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Frequently asked questions
How do I bypass the Windows or Mac trust warning?
First, make sure you downloaded Chronicle from the official Chronicle GitHub Releases page and that the filename and version match the release. On Windows, select More info → Run anyway. On macOS, try to open Chronicle once, then go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway. Follow the full Windows guide or Mac guide. Stop if the computer reports malware, says the app will damage your computer, or the file came from another source.
Which computers are supported?
Chronicle currently publishes Windows x64 and macOS Apple Silicon builds. The Mac build is unsigned and unnotarized; Intel Macs are not currently supported.
Which files can Chronicle capture?
The current architecture captures PNG, JPG, SVG, PSD, PSB, OBJ, STEP/STP, and BLEND. AI explanations depend on the installed AI service's capabilities, so some captured formats can remain pending.
Do I need an account?
No. Select Continue local for capture, timeline, restore, and keyword search. Sign-in is optional.
Is AI required?
No. AI adds change summaries and meaning-based search. Local version history works without it.
What works offline?
Capture, cached history, keyword search, and restore. AI, semantic indexing, account sync, and reporting wait for connectivity.
Where do my files and keys live?
Chronicle's creative version library and database stay on your device. Provider keys are encrypted locally. Enabled AI sends only task-required inputs to your selected provider.
Which AI provider should I choose?
Choose based on model availability, privacy terms, and cost. Google and OpenAI can provide embeddings; Anthropic currently does not provide an embeddings API.
How much will AI cost?
There is no fixed Chronicle price. Your provider charges according to its current models, inputs, outputs, and account. Review its usage dashboard and invoice.
Will version history use more disk space?
Yes. Chronicle keeps version bytes locally and de-duplicates identical content. Large files and frequent meaningful saves use more storage.
Can restore destroy my current work?
Chronicle preserves timeline history, but Save a copy is the safest option when you only want to inspect or reuse an old version.
I deleted or renamed a file. Where did its history go?
It moved to the Removed files section at the bottom of that project. Chronicle keeps a removed file's versions for 30 days, shows the days remaining, and then deletes them permanently. Put the file back at the same path before then and Chronicle continues its history. A renamed or moved file starts a new history at its new path. See the full guide.
Can I permanently delete a file's version history?
Yes, once the file itself is gone from disk. Open Removed files in the project and select Delete now for one file or Delete all removed files for every removed file. Chronicle will not delete history for a file that is still on disk. To erase an entire project's history at once, choose Delete project and history when you remove the project. These actions cannot be undone.
What happens when I remove a project or uninstall?
Your original creative files are not Chronicle's library and should not be deleted. Local history and optional cloud account data have separate controls. Back up important history before uninstall troubleshooting.
How do I get more help?
Search this help center or open a GitHub issue. Share the app version, operating system, exact message, and steps. Never share keys, tokens, private paths, or creative files.