The step-by-step guide is at herdling.zog-tech.com/docs. It covers install, pairing, every feature and setting, the config file, voice, troubleshooting and uninstall.
Contact
Herdling is open source. The code is at github.com/zog-tech/herdling.
- Bugs and feature requests: open an issue at github.com/zog-tech/herdling/issues
- Questions and ideas: start a discussion at github.com/zog-tech/herdling/discussions
- Security problems: do not use a public issue. Use private vulnerability reporting on GitHub (github.com/zog-tech/herdling/security/advisories/new) or read github.com/zog-tech/herdling/blob/main/SECURITY.md
- Anything else: write to admin@zog-tech.com.
Please tell us your phone model, your computer's system and what you tried.
Questions and answers
What is herdlingd?
herdlingd is the companion program for Herdling. It runs on your computer next to herdr. When the app connects over SSH, herdlingd answers its questions: which agents run, what they said and how much usage is left. It also pairs phones and sends the notifications. herdlingd only accepts the keys of phones that you paired, and those keys can only run herdlingd rpc.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no sign-up and no login. You pair each phone with each computer directly.
How do I set it up?
Install herdr, turn on SSH, then build herdlingd from source (github.com/zog-tech/herdling) and run herdlingd install. Run herdlingd pair and scan the QR code in the app (Settings > Hosts > Add host). The guide has each step: herdling.zog-tech.com/docs
Can I use Herdling away from home?
Yes, if your phone can reach your computer. Use a VPN to your home network, such as WireGuard or Tailscale, and set the computer's address in Settings > Hosts to its VPN address. You can also add a computer with Set up with password, which works well over a VPN.
Herdling cannot find my computer.
Check that herdlingd runs: on the computer, run herdlingd install again. It restarts the service. Check that your phone and your computer are on the same network, and that Herdling has local network access (on iPhone: Settings > Herdling > Local Network). If automatic discovery does not work on your network, tap Add by address and type the computer's IP address or .local name and the pairing code.
Pairing fails or the code does not work.
The pairing code works once and only for 5 minutes. Run herdlingd pair again to get a new code. A firewall on the computer can block the pairing port (7790 by default) or SSH (port 22). Allow both on your local network. If your SSH server uses another port, set ssh_port in ~/.config/herdling/config.toml.
The app says to update herdlingd.
Update herdlingd (git pull, cargo build --release in the companion folder) and run herdlingd install again. Some features, such as automations and renames, need a recent version.
I do not get notifications.
Allow notifications for Herdling in your phone's settings. In Herdling, open Settings and check the Finished and Needs you switches. If Quiet at the computer is on, Herdling stays silent while you are active in herdr at your computer and for 5 minutes after. Your computer needs an internet connection to send a notification.
Voice input or read aloud does not work.
Allow microphone and speech recognition access for Herdling in your phone's settings. Voice input can run on your phone or on your computer. To use your computer, set stt_command (speech to text) or tts_command (text to speech) in ~/.config/herdling/config.toml. Settings > Voice > Speech log shows the last errors.
How do I remove a phone or a computer?
In Herdling, open Settings, tap the computer and tap the trash button. If the computer is online, it also forgets your phone's key. To stop all access, uninstall herdlingd from the computer (the guide has the commands).
How much does it cost?
Herdling and herdlingd are free. There are no in-app purchases and no ads.
Is my data safe?
Your phone talks only to your computers, over SSH. Zog Tech runs no server for Herdling and keeps no copy of your data. Read the privacy policy: herdling.zog-tech.com/privacy