1. Core principles
Paletide is a third-party theme app for the Codex and ChatGPT desktop apps on macOS. It does not require a Paletide account and contains no advertising, behavioral analytics, or usage telemetry. The commercial release requires activation with a license code.
2. Data processed on your Mac
Imported images, custom themes, crop focus points, zoom settings, and theme runtime state are stored on the current Mac. Image brightness, accent color, visual focus, safe-area, and aspect-ratio analysis all happen locally. Paletide does not upload theme images to the license server.
Local theme data is stored by default in ~/Library/Application Support/CodexDreamSkinStudio. This directory name is an internal identifier retained for compatibility with earlier versions.
3. License verification
During first activation and periodic lease renewal, Paletide sends the following information to the license server over HTTPS:
- The license code entered by the user;
- An anonymous installation ID;
- The product ID and app version;
- A fresh random nonce used to prevent response replay.
As with an ordinary HTTPS service, the server can see the connecting IP address. The anonymous installation ID is derived one-way from a Mac system identifier so the same device can be recognized consistently, but the raw hardware UUID is not uploaded.
4. Local storage and validity
The license code is stored in the macOS Keychain. A signed license cache and fallback installation ID are stored in the user's Library. While Paletide is running, it periodically attempts to renew the online lease. After a successful check, offline use is supported for up to 48 hours, bounded by the license's own expiration date.
Removing the license from the current Mac clears only the local Keychain entry and cache. It does not automatically release the device slot on the license server. Before replacing your Mac, contact the seller through the original purchase channel to have the old device handled.
5. Information Paletide does not read or upload
- Your Codex or ChatGPT conversation content;
auth.json, API keys, Base URL settings, or model-provider configuration;- Imported theme images or custom theme files;
- Raw hardware serial numbers or raw hardware UUIDs;
- Personal files unrelated to the theme feature.
6. Diagnostic reports
When you explicitly export a diagnostic report, it contains troubleshooting information such as app and component versions, the macOS version, runtime status, and license status. It does not contain the full license code, device ID, theme images, auth.json, config.toml, API keys, full user paths, or full process commands.
7. Third-party services
Paletide uses its own license service for activation checks. GitHub distributes the installer, and Xianyu is used to sell licenses. When you visit those platforms, their respective privacy policies govern their handling of data. Data processed by the official Codex and ChatGPT apps is also outside Paletide's scope.
8. Your choices and contact
You can stop using themes, restore the official appearance, and remove Paletide at any time. For license or device-slot requests, contact the seller through the original Xianyu order conversation. If this policy changes materially, the date on this page will be updated.