Network Access Control

Control when Docket can access the internet.

The Network Toggle

Docket includes a global network toggle in the top bar:

• Off (default) — No external network requests
• On — Network access enabled

This is a hard security gate, not just a UI preference. When off, all external HTTP requests are blocked at the backend level.

Default: Offline

Docket defaults to offline mode because:

1. Privacy — Your conversations stay on your device
2. Security — No accidental data transmission
3. Portability — Works anywhere, even without internet

What's Affected

When Network is OFF

Feature	Status
Local AI models	✅ Works
Chat with local models	✅ Works
File storage	✅ Works
Encryption	✅ Works
OpenRouter API	❌ Blocked
Model downloads	❌ Blocked
Update checks	❌ Blocked

When Network is ON

All features work, including:

• OpenRouter API calls
• Hugging Face model downloads
• Update checking

What's Never Blocked

Local connections are always allowed:

• 127.0.0.1 — Local llama-server
• localhost — Local services

This ensures local AI inference always works regardless of the network toggle.

Enabling Network Access

1. Click the network icon in the top bar
2. Toggle to On
3. Icon changes to indicate network is enabled

Security Implications

With Network OFF

• Complete offline operation
• No data can leave your device
• API models unavailable
• Maximum privacy

With Network ON

• API calls go to external servers
• Model downloads from Hugging Face
• Your prompts are sent to API providers
• Consider provider privacy policies

Persistence

The network setting is:

• Saved — Persists across app restarts
• Reset on lock — Returns to OFF when vault locks
• Reset on disconnect — Returns to OFF when USB is removed

This ensures you start in a secure state after any security event.

Visual Indicator

The network status is shown in the sidebar:

Online Mode:

Offline Mode:

Best Practices

1. Keep OFF by default — Only enable when needed
2. Disable after use — Turn off when done with API models
3. Use local models for sensitive data — API providers see your prompts
4. Check before sensitive conversations — Verify network is off

Troubleshooting

"Network access disabled"

This error means you tried to use a feature requiring internet while network is off.

Solution: Toggle network on in the top bar.

API calls failing with network ON

1. Check your internet connection
2. Verify API key is configured
3. Check if the API service is available
4. Look for rate limiting messages

Network toggle not working

1. Try clicking again
2. Restart the app
3. Check if vault is unlocked