Show HN: Machato — A native macOS client for ChatGPT • Hacker News Board

Show HN: Machato — A native macOS client for ChatGPT

#1

Post by fliife » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 4:52 PM UTC

Machato is a tiny ChatGPT client that supports all basic features, and more !

I was frustrated with other native implementations that focused on quick access but didn't give easy access to a history of what has been said. Since ChatGPT is a learning tool for me, I'm always ruffling through past conversations. The client supports markdown rendering as well as LaTeX. Feel free to try it out !

For those who see this thread early, you can use the promo code EARLY_BIRD to get a free lifetime license.

Let me know if some aspects can be improved or if there are features you'd like to see implemented in native clients.

EDIT: Since the early bird discount has expired before this post could reach HN, I'll leave you with 50% off with the code MACHATO50 !

Show HN: Machato — A native macOS client for ChatGPT
untimelyunicorn.gumroad.com

Re: Show HN: Machato — A native macOS client for ChatGPT

#2

Post by smith7018 » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 8:16 PM UTC

3 hr after post, 0 comments, 8 upvotes:

Sorry, the discount code you wish to use has expired.

welp

Re: Show HN: Machato — A native macOS client for ChatGPT

#3

Post by lagrange77 » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 8:18 PM UTC

LaTeX rendering is a fantastic idea! Looks really nice.

Re: Show HN: Machato — A native macOS client for ChatGPT

#4

Post by Etheryte » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 8:18 PM UTC

Out of curiosity, what does a native app offer in this context that using ChatGPT in a browser tab doesn't? I understand you can add shortcuts such as opening it and starting a new chat, but outside of that?

Re: Show HN: Machato — A native macOS client for ChatGPT

#5

Post by fliife » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 8:20 PM UTC

smith7018 wrote: post #2

3 hr after post, 0 comments, 8 upvotes: Sorry, the discount code you wish to use has expired. welp

Yeah, there was some delay in posting and the early bird discount expired. I've updated the post with another discount !

Re: Show HN: Machato — A native macOS client for ChatGPT

#6

Post by fliife » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 8:27 PM UTC

Etheryte wrote: post #4

Out of curiosity, what does a native app offer in this context that using ChatGPT in a browser tab doesn't? I understand you can add shortcuts such as opening it and starting a new chat, but outside of that?

Multiple factors made me implement this:

- ChatGPT Plus is crazy expensive, and the free tier is often down. I found it especially frustrating to not get access to my chat history when ChatGPT's load was high. Since alternative clients go through the API, their are exempt from load balancing.

- A native client is lightweight and doesn't rely on web technologies. This is a matter of personal taste, but I like the look and feel of native apps better than web pages.

- Current native clients are both very new and ill-fitted to my needs (I really like the LaTeX rendering feature and I want to be able to browse my chat history)

Re: Show HN: Machato — A native macOS client for ChatGPT

#7

Post by Method-X » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 8:40 PM UTC

fliife wrote: post #6

Etheryte wrote: post #4

Out of curiosity, what does a native app offer in this context that using ChatGPT in a browser tab doesn't? I understand you can add shortcuts such as opening it and starting a new chat, but outside of that?

Multiple factors made me implement this: - ChatGPT Plus is crazy expensive, and the free tier is often down. I found it especially frustrating to not get access to my chat history when ChatGPT's load was high. Since alternative clients go through the API, their are exempt from load balancing. - A native client is lightweight and doesn't rely on web technologies. This is a matter of personal taste, but I like the look…

> ChatGPT Plus is crazy expensive

$20 per month is not crazy expensive relative to the value it provides.

Re: Show HN: Machato — A native macOS client for ChatGPT

#8

Post by Etheryte » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 8:41 PM UTC

Method-X wrote: post #7

fliife wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Multiple factors made me implement this: - ChatGPT Plus is crazy expensive, and the free tier is often down. I found it especially frustrating to not get access to my chat history when ChatGPT's load was high. Since alternative clients go through the API, their are exempt from load balancing. - A native client is lightweight and doesn't rely on web technologies. This is a matter of personal taste, but I like the look…

> ChatGPT Plus is crazy expensive $20 per month is not crazy expensive relative to the value it provides.

I'm not so sure, would you mind elaborating? I can definitely see the benefit for some professions such as writers etc, but outside of that I haven't seen a use case yet where I've felt it's provided enough benefit to justify the price.

Re: Show HN: Machato — A native macOS client for ChatGPT

#9

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 8:43 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Show HN: Machato — A native macOS client for ChatGPT

#10

Post by fliife » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 8:45 PM UTC

Method-X wrote: post #7

fliife wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Multiple factors made me implement this: - ChatGPT Plus is crazy expensive, and the free tier is often down. I found it especially frustrating to not get access to my chat history when ChatGPT's load was high. Since alternative clients go through the API, their are exempt from load balancing. - A native client is lightweight and doesn't rely on web technologies. This is a matter of personal taste, but I like the look…

> ChatGPT Plus is crazy expensive $20 per month is not crazy expensive relative to the value it provides.

Depends on your usage, I guess. I personnaly couldn't justify it. In the last few weeks, I've used the API extensively and total cost comes to a few dollars max.

Admittedly, the API doesn't provide nearly as many features as ChatGPT Plus does. To each their own !