FAQ

Is Shrike free?

Yes — Shrike is free. There’s no Shrike account and no subscription. You bring your own Gmail.

Which platforms are supported?

macOS on Apple Silicon (M1 or newer), macOS 11 or later. Shrike renders through Metal and uses native macOS menus, so it currently targets macOS only.

Does it work with providers other than Gmail?

Today Shrike is a Gmail client — it connects to Google over IMAP + SMTP with OAuth. The mail layer is built behind a provider boundary, so other IMAP providers are a natural future direction, but Gmail is what’s supported now.

Does my email go through your servers?

No. There is no Shrike server — the app connects directly to Gmail. See Privacy & security.

Does the AI send my mail to the cloud?

No. The AI runs entirely on your Mac via an embedded llama.cpp. Prompts and message contents never leave the machine.

Do I need a fast machine for the AI?

The model picker recommends a model that fits your Mac’s memory, and the default is a compact model that runs comfortably on modest Apple Silicon machines. The model only downloads when you first use an AI feature, and AI is optional.

Why does the calendar say “403”?

Your Google token predates calendar support and is missing the calendar.events scope. Reconnect the account to grant it. See Calendar.

What makes Shrike different?

The goal isn’t to make email a nicer place to spend your day — it’s to get you out of your inbox faster. Shrike is a native macOS app that’s fast, keyboard-driven, local-first, and private by design, with on-device AI instead of cloud AI. Clear the inbox, close the laptop, get on with your work.

How do I get help?

Press ? in the app for the shortcut overlay, or read the rest of these docs.