Local processing and storage
Pinyin conversion uses bundled character, phrase and emoji data. Learned words, custom phrases, pins and forgotten-word records are stored at ~/Library/Application Support/AetherKey/user_lexicon.json; preferences use macOS UserDefaults. There is no cloud conversion, login, advertising or analytics module.
Application context and diagnostics
The input method uses system input clients and caret geometry to place candidates, and can recognize terminal or IDE apps to switch to English. Caret diagnostics are disabled by default; manually enabled diagnostics record geometry only. macOS may independently generate crash reports.
Candidate ranking reads a bounded window before the caret through the system input client, using up to four adjacent Chinese characters for local dictionary continuations. If unavailable, recent commits from that input field are used only while the caret anchor matches. Context stays in memory and is neither separately stored nor uploaded; chosen words may still be learned in the local dictionary.
App updates
Sparkle checks the website update feed every six hours by default. You can disable automatic checks; manual checks also make a request. Update downloads use GitHub Releases. Requests involve normal network connection information and may include the app version. System profiling is disabled; typing, dictionaries and custom phrases are not attached. Update signatures are verified before extraction and installation.
Downloads and feedback
The website, GitHub downloads and issue reports are separate online services. Do not post sensitive typing, private dictionaries or unredacted personal screenshots publicly. Uninstalling does not automatically remove your local dictionary; remove local data yourself after quitting the input method if desired.