Privacy & Data

Is my original source code ever sent to an external server?

Rest assured — your original source code is never transmitted externally under any circumstances. Only minimal code structure information (metadata) is used for AI context, and it is handled securely based on your chosen AI mode.

• WebGPU mode (highest security): Processed 100% offline on your device. No data leaves your machine.
• Demo / API Key mode: Routed through a secure relay server to the AI model provider. The relay never stores the payload.
• Bridge mode: Sent directly to the AI provider via your locally installed CLI tool — Ropeman’s servers are not involved.

For a full breakdown, see Security.

Are my API keys stored securely?

API keys are never stored on Ropeman’s servers — they are kept only in your browser on your device.

• API Key mode: Keys are attached only at the moment of an API call and securely transmitted to the AI model provider via the edge proxy.
• Bridge mode: No API key input is needed. It inherits the authentication of your locally configured CLI tool.
• WebGPU mode: Runs offline, so no API key is required at all.

You can delete keys anytime from Settings → Reset Settings.

What exactly is in the “code structure summary”?

Function and method signatures, class declarations, import/export statements, and top-level type definitions. Not included: function bodies, inline comments, string literals, or configuration values. The summary is capped at 250 KB by default and is adjustable in Settings.

Languages & Projects

What programming languages are supported?

Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Rust, Java, C, C++, Ruby, PHP, Swift, Kotlin, C#, and Scala.

Are there project size limits?

Up to 2,000 files and 500 KB per individual file. For large projects, adjust the code structure summary size limit in Settings, or open one subdirectory at a time.

Can Ropeman handle mixed-language projects?

Yes. The in-browser parser handles each file by its extension, and the AI reasons across language boundaries when generating the diagram. A typical Python backend + TypeScript frontend monorepo works fine.

What happens if a file fails to parse?

Unparseable files are skipped silently and do not block the rest of the project. You can see per-file status in the file explorer. Parse errors are usually caused by unsupported language dialects or files exceeding the 500 KB cap.

Usage & Features

How do I drill down into a diagram?

Double-click any node on the canvas. Ropeman sends the sub-region’s code structure summary back to the AI and renders a fresh diagram for that scope. Use the breadcrumb at the top to navigate back up.

Can I use Ropeman commercially?

Yes. Ropeman is a visualization tool — analyzing your own code, whether personal or commercial, is fully supported. The tool itself is provided as-is from ropeman.dev. If you use Demo mode, remember the shared quota is for evaluation; switch to API Key or Bridge for sustained professional use.

Does Ropeman work offline?

Partially. Once the page is loaded, WebGPU mode is fully offline. Other modes require a network connection for the AI call. If you need to work air-gapped, use WebGPU and pre-download the model weights.

What happens to my diagrams when I close the tab?

Analysis results are cached in your browser and restored on the next visit. They persist until you clear site data or click Clear Cache in Settings.

Compatibility

Which browsers are supported?

Chrome and Edge (Chromium-based) are fully supported, including the File System Access API. Firefox and Safari work via drag-and-drop folder upload but cannot use the folder picker dialog. WebGPU mode additionally requires Chrome 113+ or Edge 113+ with a compatible GPU.

Why does the folder picker not show up in Firefox?

Firefox does not yet implement showDirectoryPicker(). Use drag-and-drop instead — drop a folder anywhere on the landing page and Ropeman will read it recursively.

I use Safari. What should I expect?

Drag-and-drop folder upload works. File System Access API features (live re-reads) and WebGPU mode are unavailable. Demo, API Key, and Bridge modes otherwise function normally.

Can I analyze a GitHub repository by URL?

Yes. Paste a public GitHub repository URL into the input field on the landing page and click Load. Ropeman fetches the file structure and analyzes it just like a local folder. Private repositories are not supported.

Can I share my analysis results?

Yes. After AI analysis completes, click the Share button in the header to generate a public link. You can share this link with anyone to let them view the analysis.

Still stuck? See Troubleshooting.