Question 1

What is Taby?

Accepted Answer

Taby is a little assistant that lives at the top of your screen and helps you get things done on your computer. Think Clippy 2.0, but one that actually helps: it plans your day, keeps your tasks and notes, reminds you to drink water, closes distractions, and answers questions. It runs privately on your own Mac or PC for free, and Taby Cloud adds a bigger brain for the heavy stuff. There is also a physical Taby, a small face that sits on your monitor.

Question 2

What is Hey Taby?

Accepted Answer

Hey Taby is the home of Taby, a little assistant for your computer. The idea is simple: your computer should have a buddy that helps you get stuff done, like Clippy 2.0 done right. The app is free and runs privately on your Mac or PC. Taby Cloud is an optional subscription that adds a bigger brain, very accurate voice in 100+ languages, and a phone web app at app.heytaby.com. Physical Taby is a small face you can put on your monitor.

Question 3

What can Taby do right now?

Accepted Answer

Taby plans your day, keeps your tasks, notes and habits, runs focus sessions, closes distracting apps, reminds you of things, and shows your Google, Outlook or Apple calendar. You can talk to it: local voice listens in 8 languages and talks in 11, right on your computer, and Taby Cloud voice is very accurate in 100+ languages. It can also search the web, edit images (like blurring an email in a screenshot) and use the browser for you, with the free local AI too. Taby Cloud adds a bigger brain that’s a lot better in the browser, six personalities, and a phone web app at app.heytaby.com. Other AI agents like Claude and Codex can use Taby too.

Question 4

What does the hardware do without the app or when it is not connected?

Accepted Answer

If Taby is powered on but not connected to the desktop app, it is mostly the little screen and personality layer. It can show its face and built-in animations, but it will not know your tasks, timers, reminders, AI chat, or day context.

Question 5

Does it have to be connected to my Mac?

Accepted Answer

No. Taby gets power through USB-C from a Mac, wall adapter, monitor, or another USB power source. For the app connection, Taby can talk to your computer over USB-C or Bluetooth.

Question 6

Is the GitHub open-source repo the same as the paid version?

Accepted Answer

No. The GitHub repo is more of a learning project for electronics, ESP32 basics, firmware flashing, wiring, 3D printing, and understanding how a small desk robot works. The paid Taby is the finished product with ready-made hardware, the polished desktop app, local AI and productivity features, updates, and the full out-of-the-box experience.

Question 7

What platforms does Taby support?

Accepted Answer

Works on macOS & Windows and Linux (beta). The physical desk robot connects via Bluetooth or a basic USB-C cable, so it works with any computer and any monitor. No special hardware or adapters needed.

Question 8

How does Taby attach to my monitor?

Accepted Answer

Taby uses a secure, non-damaging mount that sticks to your monitor bezel. No residue, no damage. It works with any monitor that has a bezel edge and takes seconds to set up.

Question 9

Is my data private?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your tasks, notes, habits and day history stay on your computer, and the local AI runs there too. Nothing you write is used to train models. Taby Cloud runs under Zero Data Retention, so the AI providers behind it keep nothing after your request. The app only sends content-free usage stats, and you can turn that off in Settings.

Question 10

Is Taby safe to download?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Mac app is signed and notarized by Apple (Developer ID), and the Windows installer and every program file in it are code-signed by the publisher SIA TRIIIS. Download it only from heytaby.com/downloads. Taby runs its AI on your computer, needs no account, and only asks for the permissions a feature needs, like the microphone for voice.

Question 11

Is Taby the same as Tabbie?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Taby used to be called Tabbie (tabbie.me). It is the same little assistant, now at heytaby.com under the Hey Taby name.

Question 12

How much does Taby cost?

Accepted Answer

The desktop app and its local AI are free. Taby Premium (Taby Cloud) is an optional EUR 8.99 a month subscription for the bigger brain, voice in 100+ languages, and the phone web app at app.heytaby.com; buy it at heytaby.com/premium or in the app. Physical Taby is a one-time EUR 79.99 / USD 89.99 pre-order with three months of Taby Cloud included, or you can build one yourself from the open-source guide.

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