> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.heard.dev/privacy-and-data/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.heard.dev/_mcp/server.

# Privacy and data

Heard can run with local components or optional hosted services. The data boundary depends on the speech, narration, and product path you choose.

| Part           | Local path                         | Hosted path                                          | What is processed                                                         |
| -------------- | ---------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Speech output  | Kokoro                             | Managed voice, ElevenLabs, or Speechify              | Only the text Heard decided to speak                                      |
| Narration      | Neutral templates                  | Managed narration or your Anthropic key              | Compact event context and relevant agent response text                    |
| Dictation      | Heard Whisper                      | No hosted service required                           | Microphone audio stays on your Mac                                        |
| Session events | Local hooks and local session logs | Optional narration processing after local collection | Events stay local until a selected hosted feature processes relevant text |

## Managed app

The managed app provides hosted voices and narration without asking you to configure provider keys. Relevant text is sent to the selected hosted service when a cloud voice or narration feature needs it.

## Open source engine

The Apache 2.0 engine can use local Kokoro speech and neutral templates without a Heard account. You may also supply your own provider keys directly to the engine.

## Coding agent integrations

* Claude Code and Codex CLI hooks send events to Heard locally.
* The Codex app observer reads local session activity on the same Mac.
* The universal wrapper reads output exposed by the wrapped terminal process.
* Speech generation and narration happen after Heard decides an event deserves airtime.

## Dictation

Heard Whisper performs speech recognition on device. Microphone audio does not need to leave your Mac for push to talk or ambient transcription.

> **Note**
>
> Fully local means using the open source engine with local Kokoro speech and neutral templates. Choosing a cloud voice or hosted narration service sends the minimum relevant text required for that feature.

For legal terms, see the [Heard privacy policy](https://heard.dev/privacy) and [terms](https://heard.dev/terms).

> Heard is the voice layer for coding agents on macOS. Spoken progress from Claude Code and Codex, hands-free replies, and Heard Parrot codebase Q&A. Docs cover setup, listening modes, plans, and privacy.