FAQ

Good questions, plainly answered.

The things people ask before they download. If yours isn't here, it probably will be.

What do I need to run Feather?

A Mac running macOS 15 or later. The on-device AI uses Apple Silicon, and Apple's built-in models need macOS 26 or later. Everything else (import, review, and scheduling) works regardless.

Does it work with my Anki decks?

Yes. Feather imports Anki .apkg files and renders their card templates directly. The import is read-only, so your original Anki collection stays exactly as it was. Feather just gives you a calmer place to study it.

Is my data private?

Feather is local-first. Your decks, your reviews, and the on-device AI all stay on your Mac. Nothing is uploaded unless you deliberately turn on cloud AI with your own key, and even then, only what you ask about is sent.

What AI does it use?

On-device by default: Apple's built-in models plus local open models running through Apple Silicon. You can optionally connect your own OpenAI-compatible API key to reach a frontier cloud model when you want one. The choice is always yours.

Can I create and edit cards myself?

Yes. You can write cards and build decks by hand, browse and search your whole collection, and suspend cards you don't want right now. AI-drafted cards are always reviewed and accepted one at a time. Nothing lands in a deck on its own.

What does it cost?

The core app is free and runs entirely on your Mac. If you connect cloud AI, you pay your own provider directly for what you use. Feather adds nothing on top. A managed Pro tier is on the roadmap for later.