it sent. See Switch on auto-answer.
Do my messages leave my computer?
Chats set to Saved, no AI stay on your computer. Chats set to ChatPilot can read this go to the AI you chose when they need sorting, a draft or a summary. Chats set to Only the AI on this computer only go to a model on your own computer. Chats that are Off aren't read at all. See Choose which chats ChatPilot may read.
Which AI does it use? Do I need Claude?
No. Claude through Claude Code is the default, but you can pick another service with your own key, a sign-in program such as the Codex CLI or the Gemini CLI, or a model on your own computer. The AI's maker bills you for its use (or it runs on the subscription you already have); a local model costs nothing but is slower. See Choose the AI.
Is it safe to link WhatsApp?
WhatsApp has no official way for apps to use a personal account, so ChatPilot links as a device, the way WhatsApp Web does. It never shows you as online or typing, sends no read receipts unless you switch that on, and never sends to many chats at once. WhatsApp may still restrict numbers it thinks are automated: the risk is small, but not zero. See Link WhatsApp.
Which apps and computers does it work with?
WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, e-mail (Gmail, iCloud, Outlook or any IMAP mailbox) and, on a Mac, iMessage and SMS. It runs on macOS, Windows and Linux, including a server or Docker. See Install ChatPilot.
Does my computer have to stay on?
ChatPilot sorts, drafts and alerts while it runs. For around the clock, run it on a computer that stays on, or on a server. Your phone reaches the panel through the phone link and the Telegram bot works anywhere: see On your phone.
What happens when I switch a chat off?
ChatPilot stops reading it and deletes what it kept of it: messages and media. It tells you how many messages that is and asks first.
Can the AI change anything in my systems?
No. The AI only reads: the folders you allow and the read-only tools of systems you connect. Actions, such as creating a lead or filing a ticket, are shown on a card and only run when you press Run. See Actions in connected systems.
Where is my data kept, and how do I move to a new computer?
On your own computer; logins and keys in its secret store. Make a backup and restore it on the new computer: see Backups.
How do I stop everything at once?
Automation → Rules & auto-answer → Autonomy → Off everywhere, or send /autopilot off to your Telegram bot.
How do I reach you?
In the panel, Settings → Help: report a problem, or mail devs@chat-pilot.ai. See Report a problem.
Checked against ChatPilot 0.1.0b1. Report a problem with this page