Howler will have AI answer your questions, then burn the chat

A new open-source Mac app called Howler allows users to pose questions to AI and have the conversation vanish from view. Developed by Chinese developer Aries Zhou, Howler presents the AI responses in a parchment-style letter format with a wax seal indicating the selected model. When the user presses Option+H, a letter appears on the screen, as if from the Harry Potter series, where Howlers are letters that scream and then burst into flames.

Zhou created Howler to cater to those who seek quick answers without the hassle of switching between apps or browsers. After setting it up, users can connect to various AI models using an API key or run the configuration commands manually. The app ensures that the API key remains private, stored in the macOS Keychain, and that messages are kept in memory without logging or archiving.

Howler aims to provide an incognito AI experience, storing responses temporarily and erasing them upon request. While it functions as a convenient interface for AI models available online, Zhou emphasizes that it is not a substitute for a full-fledged chat session. The app is open-source and available on GitHub and its official website for download.