Frequently asked questions
Is ThreadWeaver free?
Yes, for personal and business use. The optional AI summaries use your own Anthropic account, which Anthropic charges for; a typical summary costs a few pence or less.
Will it change, move or delete my email?
No. ThreadWeaver only reads your mailbox: nothing is moved, deleted or marked as read, and your folders stay exactly as they are. The only thing it ever sends is an email you write and send yourself, which your mail service saves in Sent as usual.
Does it send my email to FatCat Tech?
No. Your mail is fetched straight from your mail provider to your PC and stored there. We don’t run any servers that your mail passes through, and ThreadWeaver doesn’t send usage statistics. See the privacy policy.
Does it work with Gmail?
Yes, as an IMAP account. Google requires an app password for this: turn on 2-Step Verification in your Google account, create an app password, and use it in ThreadWeaver instead of your normal password. iCloud, Yahoo and Fastmail work the same way.
Can I use my work Microsoft 365 account?
Usually, yes. Some organisations only allow apps an administrator has approved; if so, ThreadWeaver tells you after sign-in, and your IT team can approve it. Do check your organisation’s IT policy before connecting a work mailbox.
Why does Windows warn me when I run the installer?
Windows SmartScreen warns about programs it hasn’t yet seen many people run. Click More info then Run anyway. The warning fades as more people install it.
Why is someone in the wrong place, or two conversations joined that shouldn’t be?
A conversation is filed under the people on the From and To lines of its first email. Emails are joined using the reply information inside them, then by matching the subject and the people involved. When that gets it wrong, right-click to merge or split; see merging and splitting.
Why is part of an email missing?
ThreadWeaver takes off quoted replies, signatures and disclaimers so each bubble shows just what’s new. Hover over a message to see what was removed, or press Download full message for the original.
An email shows “no message, just a signature”. Why?
The email had nothing in it but your signature, such as a test email or a file sent with an empty message. Hover over it to see the signature.
Where is my mail stored, and how do I back it up?
In %LOCALAPPDATA%\ThreadWeaver on your PC (Settings ▸ Data ▸ Open folder). Your mail is still on your mail server too, so if the folder is lost ThreadWeaver can simply fetch it again. Imported files are only as safe as the original file, so keep those.
Does ThreadWeaver use AI on my email?
Only if you choose to. Conversations are built and cleaned on your PC without AI. The optional Summarise button sends that one conversation’s text to Anthropic’s Claude, using your own key, when you press it.
Is there a Mac or Linux version?
Not yet. ThreadWeaver is Windows only for now.
Known issues
- Signature cleaning learns from repetition, so for the first few emails from a new person their signature may still show. It disappears as more of their mail arrives.
- Emails from imported files can only be opened in full while the imported file is still where it was imported from.
Getting help
If something isn’t working or you have a suggestion, get in touch at info@fatcattech.co.uk. It helps to include the version of ThreadWeaver you’re using and what you were doing when the problem happened. Please don’t send passwords, and only send email content you’re happy to share.