Manifest runs in two modes: Cloud (hosted at app.manifest.build) and Local (embedded on your machine). Both share the same features — the difference is where data lives and how auth works.
Comparison
| Cloud | Local |
|---|
| Setup | Sign up + API key | Zero config |
| Data storage | PostgreSQL (hosted) | SQLite on your machine |
| Dashboard | app.manifest.build | http://127.0.0.1:2099 |
| Auth | Email/password or OAuth (Google, GitHub, Discord) | Auto-login (loopback trust) |
| Multi-device | Yes — access from any browser | No — localhost only |
| API key | Generated in dashboard (mnfst_...) | Auto-generated (mnfst_local_...) |
| Email alerts | Built-in (platform mail) | Requires provider config (Mailgun/Resend/SendGrid) |
| Telemetry interval | ~30 seconds | ~10 seconds |
| Privacy | Metadata only (no message content) | 100% on your machine |
| Cost | Free | Free |
When to use Cloud
- You work across multiple machines.
- You want email alerts without configuring a mail provider.
- You want a managed experience with no local server.
When to use Local
- Privacy is paramount — no data leaves your machine.
- You don’t need multi-device access.
- You prefer zero-config, offline-capable tooling.
Switching modes
# Switch to cloud
openclaw config set plugins.entries.manifest.config.mode cloud
openclaw config set plugins.entries.manifest.config.apiKey "mnfst_YOUR_KEY"
openclaw gateway restart
# Switch to local
openclaw config set plugins.entries.manifest.config.mode local
openclaw gateway restart
Switching modes does not migrate data. Cloud and local have separate databases.
