Support
Getting set up, what you need, and answers to the questions that come up most.
Getting started
1. Install
Download the DMG from the CodeHearth site, drag CodeHearth into your Applications folder, and open it. It's signed with our Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens like any other Mac app, with no scary warnings.
2. Open a project
Choose New Session (⌘N) or Open Project… (⌘O) and pick a folder. CodeHearth indexes the file tree and detects your git branch.
3. Choose a model
Open Settings → Models. Download an on-device model that suits your Mac, or expand Advanced to connect a model server. Then start chatting in the agent panel, review the diffs it proposes, and approve the changes you want.
Requirements
- A Mac with Apple Silicon (M-series).
- macOS 14 or later.
- Enough free memory and disk for the model you choose. CodeHearth flags models that are likely too large for your Mac before you download them.
Frequently asked
Is my code private?
Yes. With an on-device model, your code and prompts are processed entirely on your Mac and never sent anywhere. See the privacy page for the full picture.
What models can I run?
CodeHearth ships with a catalog of on-device coding models in a range of sizes, including vision-capable options that can read screenshots. It picks sensible defaults for your hardware and warns when a model may be too large.
Can I use my own model server?
Yes. Go to Settings → Models → Advanced, enter your server's address as host:port (for example 192.168.1.10:1234), add a token if your server needs one, and click Connect. CodeHearth works with any OpenAI-compatible local server, including Ollama and LM Studio.
My server is on another machine and won't connect.
Make sure the server is listening on your network rather than only localhost. For Ollama, for example, start it with OLLAMA_HOST=0.0.0.0 ollama serve on that machine, then use that machine's IP and port in CodeHearth.
How do approvals and safety work?
You stay in control of anything that changes your project. Read-only actions can be auto-approved, while edits and commands require your confirmation. You can also enable typed confirmation for destructive actions, or turn-by-turn mode to pause after each step. Adjust it all in Settings → Agent.
Where are my sessions stored?
Sessions are saved locally on your Mac in CodeHearth's application support folder. Reopen a past session from History and it restores with its full transcript and context.
Does CodeHearth need internet?
Not for everyday use with an on-device model. The internet is only used when you choose to download a model, or when you connect to a server that lives elsewhere on your network.
Is CodeHearth on the Mac App Store?
No. CodeHearth is a direct download from this site, signed with our Developer ID and notarized by Apple. A tool that works with your real files and runs commands can't live inside the App Store's sandbox, so direct distribution is the right home for it. You still get Apple's notarization check on first launch, so it opens cleanly.
Still need a hand?
Email us at toolsareus@pm.me and we'll help you out.
Please include your macOS version, your Mac model, and the model you were using. It helps us get you a faster answer.