Questions about KolHive

Basics and devices

What is KolHive?

KolHive is a workspace app that runs its own desktop inside your browser, computer or phone. It gives you windows, a dock or taskbar, a start menu, file search and undo for file changes without replacing Windows, macOS or Linux. See how the workspace and your KOL account fit together in What is KolHive.

Is KolHive free, and what happens when I run out of credits or storage?

The app and your KOL account are free, with a monthly allowance of AI credits and some cloud storage; the Plans page lists the current amounts. You receive an inbox and push alert when your personal cloud storage is almost full or full. While cloud storage is full, new recordings keep saving on your device and back up once there is room, as explained in How your cloud drive works.

Which devices can I use it on today?

You can use the web app today at web.kolhive.com and run the desktop app on Mac, Windows and Linux. The iPhone, iPad and Android apps are not in the stores yet, so on a phone you open web.kolhive.com in the browser. Find setup steps for your platform in Install KolHive.

Can I try it without an account?

You can open demo.kolhive.com in any browser to try the desktop with sample data and no account. Account sign-in, device sync, recording and AI features are turned off in the demo. Read what a signed-in workspace includes in What is KolHive.

Files and cloud drive

Can it be my cloud drive?

Your workspace syncs your files, installed apps and app data between your devices. You can search across your files from the desktop and choose how individual folders sync. Learn how storage and sync work in KolHive cloud drive.

Can I open files on my home computer from my phone?

You can open a drive or folder connected to your desktop from your phone, tablet or browser over a direct encrypted link between your devices. For example, if Maya Chen leaves her Mac turned on and running KolHive in Chicago, she can browse its connected drive from her phone. Follow the setup guide in Open your computer from your phone.

An upload is slow or stuck. Can I pause or stop it?

Every upload, download, transcription and export has controls to pause, resume or stop the transfer. Stopping a transfer deletes the partial data, and stopping sync on an item from the right-click or long-press menu discards the unfinished upload and restarts it when you resume. See how transfer controls work in KolHive cloud drive.

Can I undo a change or go back to an earlier version?

The KolHive desktop includes undo for file changes across your workspace. Each installed app also keeps its own storage and saved versions, so you can undo a change by going back to an earlier version. Learn how versions and device backups work in Backup and new device.

Can I keep some files only on one device?

For each file, folder or app, you can choose cloud sync, device-only storage or stream-only access. You can also keep specific file types out of sync or pause syncing from the right-click or long-press menu. Read how to configure sync modes in KolHive cloud drive.

Building apps and hardware

Can I build my own app without writing code?

You can describe an app in plain language and the assistant builds and installs it on your KolHive desktop. The installed app stays on your desktop with its own data after the conversation ends, and building it uses AI credits. Follow a complete example in Build an app.

Can my app control devices like lights or sensors?

Built apps can reach local network devices, Bluetooth hardware, device sensors and infrared through kolhive.lan, kolhive.bluetooth, kolhive.sensors and kolhive.infrared when declared with a purpose and data use in the app manifest. Sending infrared remote codes will need the KolHive app for Android, which is not on Google Play yet, on a phone with a built-in IR blaster; it does not work on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, Linux or the web. See how hardware permissions work in Apps that control hardware.

What can't a built app reach?

USB, serial ports, HID devices and NFC are not supported for built apps. In addition, any hardware call that is not declared in the app manifest is refused at install check, in the page and by the host. Review all hardware limits in Apps that control hardware.

AI models and training

Can I use my own AI model or key?

Connecting your own AI API key, a model running on your computer such as Ollama or LM Studio, or a command-line AI assistant is available on the Business plan. Requests made with your own key are billed by that provider rather than by us. See which models and connections you can use in Choose your AI model.

Do you train AI on my files?

We do not use your files, recordings or workspace content to train AI models. If that ever changes, we will update our Privacy Policy first and offer an opt-out. Read how we handle your data in How KolHive protects your files.

Privacy and data storage

Can you read my files?

KolHive and KolWrite cloud files are not end-to-end encrypted because our servers process them to transcribe, translate and summarize, so the company can technically reach stored cloud files. Only KolChat messages, files, voice notes and calls are end-to-end encrypted following the Signal protocol design, which has not been independently audited, and KolChat content cannot be read by staff. Read the full details in How KolHive protects your files.

Where is my data stored?

Our main servers and database are hosted by Hetzner in Germany, and files are stored with Cloudflare R2, which operates globally. The GPU computers we run ourselves are in Israel, while managed cloud AI and cloud GPU processing may run in other countries with available capacity. See our storage and processing locations in How KolHive protects your files.

How do I delete my account?

You can delete recordings, files, chats and your account at any time from the security settings in the app or by emailing [email protected]. Your content stays until you delete it, and deleted data may remain in backup copies until those backups are replaced or deleted. Learn more about deletion in How KolHive protects your files.

Companies and IT

Is there a version for companies?

Business accounts are set up directly with our team by email, with pricing agreed per company instead of a self-serve checkout. The Business plan adds support for connecting your own AI API keys, local model servers and command-line AI assistants. Learn how to set up a team in KolHive for companies.

Do you support single sign-on?

Single sign-on with SAML or OIDC is not available yet. Today, users sign in with one KOL account using email and password, Google, or Sign in with Apple on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Review our current authentication and security architecture in Security review for IT.