> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.alterhq.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> Understand local tools and external integrations in Alter

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)](/apps-tools/gateways-buzz) 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**.

## 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)](/apps-tools/gateways-buzz).
* Use **external integrations** when data or actions live in another service or the open web.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Gateways" icon="comments" href="/apps-tools/gateways">
    Connect Discord and Telegram bots to Alter
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discord setup" icon="discord" href="/apps-tools/gateways-discord">
    Step-by-step Discord bot setup
  </Card>

  <Card title="Telegram setup" icon="telegram" href="/apps-tools/gateways-telegram">
    Step-by-step BotFather setup
  </Card>

  <Card title="Buzz setup (internal)" icon="message-square" href="/apps-tools/gateways-buzz">
    Join a Buzz community — dev team only, internal builds
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Local tools (Mac Apps)

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

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Mac Apps nav" icon="apple" href="/apps-tools/mail">
    Per-app references: Mail, Calendar, Messages, Notes, and more
  </Card>

  <Card title="Coding tools" icon="terminal" href="/workflows/coding-tools">
    ChatGPT, Cursor, OpenCode, and Claude Code from Alter
  </Card>

  <Card title="Computer Use" icon="display" href="/apps-tools/computer-use">
    Goal-based screen automation agent
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<h2 id="coding-tools">
  Coding tools
</h2>

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](https://alterhq.com/marketplace) — the live [ChatGPT Agent](https://alterhq.com/marketplace/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.

<Card title="Coding tools workflow" icon="code" href="/workflows/coding-tools">
  Setup, permissions, provider comparison, and troubleshooting
</Card>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Free to use" icon="gift">
    Local tools are included.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Private by default" icon="shield">
    Local workflows stay on your Mac.
  </Card>

  <Card title="App control" icon="command">
    Alter can execute app actions, not only summarize data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Offline-friendly" icon="wifi-off">
    Many local actions work without external services.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Enable local tools

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Tool Manager">
    In Alter, open the three-dot menu and select **Tools Manager**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable only what you need">
    Turn on the relevant local tools for the workflow you are running.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test with one prompt">
    Run a small prompt to confirm permissions and expected behavior.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## 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.

## Popular workflow entry points

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Manage calendar" icon="calendar" href="/workflows/manage-calendar-with-alter">
    Plan and update your schedule from Alter.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Mail workflows" icon="mail" href="/workflows/manage-mail-with-alter">
    Draft replies and process inbox tasks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Messages workflows" icon="message-circle" href="/workflows/send-messages-with-alter">
    Send and manage iMessages faster.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Computer Use workflow" icon="screen-share" href="/workflows/summarize-x-feed-with-computer-use">
    Extract and summarize visible UI content.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Related pages

* [Tool Manager guide](/how-to/tool-manager-guide)
* [Integrations troubleshooting](/apps-tools/integrations-troubleshooting)
* [Mail app reference](/apps-tools/mail)


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