PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. This End User License Agreement ("Agreement") is a legally binding contract between you (a natural person or legal entity, "you" or "User") and the Starcat development team ("we" or "Licensor") governing your use of the Starcat application ("the App"). By downloading, installing, or using the App, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all terms of this Agreement. If you do not agree, do not download, install, or use the App.

01Parties & Acceptance

This Agreement is between you and Licensor. The App is distributed via Apple Inc. ("Apple") through the App Store. Apple is not a party to this Agreement but is a third-party beneficiary with specific rights (see Section 17).

If you are accepting this Agreement on behalf of a legal entity, you represent and warrant that you have the legal authority to bind that entity, and that entity accepts all terms.

02Definitions

The App
Starcat software, including its client executable, related documentation, updates, and upgrades.
Apple Device
An Apple-branded product running macOS 15 Sequoia or later that you own or control.
User Content
Content you create, upload, submit, or store while using the App, including custom tags, private notes, read status, favorites, etc.
Credentials
Authentication information you provide to access external services, primarily GitHub OAuth Token and optional AI provider API Keys.
AI Features
LLM-dependent capabilities including AI summaries, AI tag suggestions, semantic search, and project health scoring.
Pro Version
The full-feature version unlocked via auto-renewing subscription or one-time purchase (collectively "Pro").

03License Grant

Subject to your compliance with this Agreement, Licensor grants you a personal, limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license to install and use the App on Apple Devices you own or control. This license also permits:

  • Use of copies purchased via Apple Family Sharing or Volume Purchase by family members or authorized accounts, provided only one Apple ID is active per Pro entitlement at a time;
  • When you no longer own an Apple Device, you must delete the App and all copies before transferring the device.

All rights not expressly granted herein are reserved by Licensor.

04License Restrictions

Except as expressly permitted by applicable law or this Agreement, you shall not, and shall not permit any third party to:

  • Copy, modify, rent, lend, sell, redistribute, or sublicense the App;
  • Reverse engineer, disassemble, or decompile the App or attempt to obtain its source code or non-public interfaces (except to the extent expressly permitted by applicable law);
  • Create derivative works of the App or bundle it with other software;
  • Remove, alter, or obscure any copyright, trademark, or proprietary notices;
  • Use the App to violate GitHub Terms of Service or any third-party terms;
  • Use automated means (including bots, scrapers) to abuse the App or backend services or bypass rate limits.
⚠ Important Violation of any of the above constitutes material breach, and all rights under this Agreement terminate automatically, without prejudice to Licensor's other legal remedies.

05User Content & Ownership

5.1 Your Ownership

User Content (tags, notes, status, categories, etc.) you create belongs to you. Licensor claims no ownership over your User Content.

5.2 Limited License to Licensor

To provide the App's functionality (local search, cross-device sync, backup/restore), you grant Licensor a non-exclusive, royalty-free, limited license to store, reproduce, display, and process your User Content within the App, your iCloud account, and associated Apple CloudKit services. This license terminates when you delete the content or stop using the App.

5.3 Backups

The App supports exporting User Content in JSON format. You should periodically back up important data yourself. Licensor is not liable for data loss due to system failure, sync conflicts, or force majeure.

06Accounts & Credentials

6.1 GitHub Account

Core functionality requires a GitHub account and OAuth authorization with read:user and public_repo scopes. The App does not access your GitHub password or request unnecessary permissions.

6.2 Credential Security

GitHub OAuth Token and optional AI API Keys are only stored in your local Apple device Keychain, with Apple's encryption and strict ACL. You are responsible for safeguarding your device, Apple ID, and biometric credentials.

6.3 Revoking Authorization

You may log out in Settings → Account → Sign Out to delete local credentials, or revoke Starcat's authorization at GitHub Settings → Applications.

07Subscriptions & Payment

7.1 Billing

The App offers free core features and a Pro version unlocked via auto-renewing subscription or one-time purchase. All payments are processed by Apple App Store. Prices, currencies, and taxes are as displayed in the App Store.

7.2 Auto-Renewal

  • Payment is charged to your Apple ID upon purchase confirmation;
  • Subscription auto-renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends;
  • Renewal is charged within 24 hours before the period ends;
  • Manage or cancel in Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions on your Apple device.

7.3 One-Time Purchase

A purchase grants lifetime access to features explicitly stated at time of purchase but does not include new AI features requiring ongoing server costs introduced after purchase. Future major updates may require separate payment, clearly disclosed on the purchase page.

7.4 Refunds

Refunds are handled entirely by Apple. Request at reportaproblem.apple.com. Licensor cannot directly issue refunds.

