Terms of Service

Last Updated: May 2026
Effective: May 2026

1. Agreement to Terms

By downloading, installing, or using Keel (“Software”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use Keel.

These Terms apply to:

• The Keel desktop application (macOS, Windows)
• Any associated services or documentation

2. License & Usage Rights

Grant

We grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use Keel for personal, non-commercial purposes.

Permitted Uses

You may:

• Install Keel on computers you own or control
• Use Keel to organize personal and work information
• Modify your own data within Keel
• Back up your workspace
• Share your output (notes, wikis, exports) with others

Prohibited Uses

You may not:

• Modify, reverse-engineer, or decompile Keel’s source code (except as allowed by open-source license)
• Use Keel to develop competing products
• Circumvent technical protections or licensing restrictions
• Use Keel for illegal activities
• Use Keel to process large-scale data for resale or commercial training without permission

3. Your Responsibilities

Your Data

• You own your data. All notes, captures, tasks, and documents you create are yours.
• You are responsible for backing up your workspace. Keel does not automatically cloud-backup your data.
• You manage your API keys. If you store API keys in Keel, keep them confidential and rotate them if compromised.

Accurate Information

• When you connect third-party services (Google, AI providers), ensure you have the right to do so.
• You’re responsible for complying with third-party terms of service when using their APIs through Keel.

Compliance

• Use Keel in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction.
• Do not use Keel to create or distribute malware, spam, or illegal content.

4. AI Providers & Third Parties

External Services

Keel integrates with third-party AI providers (Claude, OpenAI, OpenRouter, Ollama) and services (Google, Fider). When you use these integrations:

• You are directly bound by their terms of service, not ours
• Your data is subject to their privacy policies and terms
• You are responsible for any charges they impose

No Endorsement

We do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or safety of third-party services. Use them at your own risk.

API Terms

When you provide your API keys to Keel:

• You authorize Keel to use those keys to make requests on your behalf
• You remain financially responsible for any charges incurred
• You agree to the terms of the API provider

5. Limitations of Liability

No Warranties

Keel is provided “as-is” without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not warrant that Keel will be:

• Error-free
• Uninterrupted
• Fit for a specific purpose
• Free of malware or security vulnerabilities

Limitation of Damages

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for:

• Data loss or corruption
• Loss of profits, revenue, or business opportunity
• Indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages
• Damages arising from third-party services or API providers
• Any damages exceeding the amount you paid for Keel (which may be $0)

Why This Matters

Keel is free, beta software. By using it, you accept that:

• Bugs may exist
• Your data could be lost if your computer fails
• We cannot guarantee the AI providers’ output quality or availability

6. Beta Software

Keel is in active beta. This means:

• Features may change or be removed without notice
• Stability, performance, or design may change between releases
• We may deprecate or discontinue features
• Your feedback helps shape the product

You acknowledge that you’re using early-stage software and accept the risks that come with it.

7. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree not to:

• Violate laws: Use Keel for illegal activities, fraud, abuse, harassment, or deception
• Harm systems: Introduce viruses, malware, worms, or other harmful code
• Infringe rights: Create content that violates intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights of others
• Spam: Use Keel to send unsolicited communications or bulk messages
• Impersonate: Pretend to be someone else or misrepresent your affiliation
• Exploit security: Attempt to gain unauthorized access, probe for vulnerabilities, or bypass authentication
• Circumvent restrictions: Use VPNs, proxies, or other means to evade restrictions or terms

8. Open Source

Keel’s source code is published under the MIT License. The MIT License grants you broad rights to use, modify, and distribute Keel, subject to the license’s conditions:

• You can modify and redistribute Keel
• You must include the original copyright and license notice
• It is provided “as-is” with no warranty

See LICENSE for the full MIT License text.

9. Privacy

See our Privacy Policy for details on how we handle your data.

Key points:

• Your data stays on your machine by default
• We do not operate a server or collect telemetry
• When you use third-party services, their privacy policies apply

10. Feedback & Contributions

Feedback

If you submit feedback, suggestions, or bug reports, you grant us a royalty-free, perpetual license to use that feedback to improve Keel.

Contributions

If you contribute code to Keel (via GitHub pull requests):

• Your contributions are licensed under the MIT License
• You represent that your code is original and doesn’t infringe any rights
• You agree to the Developer Certificate of Origin (DCO) or similar contribution agreement

See CONTRIBUTING.md for contribution guidelines.

11. Disclaimers

AI Output

Keel is powered by AI providers (Claude, OpenAI, etc.). AI-generated output:

• May be inaccurate, biased, or harmful. Always review AI responses critically.
• Is not advice. Do not rely on Keel for legal, medical, financial, or other professional advice.
• Is subject to the AI provider’s terms. Read their usage policies to understand acceptable uses.

Third-Party Accuracy

Keel retrieves information from your workspace (wikis, notes, etc.) and passes it to AI providers. We do not verify the accuracy of this information. Garbage in, garbage out.

12. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Keel’s creator, maintainers, and contributors from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from:

• Your use of Keel
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any law or third-party rights
• Your data or content
• Your use of third-party services through Keel

13. Termination

Termination by You

You may stop using Keel at any time. Simply uninstall the app and delete your workspace files if desired.

Termination by Us

We reserve the right to discontinue Keel or revoke your license if:

• You violate these Terms
• You engage in illegal or harmful activity
• We discontinue development (unlikely, but possible)

If Keel is discontinued, you retain ownership of your data and can export or use it elsewhere.

14. Modifications to Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. If changes are material, we’ll notify you (e.g., in-app notice). Your continued use of Keel after changes means you accept the new Terms.

15. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where you reside, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

Dispute Resolution: Any dispute arising from these Terms or Keel will be resolved informally through good-faith negotiation. If negotiation fails, you and Keel agree to resolve disputes in a court of competent jurisdiction in your area.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms, along with the Privacy Policy and any other agreements you accept, constitute the entire agreement between you and Keel regarding your use of the Software.

18. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Reach out:

• GitHub Issues: Keel Repository
• Feedback: Keel Fider Board
• Email: medhaforcebewithyou@gmail.com

19. Quick Reference

By using Keel, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.