Help

Use ChatFile without losing control of your local data.

Add a project, reference files in web AI chats, capture useful answers, and approve local file writes only when you are ready.

01

Add a local project

Open the ChatFile side panel and choose a folder. Chrome asks for folder access through the File System Access API. ChatFile stores the folder handle and file index in your browser.

02

Reference files in a web AI chat

Use the side panel file tree or the configured trigger key to insert compact file chips into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, Kimi, Qwen, GLM, Doubao, and other supported web AI pages.

03

Capture and reuse answers

Send selected AI answers or current web pages into ChatFile as local drafts, Markdown, CSV, or reusable context. You decide what is captured.

04

Review before files change

When ChatFile prepares a local file change, it creates a write proposal. Review the path, diff, and warnings, then allow or reject the proposal.

Where your data is stored

  • Project folder handles, file indexes, search chunks, embedding cache, write proposals, web context captures, scheduled tasks, and run logs are stored in the extension's IndexedDB inside your browser.
  • Settings, provider configuration, API keys, Pro entitlement cache, active workflow drafts, and UI preferences are stored in Chrome extension storage on your device.
  • Account email, Supabase user ID, and Pro entitlement state may be stored in Supabase when you sign in or use paid features.
  • Payment details are processed by the payment provider. ChatFile does not store full card details.

Uninstalling and deleting data

Uninstalling the extension removes ChatFile's local extension storage and IndexedDB data from that browser profile, including local indexes, cached drafts, project handles, and write proposals. It does not delete files from your disk.

You can also remove a project inside ChatFile to delete its authorization, file list, and local index while leaving the original folder untouched. For account deletion, email [email protected].

When data leaves your browser

Data leaves your browser only when a workflow needs it: for example, when you send selected file context to a web AI page, call a configured API provider, use a remote embedding model, sign in, or complete a payment. Third-party AI services process that content under their own terms.

Troubleshooting

  • If a project shows that permission needs to be restored, open the side panel and reconnect the folder.
  • If a web AI page does not accept inserted context, refresh the page and confirm that ChatFile has permission for that site.
  • If local search misses new files, rebuild or refresh the project index from the file page.
  • If a web provider cannot run, confirm that you are signed in to the target AI website or switch to an API provider.