Starcat

Support

Starcat for GitHub

Mac App Store Version · Contact: dong4j@gmail.com

Need help?

Email us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Please include your macOS version and a description of the issue.

dong4j@gmail.com

Getting Started

What is Starcat for GitHub?

Starcat is a native macOS app that helps you organize, search, and understand your GitHub Stars. It turns a flat list of bookmarks into a searchable, AI-powered knowledge base — all stored locally on your Mac.

Do I need a GitHub account?

Yes. Starcat manages your GitHub Stars, so you need to sign in with your GitHub account via OAuth. The app requests read:user and public_repo scopes — the minimum needed to sync your stars and profile.

How do I get Starcat?

Starcat is available on the Mac App Store. Search for "Starcat for GitHub" or visit the product page. The app requires macOS 15 or later.

Is there a free version?

Yes. Starcat offers a free tier with core features including star sync, local search, tags, notes, README viewing, and discovery browsing. You can use it indefinitely without paying.

Pro Subscription

How do I get Pro?

Pro is available through Apple In-App Purchase. Open Starcat, go to Settings → Pro, and choose the Pro subscription. You'll be charged through your Apple ID.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Pro includes a 14-day free trial. You won't be charged until the trial ends. You can cancel anytime during the trial at no cost.

How do I manage or cancel my subscription?

All subscriptions are managed by Apple, not by Starcat. To manage or cancel:

You can also manage subscriptions in System Settings → Apple ID → Media & Purchases → Subscriptions.

How do I restore my Pro purchase?

If you get a new Mac or reinstall the app, open Starcat, go to Settings → Pro, and click "Restore Purchases". Your Apple ID will verify your active subscription and unlock Pro features. There is no limit on how many times you can restore.

Does the App Store version use license keys?

No. The Mac App Store version does not use external license keys or activation codes. All Pro features are unlocked through your Apple ID subscription, which is verified by Apple's StoreKit framework.

What Pro features are included?

Pro unlocks all advanced features:

Privacy & Data

Where is my data stored?

Starcat is local-first. All your data — GitHub Stars cache, tags, notes, status, and settings — is stored in a local SQLite database on your Mac. Starcat does not upload your organization data to any server.

Where are my API keys stored?

Your GitHub OAuth token and AI provider API keys are stored securely in your Mac's Keychain. They never leave your device and are never sent to Starcat servers.

Does Starcat send my data anywhere?

Starcat makes network requests only when necessary:

For full details, read our Privacy Policy.

Troubleshooting

The app can't connect to GitHub

Check that you're signed in to GitHub in the app (Settings → Account). If your token has expired, sign out and sign in again. Also verify your network connection and that GitHub is accessible.

Stars are not syncing

Try pulling to refresh from the main star list. If that doesn't work, sign out and sign back in to GitHub from Settings → Account. Note that GitHub's API has rate limits — if you have thousands of stars, initial sync may be throttled.

AI features are not working

AI features require a Pro subscription and a configured AI provider. Go to Settings → AI Configuration and verify your provider is set up with a valid API key. Also check that your API key has sufficient quota from your provider.

Pro features are locked even though I subscribed

Try Restore Purchases from Settings → Pro. If that doesn't work, make sure you're signed in to the App Store with the same Apple ID you used to subscribe. If the issue persists, contact us at dong4j@gmail.com.

The app crashes or behaves unexpectedly

Make sure you're running the latest version from the Mac App Store. If the issue persists, email us at dong4j@gmail.com with details about your macOS version, what you were doing when the issue occurred, and any error messages you saw.