FAQ

Is there a hosted Mandala I can sign up for? No. Mandala is self-hosted only: you run it on a Mac, a home server or a VPS you control. That is what makes it yours. Choose where Mandala runs

Do I need to be a developer? Today, installing a server needs comfort with a terminal (Install on Linux); after that, a setup assistant asks your first name and Face ID. A downloadable Mac app and one-click VPS setup are Coming soon. Using Mandala needs no technical knowledge.

Which AI model should I use? Your best general model for conversation and a small fast one for triage. Mandala works with OpenAI (ChatGPT sign-in or API key), Anthropic (API key), Google Gemini (API key), xAI Grok (sign-in or key), DeepSeek, Kimi, Z.ai, Meta, and local models through Ollama. Choose a model

Can I use my Claude Pro or Max subscription? No. Anthropic does not allow Claude subscriptions to power other apps. Use an Anthropic API key.

Does my data go to the AI provider? What your accomplice reads to answer a request goes to the model provider you chose, under its terms. Nothing else does. With Ollama, nothing leaves your machine. Privacy, connection by connection

Can my accomplice send emails or pay on its own? Not unless you allow it. By default it asks before every action that changes something outside the conversation; you approve each one. Payments and deletions always keep their approval card. Approvals, What your accomplice may do alone

Is the accomplice called Alma? Alma is the name of the first accomplice, built for Mandala's creator. Yours is whoever you define: a plain assistant or an accomplice with its own name. Some screens still show "Alma" until personas land. Meet your accomplice

Can several people use one Mandala? Not yet: one person per home today. Invitations for colleagues and household members are Coming soon. Inviting people

Is WhatsApp safe to connect? It works through WhatsApp's unofficial multi-device protocol. WhatsApp can ban numbers using unofficial clients. Only link a number if you accept that risk. WhatsApp

Is there a password? No. Your account is your first name and Face ID (a passkey). Users and permissions

What happens if my server dies? Restore your latest backup on a new machine (Backups and restore). A second paired node also keeps a live copy (Pair two nodes).

What if I lose my devices and keys? Use another way back: your synced passkey, another device, your recovery kit, or people you trust. Settings → If you lose your devices shows how strong yours are. If every way back is lost, nobody can give the account back. Keys and recovery

Can I edit these docs? Yes: Docs is a normal vault. Pages you edit stop receiving updates, so prefer adding your own pages that link to the shipped ones. The Docs vault

Where do I write my business's rules? In DHL contracts, from the Workbench in Data, or by asking your accomplice to draft one with you. Tutorial: your first contract