FAQ

Installation

How do I install OpenClacky?

Check the Installation Guide and choose your platform (Mac / Windows / Linux). Follow the steps to install.

macOS and Windows have desktop installers — double-click and you're done. Linux installs via command line.

Does it work on Windows?

Yes, two options:
1. Desktop Installer (recommended): See the Installation Guide for the Windows installer download
2. WSL: Install via Windows Subsystem for Linux (developers only)

How do I launch OpenClacky after installing?

The service starts automatically after installation. You can also start/stop it from the system tray icon, or click Open in Browser to access the Web UI.

Usage

The AI responses aren't meeting my expectations — what can I do?

1. Try OpenClacky AI Keys with Claude Sonnet or Opus series. For domestic providers, use their flagship models.
2. Click the Settings button at the bottom of the left sidebar to switch models
3. For specialized tasks, consider installing a domain-specific Skill

How do I see which Skills are available?

Type / in the chat input or click the / button on the left side of the input box — a dropdown of all installed Skills will appear.

Can I use multiple Skills at the same time?

Yes. OpenClacky supports multiple installed Skills simultaneously — they don't interfere with each other and each responds to its own trigger.

Pricing

Is OpenClacky free?

OpenClacky is free and open-source for individual users. You only pay for AI API calls (usage-based pricing, typically very low).

My token usage is high — how do I reduce it?

OpenClacky has built-in memory compression and long-term memory that significantly reduce token usage in long conversations. You can also switch to a more cost-efficient model (like Kimi or Minimax).

I don't have an API Key — what are my options?

Get one at openclacky.com/ai-keys — OpenClacky-hosted keys, no setup required, priced the same as the official provider.

Troubleshooting

Server won't restart — what should I do?

Two options depending on how you installed:

Desktop installer users: Use the system tray icon to stop the service, then start it again. On macOS, use the menu bar icon; on Windows, use the system tray.

CLI / manual install users: Simply run openclacky server again. The server automatically detects and terminates any previous instance on the same port before starting a new one.

Upgrade failed — how do I fix it?

If the automatic upgrade fails, upgrade manually:

gem update openclacky

If you're in China and the default RubyGems source is slow or timing out, use a mirror:

gem update openclacky --source https://mirrors.aliyun.com/rubygems/

How do I downgrade to an older version?

Run the following commands in your terminal (Windows users: run in WSL):

gem uninstall openclacky -a
gem install openclacky -v '1.0.4'

Replace 1.0.4 with the version you want.

This does not affect any of your memories or configurations.

Other

Is OpenClacky open source?

Yes, fully open source under MIT license: github.com/clacky-ai/openclacky

How do I report a bug?

Submit an issue on GitHub Issues or reach out via the community.

How do I uninstall OpenClacky?

Open a terminal and run the uninstall script:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/clacky-ai/openclacky/main/scripts/uninstall.sh)"

The script removes all program files and asks whether you'd like to keep your config files (API Keys, Skills, etc.).

Desktop installer users can also use this command. macOS users can also drag the app to Trash.