A few questions.
01What is Bartleby?
A fast, keyboard-first iMessage inbox for Mac. Archive, snooze, pin, undo, and send later. Your existing Messages history is there on first launch.
02What Mac do I need?
macOS 15 or later, on a Mac with Apple silicon.
03Why Full Disk Access? What does it read?
macOS requires Full Disk Access to read your Messages history, its attachments, and the AddressBook files that hold contact names. The grant is broad; Bartleby uses it for these local files.
Contacts permission is separate, for adding and editing contacts. Automation and Accessibility let Bartleby send and operate Messages’ controls for actions you start.
04Does it write to the Messages database?
No. Bartleby opens the Messages database read-only. Its archive, pins, snoozes, drafts, and settings live in its own store. Sending and replies go through Messages.
05What requests does Bartleby make?
Help → What Has Bartleby Sent? lists the requests in the app.
- Link previews: when Messages has no saved preview, Bartleby loads the linked page and preview images. That site sees the request.
- Feedback: only when you press Send. The report goes through bartleby.app to Canny with your text, email, and the diagnostics shown before sending.
- Update checks: bartleby.app receives the app version. If you choose to install an update, the build downloads from the same site.
- Usage ping: on launch and once a day while open, bartleby.app receives the app version and build, macOS version, a random ID for this Mac, event type, and your email if you supplied one. Turn it off in Settings → General. Saving or clearing your email sends a separate registration update with the same fields.
No Bartleby server sees your conversations. No cloud model. The updater and usage ping start after the final onboarding screen.
06Can I keep using Messages?
Yes. Your conversations live in Messages, and Bartleby sends through it. You can use both. Bartleby’s Notification Setup explains how to silence Messages’ banners if you want Bartleby to handle notifications.
07Does it sync between my Macs?
Yes. Turn on Settings → Sync on Macs signed into the same iCloud account. Read state, archive, snoozes, pins, lists, draft text, and settings sync through iCloud.
Draft attachments do not sync. Scheduled messages send from the Mac that scheduled them, which must stay on with Bartleby running.
08Is there an iPhone app?
Not now. Bartleby is for Mac.
09What does it cost?
Pricing: [TK].
10How do I get it?
Bartleby is in private beta. Join the waitlist.
11How do I report a bug or suggest a feature?
In the app, press ⌘K and choose Report a bug or Request a feature. You can review the attached diagnostics before sending. Your email lets Canny tell you when it ships.
On the web, use the suggestion form or open a post on the board to vote and comment.
12Why Bartleby?
Herman Melville’s “Bartleby, the Scrivener” (1853). A copyist in a Wall Street law office, known for “I would prefer not to.”