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Terms and Conditions for Shepherd

Effective Date: November 3, 2026
Last Updated: November 3, 2026

Agreement to Terms

By downloading, installing or using the Shepherd application for macOS (the "App"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the App.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Alchemy Technologies ("we," "us," or "our"), the operator of Shepherd.

If you get the App from the Mac App Store, Apple's Standard End User License Agreement (EULA) also applies. You can read it at https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/.

Age Requirement

You must be at least 13 years of age to use Shepherd. If you are under 18, you represent that you have your parent or guardian's permission to use the App.

Description of Service

Shepherd is a search application for macOS that lets you find files, notes, images, passages and apps on your Mac by describing them in plain words. It:

  • Reads the folders you choose and builds a search index stored on your Mac
  • Searches by meaning as well as by name and keyword
  • Runs entirely on your Mac using a model stored on your Mac, with no third-party AI services
  • Works offline once the model has been downloaded

Shepherd requires a Mac with Apple Silicon running macOS 14 or later.

Availability and Pricing

Shepherd is not yet released. Pricing, and whether it is offered free or paid, has not been decided. If Shepherd becomes a paid product, the price and billing terms will be shown clearly before you buy, and these Terms will be updated. Joining the waitlist does not obligate you to purchase and does not guarantee access.

Your Files and Permissions

  • Shepherd only reads the files in the folders you choose. It does not change, move, delete or upload them
  • macOS asks for your permission before Shepherd can read protected folders. You are responsible for choosing which folders Shepherd may read
  • Your files and your index stay on your Mac, as described in our Privacy Policy

Acceptable Use

You agree to use Shepherd only for lawful purposes. You may not:

  • Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or extract the App's source code or model, except as permitted by law
  • Copy, redistribute, resell or sublicense the App without our permission
  • Remove or alter any notices of ownership in the App
  • Use the App for any illegal or unauthorized purpose

Search Results and Accuracy

Shepherd uses a machine learning model to find results. Search results:

  • May be incomplete, may miss files that match your description, or may rank them imperfectly
  • May include results that are not what you meant
  • Are generated automatically and are not reviewed by a person

You are responsible for checking that the file you open is the one you intended before relying on it. Do not rely on Shepherd as your only way of finding important files, and keep your own backups.

Intellectual Property Rights

Our Content

The App, including its software code, user interface design, logos, branding and graphics, is owned by Alchemy Technologies or licensed to us and is protected by intellectual property laws. We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to install and use the App on Mac computers you own or control, for your personal or internal business use, subject to these Terms.

Your Content

You retain full ownership of your files and all content on your Mac. We do not receive, access or claim any rights to your files, your searches or your index.

Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

No Warranties

THE APP IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

Limitation of Damages

WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY:

  • Missing, incomplete or inaccurate search results
  • Direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
  • Loss of data, profits, or business opportunities
  • Damages arising from errors, bugs, interruptions, or unavailability of the App

Maximum Liability

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING FROM USE OF THE APP SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US FOR THE APP IN THE 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CLAIM.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Alchemy Technologies (and its owners) from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use or misuse of the App, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any third-party rights.

Data Processing and Privacy

Your use of the App is also governed by our Privacy Policy, available at atalchemy.com/shepherd/privacy. Key points:

  • Shepherd runs entirely on your Mac and uses no third-party AI services
  • Your files, searches and index are not sent to us or anyone else
  • We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes

Updates, Modifications and Termination

Our Rights

We may update, modify, suspend or discontinue the App or any feature at any time, and update these Terms.

Your Rights

You may stop using the App at any time by uninstalling it. Deleting the App and its data folder removes your index and downloaded model from your Mac.

Effect of Termination

If you breach these Terms, your license to use the App ends. Provisions regarding liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution survive termination.

Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Jurisdiction

You agree that any legal action or proceeding relating to your use of the App shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Delaware, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

Class Action Waiver

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to resolve disputes on an individual basis only. You waive any right to participate in class action lawsuits or class-wide arbitration.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Alchemy Technologies regarding the use of Shepherd and supersede all prior agreements or understandings.

Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, contact us at:

Email: support@atalchemy.com
Business Name: Alchemy Technologies
Website: atalchemy.com/shepherd

Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective when posted with an updated "Last Updated" date. Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

Acknowledgment

BY USING SHEPHERD, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.