Support

What do I need to use Cortex Relay?

An iPhone running iOS 17 or later, and a Mac or Linux machine with SSH enabled and Claude Code installed. Most users connect over Tailscale or a local network.

How do I set up my Mac for SSH?

Go to System Settings → General → Sharing → enable Remote Login. Install Tailscale on both your Mac and iPhone for easy private networking. Then add your Mac's Tailscale IP as a server in the app.

What's the difference between Chat and Terminal connections?

Chat gives you a structured conversation UI with voice input, image upload, and shortcut buttons. Terminal gives you a full interactive SSH session where you can run Claude Code directly with all CLI features, slash commands, and permission prompts.

Can I connect to multiple machines?

Yes. Add multiple servers, each with their own credentials and directories. Create as many Chat or Terminal connections as you need across different servers and projects.

Do I need to use password authentication?

No. You can generate an ed25519 SSH key directly in the app or import an existing one. Keys are stored in the iOS Keychain with optional Face ID/Touch ID protection.

What happens if I lose connection?

Every terminal session runs inside tmux on your server. If you lose WiFi, background the app, or switch to a call, the session keeps running. When you come back, you pick up exactly where you left off.

Does voice recognition work offline?

Yes, if you use the Whisper engine. Download a model (tiny, base, or small) in Settings and it runs entirely on your device. Apple Speech requires a network connection.

Which Whisper model should I choose?

Base is a good balance of speed and accuracy for most users. Tiny is faster but less accurate. Small is the most accurate but takes longer to transcribe and uses more storage (~250 MB).

How do push notifications work?

Chat connections send notifications automatically when a task completes. For Terminal connections, add the webhook snippet from Settings to your project's CLAUDE.md — Claude Code will call it when tasks finish or need input.

Is my data sent to your servers?

Only the notification title and message pass through our relay server to reach Apple's push service. No terminal content, code, or credentials are ever transmitted. The relay discards notifications immediately after delivery.

Where are my credentials stored?

Passwords and SSH keys are stored in the iOS Keychain, optionally protected by Face ID or Touch ID. They never leave your device.

Does the app collect any data?

No. Cortex Relay does not collect analytics, usage data, or personal information. There are no tracking SDKs. See our Privacy Policy for full details.