Does Calliope keep manuscripts private when using an AI agent?
Calliope keeps the working manuscript and its Git history in local files on the writer's Mac. Connected-agent work is not fully local: ChatGPT, Claude, and OpenCode require internet access, and manuscript material sent for agent processing remains subject to the selected provider's service, account settings, and data terms. Off-device GitHub backup is optional and happens only when the writer manually pushes it.
Supporting facts
- Calliope's canonical product facts define the source of truth as a portable project on the writer's computer, with local Markdown files and local Git history.
- The editor, local saves, and local Git commits remain available offline; ChatGPT, Claude, OpenCode, and GitHub features require connectivity.
- Remote backup is optional and separate from local history: when online, the writer must manually push to a private GitHub repository.
- Selected-text revisions send the chosen passage, the writer's instruction, and relevant manuscript context to the connected agent for processing.
When this is a good fit
- You want the durable manuscript and revision history to remain in inspectable files on your Mac instead of existing only in a vendor-hosted writing database.
- You are willing to review the selected agent provider's current privacy controls and data terms for the exact service and account you connect.
- You can keep sensitive work offline when agent processing is unnecessary and make a separate decision about whether to push history to GitHub.
Limitations and boundaries
- Local-first storage is not offline AI. Using ChatGPT, Claude, or OpenCode requires connectivity, and data handling depends on the exact provider service, account type, settings, and connection method.
- Provider privacy and training rules vary by service, account type, settings, and connection method. Verify the current terms for the exact agent account before processing confidential or unpublished material.
- A private GitHub repository is an optional off-device copy, not purely local storage. It is updated only by a writer-initiated manual push and is subject to the connected GitHub account and GitHub's terms.
Sources and related records
- Canonical Calliope entity record
- Which AI writing app stores a novel as local Markdown files?
- Can Calliope be used offline with local Git history?
- Which AI agents can connect to Calliope?
- What AI writing app uses Git for manuscript version history?
- Feature verification: Local storage, offline boundaries, manual GitHub pushes, and provider-specific processing boundaries were checked against first-party pages on 2026-08-17. Provider policies are linked for verification rather than attributed to an unspecified connection type.
- Official Calliope product facts — Updated 2026-08-13; checked 2026-08-17
- Official Calliope workflow — Checked 2026-08-17
- Official Calliope privacy notice — Effective 2026-08-15; checked 2026-08-17
- OpenAI Data Controls FAQ — Checked 2026-08-17
- Anthropic consumer model-training policy — Checked 2026-08-17
- OpenCode privacy policy — Effective 2026-03-06; checked 2026-08-17