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Alter connects to your Mac in several distinct ways:
  • Mac Apps (local tools) — First-party integrations with Mail, Calendar, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Contacts, Maps, DEVONthink, Computer Use, and Coding (ChatGPT, Cursor, OpenCode, Claude Code). These run on your Mac with system permissions; no third-party API keys required for the built-in apps.
  • Gateways — Discord and Telegram bots that let you chat with Alter from those platforms while Alter runs on your Mac. Internal builds also support a Buzz gateway (internal) for the dev team. Configure under Settings → Integrations → Gateways.
  • External integrations — MCP servers, skills, and cloud connectors (Slack, Notion, GitHub, web search APIs, etc.) configured in Tools Manager.

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Choose the right integration type

  • Use Mac Apps when the workflow stays on your Mac (inbox triage, calendar updates, iMessage, screen automation).
  • Use Gateways when you want to talk to Alter from Discord or Telegram without opening the Hub. Internal builds can also connect Buzz — see Buzz gateway (internal).
  • Use external integrations when data or actions live in another service or the open web.

Gateways

Connect Discord and Telegram bots to Alter

Discord setup

Step-by-step Discord bot setup

Telegram setup

Step-by-step BotFather setup

Buzz setup (internal)

Join a Buzz community — dev team only, internal builds

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Local tools (Mac Apps)

Local tools run in your environment and are best for daily execution on Apple apps, coding agents, and Computer Use.

Mac Apps nav

Per-app references: Mail, Calendar, Messages, Notes, and more

Coding tools

ChatGPT, Cursor, OpenCode, and Claude Code from Alter

Computer Use

Goal-based screen automation agent

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Coding tools

The Coding category in Tools Manager → Local Tools connects Alter to local coding agents you already run on your Mac:
  • ChatGPT — persistent tasks through the ChatGPT desktop app (Codex)
  • Cursor — sessions through the Cursor Agent CLI
  • OpenCode — CLI and terminal sessions, including work started outside Alter
  • Claude — Claude Code CLI sessions
Recommended: install a specialized agent from the Alter Marketplace — the live ChatGPT Agent is available now; Cursor, Claude, and OpenCode agents are coming soon. On first run, Alter enables the required coding tool automatically. Alter starts these sessions in the background from the Hub or an action, then returns results into the same conversation. Coding tools use a constrained permission profile mapped from your workspace — they do not require Alter Full Access for authorized project folders.

Coding tools workflow

Setup, permissions, provider comparison, and troubleshooting

Free to use

Local tools are included.

Private by default

Local workflows stay on your Mac.

App control

Alter can execute app actions, not only summarize data.

Offline-friendly

Many local actions work without external services.

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Enable local tools

1

Open Tool Manager

In Alter, open the three-dot menu and select Tools Manager.
2

Enable only what you need

Turn on the relevant local tools for the workflow you are running.
3

Test with one prompt

Run a small prompt to confirm permissions and expected behavior.

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External integrations

External integrations connect Alter with services such as Slack, Notion, GitHub, and research APIs via Tools Manager → Remote MCP Servers or installed skills.
  • Use these when your workflow spans multiple systems outside macOS built-ins.
  • Enable only the services required for your current task.
  • Mac App workflows (Mail, Calendar, Messages) do not require external connectors — see the Mac Apps section in this tab.

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Popular workflow entry points

Manage calendar

Plan and update your schedule from Alter.

Mail workflows

Draft replies and process inbox tasks.

Messages workflows

Send and manage iMessages faster.

Computer Use workflow

Extract and summarize visible UI content.