Retvest · Sidekick
Sidekick app privacy
Local storage, optional cloud services, exports and deletion in the development preview.
Updated 12 October 2026
Local storage
Sidekick stores chats, drafts, assistant instructions, lessons, skills and memory on your computer. Local workspace text is protected by your operating-system account; configured credentials use operating-system-backed encryption. On macOS the default workspace is under ~/Library/Application Support/Sidekick/local. Files created in a project are separate from that workspace.
Working context stops being supplied to the model after its chosen expiry, but its saved contents can remain on disk until you clear or replace it or delete the workspace. Earlier exports and operating-system backups are separate copies.
Shared files, voice and permissions
Audio intermediates are removed after processing, with recovery cleanup after a crash. A limited text/image cache can remain in memory for ten minutes; Clear shared context removes it. Input names and model replies can remain in the conversation. Saved recordings and exported documents remain where you choose to save them.
Microphone, screen and accessibility features require operating-system permissions. Selected shell commands run with your operating-system account's access; choosing a project directory does not create a shell sandbox.
Choosing local or cloud models
Local reasoning, transcription, speech and OCR run on your computer after the required runtimes and models are installed. Installation and model downloads contact the relevant distribution services. Sidekick has no telemetry or hosted backend.
A selected cloud model receives the prompt and included context, which may contain conversation history, memory, shared documents, screenshots and tool results. Each provider's own data-use, retention and pricing terms apply.
Transcription is configured separately. Choosing OpenAI transcription sends recorded audio to OpenAI even when the chat model is local. The default local transcription does not fall back to cloud. Selecting a local chat model alone does not disable web tools or connected services.
Connected services
Web search, public pages, GitHub and other connected services contact their providers when used. Disconnecting a connection stops reconnection; deleting it removes saved credentials. To end the remote authorisation too, revoke access in the provider's account.
Exports and deletion
Workspace exports exclude the credential vault and original input attachment bodies, but can contain conversations, drafts, memory, settings, local file paths and small generated-file thumbnails. They do not automatically redact secrets or personal information. Review any export before sharing it.
Delete data removes Sidekick's local workspace, including saved credentials, and quits the app. It does not remove project files, recordings, earlier exports, operating-system backups, model files held by another application or data held by connected providers. Removing local credentials does not revoke a provider's authorisation.
Support
The app does not automatically send support messages or diagnostic reports. Contact cliffordprince257@gmail.com with minimal reproduction steps using synthetic data. Do not email secrets or a complete workspace. The website privacy notice explains support-email handling.