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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about using Docket.

General​

What is Docket?​

Docket is a portable AI workstation on a USB drive. It comes with pre-installed AI models that run completely offline, with all data encrypted using AES-256.

Can I use Docket completely offline forever?​

Yes, you can use Docket completely offline forever. All 7 pre-installed AI models run locally on your device with no internet connection required.

Do I need internet to use Docket?​

No. Local AI models work completely offline. Internet is only needed for:

  • Using OpenRouter API models
  • Downloading additional models from Hugging Face

What computers does Docket work with?​

Docket works on:

  • macOS 12 or later (Intel and Apple Silicon)
  • Windows 10 or later
  • Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 11+, Fedora 36+)

How much RAM do I need?​

4GB minimum, 8GB recommended. Larger models require more RAM — see System Requirements.

Models​

Which model should I use?​

NeedRecommended
Quick responsesLlama 3.2 (1B)
General chatGemma 2
ProgrammingQwen 2.5 Coder
Image understandingQwen 2.5 VL Vision
Complex reasoningQwen 2.5 14B

Why is model loading slow?​

Models can take seconds to several minutes to load depending on:

  • Model size
  • USB speed (USB 3.0+ recommended)
  • System RAM

Can I use multiple models at once?​

No. Only one local model can be loaded at a time. However, you can quickly switch between models by loading a different one.

How do I add more models?​

See Downloading from Hugging Face.

Security​

Is my data secure?​

Yes, when encryption is enabled:

  • All data encrypted with AES-256
  • Password protected with Argon2id
  • Keys wiped from memory when locked
  • Works completely offline

What if I forget my password?​

There is no password recovery. If you forget your password, you must reset the vault, which deletes all encrypted data.

Can Docket access my computer's files?​

Docket only accesses:

  • Files you explicitly upload
  • Files you select for host model paths
  • Its own storage on the USB drive

Is my data sent to the cloud?​

Only if you:

  1. Enable network access AND
  2. Use OpenRouter API models

Local models never send data anywhere.

note

You never have to enable network access. Docket can be used completely airgapped forever with all 7 pre-installed local models.

Files​

What file types can I store?​

Any file type. Docket has special viewers for images, PDFs, and code files.

Are my files encrypted?​

Yes, when encryption is enabled. Each file is encrypted with its own AES-256-GCM key.

How do I share files?​

Use the Export feature to create an unencrypted copy in the exports folder.

Troubleshooting​

The app won't start​

See Common Issues.

Model won't load​

  1. Check you have enough RAM
  2. Try a smaller model
  3. Ensure the USB is connected properly
  4. Restart the app

API models not working​

  1. Verify network access is enabled
  2. Check your API key is configured
  3. Ensure you have internet connection

Performance is slow​

  1. Close other applications
  2. Use a smaller model
  3. Ensure USB 3.0 connection
  4. Check system temperature

Getting More Help​