08Third-Party Services

The App integrates or may interact with these services, each governed by its own terms and privacy policies. Licensor is not responsible for their content, availability, or conduct:

  • GitHub (GitHub, Inc.): Auth, star sync, README & release retrieval. GitHub Terms of Service ↗.
  • Apple iCloud / CloudKit: Cross-device user content sync.
  • Apple App Store / StoreKit: Payment and subscription management.
  • AI Providers (optional — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, DeepSeek, Ollama, etc.): When AI features are enabled, requests are sent to the above providers or Licensor's proxy based on your selection. AI-generated content may contain hallucinations, inaccuracies, or biases — use your own judgment.
Note AI-generated tags, summaries, and scores are advisory only. The App always requires your explicit confirmation before writing to your user data (e.g., auto-applying tags).

09Technical Data Collection

You agree that Licensor may (but is not obligated to) collect technical data including device model, OS version, App version, crash logs, and performance diagnostics. Such data is used only in aggregate or de-identified form for: service availability, product improvement, bug fixes, and abuse detection. It is not used for advertising. For details, see the equally binding Starcat Privacy Policy.

10Intellectual Property

The App and all components (source code, object code, UI design, icons, trademarks, copy, documentation) are protected by copyright law, international treaties, and other IP laws. Except as expressly granted, all rights, title, and interest in and to the App belong to Licensor or its licensors.

"Starcat" and associated icons and taglines are Licensor's trademarks. You may not use them without prior written consent.

11Acceptable Use

You undertake not to use the App for:

  • Violating laws, regulations, or public morals, including money laundering, fraud, terrorism, CSAM, cyberattacks;
  • Infringing any third party's IP, privacy, trade secrets, or other rights;
  • Storing or transmitting malware, viruses, worms or destructive programs;
  • Any form of DoS attack, intrusion, or unauthorized access against Licensor or backend services;
  • Unauthorized commercial redistribution or resale of the App.

12Service Changes & Termination

12.1 Changes

Licensor may change, suspend, or discontinue any part of the App (including AI services and self-hosted proxies) at any time without prior notice. For paid subscription periods or purchases, Licensor will reasonably compensate (e.g., prorated refund or equivalent feature replacement).

12.2 Termination

This Agreement is effective upon acceptance and continues until terminated. Your rights terminate automatically upon any breach. Upon termination, you must stop using and delete all copies. Sections 5, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 survive termination.

13Warranty Disclaimer

⚠ TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW THE APP IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE". LICENSOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, SYSTEM INTEGRATION, DATA ACCURACY, UNINTERRUPTED OPERATION, AND FREEDOM FROM ERRORS OR VIRUSES.

No oral or written statement by Licensor or its representatives constitutes a warranty. Some jurisdictions do not allow exclusion of implied warranties, so some exclusions may not apply to you.

14Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event shall Licensor be liable for any personal injury or any incidental, special, indirect, punitive, or consequential damages, including lost profits, data loss, business interruption, goodwill loss, lost or corrupted User Content, or losses from third-party service interactions.

Regardless of the legal theory (contract, tort, or otherwise), Licensor's total cumulative liability under this Agreement is limited to the greater of:

  • (a) the amount you actually paid to Apple for the App in the 12 months preceding the claim; or
  • (b) 50 USD (or equivalent).

Some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on liability for personal injury or consequential damages, so some limitations may not apply.

15Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Licensor and its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors from any claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from: your breach of this Agreement; your violation of applicable law; your infringement of third-party rights; your User Content or your manner of using the App.

16Export Controls

You represent and warrant that: (a) you are not located in a country embargoed by the US government or designated as supporting terrorism; (b) you are not on any US government prohibited or restricted party list (including OFAC SDN List, Commerce Entity List). You agree not to use the App for purposes prohibited by US export law, including WMD-related research, design, or manufacture.

17Apple Third-Party Beneficiary

You and Licensor acknowledge and agree that: (1) this Agreement is only between you and Licensor — Apple is not a party; (2) Licensor (not Apple) is solely responsible for the App and its content; (3) Apple has no obligation to provide maintenance or support; (4) if the App fails to conform to any applicable warranty, you may notify Apple for a refund of the purchase price — to the maximum extent permitted, Apple has no other warranty obligation; (5) Licensor (not Apple) is responsible for addressing user claims, product liability, regulatory non-compliance, consumer protection claims, and IP infringement claims; (6) Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries and may enforce this Agreement against you.

18Governing Law & Disputes

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the People's Republic of China (for purposes of this Agreement, excluding Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan). Where mandatory consumer law requires a different governing law, that law applies.

Disputes shall first be resolved through friendly negotiation; failing that, either party may bring suit in competent courts at Licensor's principal place of business.

If you are a consumer in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, or Iceland, this Agreement does not deprive you of your local consumer protections — your local law and courts apply.

The UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) is expressly excluded.

19Agreement Changes

Licensor may revise this Agreement from time to time. Material revisions will be prominently announced in-app or on the official website. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance; if you disagree, stop using and uninstall the App. The current version is always published on the Starcat website.

20Contact Us

Support
dong4j@gmail.com
Website
https://starcat.ink
App Store
Submit feedback on our App Store page
Entire Agreement This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and Licensor regarding the App, superseding all prior oral or written communications. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.