FAQ
Common questions
Short answers before you connect an AI client.
01
Common questions
General
What is Blackroot?
Blackroot is a desktop application and a Cloud Relay. It connects remote AI clients such as ChatGPT or Claude to tools running on your computer, without asking you to open ports or run your own public infrastructure.
Does Blackroot replace ChatGPT or Claude?
No. Blackroot is the connection layer. You keep using the AI client you already have and give it a Blackroot endpoint so it can reach your local environment.
Connections
Which AI clients can I connect?
ChatGPT, Claude, and other MCP-compatible clients. Blackroot provides the endpoint. The client still needs to support MCP connections.
Do I need to run Blackroot Desktop?
Yes. Desktop is what keeps the outbound connection alive and starts the local tools. Cloud cannot execute those tools if Desktop is not running on the machine.
MCP
What is MCP?
MCP is a protocol that lets an AI client call tools. Blackroot does not replace those tools. It gives a compatible client a route to MCP servers and apps that already run on your machine.
Can I connect my own MCP server?
Yes. You can add custom MCP servers in Blackroot Desktop and make them available through your Blackroot endpoint.
Security
Do I need to configure ports?
No. Blackroot Desktop connects outward to Blackroot Cloud. That avoids inbound port forwarding, NAT rules, and extra firewall openings on your network.
Do my tools run in Blackroot Cloud?
No. Tools, scripts, and MCP runtimes execute on your computer. Blackroot Cloud authenticates clients and routes requests. It does not become the place where those tools run.
Can I revoke an AI client's access?
Yes. You can revoke a connected computer and remote endpoint access from Blackroot Cloud when you no longer want that route to stay available.
Billing
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. You can cancel from Blackroot Cloud billing. Access continues through the end of the paid period, then the account returns to Free.
What happens when my subscription ends?
The account returns to Free. Paid capabilities such as Desktop access and public MCP endpoint routing stop when the paid period is over.
Can I use Blackroot on multiple computers?
Yes. A Blackroot account can connect more than one computer. Each computer is a separate Desktop installation that you can manage from Blackroot Cloud.
What payment methods are supported?
Payments are processed by Stripe Checkout from Blackroot Cloud. Available methods are the ones Stripe offers for your account and region.
Troubleshooting
What happens if my computer goes offline?
Requests cannot reach local tools while the computer or Desktop connection is down. When the machine and network return, Blackroot restores the outbound connection.
Your AI already knows what to do. Give it the tools.
Connect your AI to the environment where your work actually happens.