> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.kouch.dev/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.kouch.dev/about-kouch/promises.md). # What Kouch never does What Kouch never does with your games, your system files, your PC and your data. These are rules Kouch is built around, not settings. They hold in every version, including this alpha. ## Your games and system files * **Kouch never downloads, shares, sends or bundles games, BIOS, firmware or keys.** Not from the internet, not over your network, not in a `.kod` file, not through Steam. You bring your own games and your own system files. * **The only thing Kouch ever downloads is an emulator**, and only when you import a profile and choose **Install** or **Update**. It comes from the emulator's official source named in the profile, over HTTPS, and its checksum is verified. * **Your system files folder is off limits.** Kouch puts files there only when you hand them to it (by dropping them onto Kouch or with **Add system files…**), and then only copies them. Otherwise it only checks whether each emulator's `bios` folder is empty. It never syncs, sends, receives, packs, unpacks or moves what's inside, and the same goes for any path a profile marks as system files. * **Kouch never moves, renames or deletes a game file.** **Remove from library** takes a game off the list; the file stays where it is. * **Online play never sends a game.** Everyone needs their own copy. Kouch compares checksums, never files, and a shared collection only lists games. ## Your PC * **Kouch never needs a driver.** Controllers reach emulators over a local network protocol they already understand. * **Nothing changes on your disks without you seeing it first.** Setup lists everything it will do before it does it, and it only ever adds what's missing. * **Emulator settings are backed up** before Kouch changes them for the first time, and **Restore emulator config** puts them back. * **Mods are data only.** Kouch refuses programs and scripts, and removes everything a mod put in place after each game, even after a crash. * **Themes are data only**, and every file in one is checked. * **Plugins are sealed off.** A plugin can only use what you approved, can't touch your files or network, and can never reach system files. ## Your data * **No tracking without your permission.** Today Kouch sends nothing about you or your games. It goes online only for things you can see: emulator installs, update checks and updates, cover art (which you can turn off in **Settings › Game art**), Steam, and Discord if you link it. Performance reports that help find the best settings (the frame rate, your system's specs and the settings in use) are coming later, and only if you turn them on. * **Nothing installs by itself.** Kouch checks for new emulator versions (**Check for emulator updates automatically** in Settings › Emulators turns that off), but installing updates automatically is off until you turn it on, per emulator. A profile can't turn it on for you, and a newer profile is only ever applied by you. * **Steam Cloud keeps to your saves.** Cloud sync is on by default for every emulator (you can turn it off per emulator), and it only ever sends that emulator's saves, states, screenshots and settings to **your own Steam account**. Never your games, never system files. * **Transfers stay at home.** Transfer and LAN play only talk to PCs on your own network, need a 6-digit pairing code, and are encrypted. * **Reports are yours to send.** **Create a report** saves a file to your Desktop; it never includes game names or paths, saves, firmware, keys or your Steam account, and Kouch doesn't send it anywhere. * **Chat stays on this PC.** Kouch keeps your Steam conversations only on this PC, and **Settings › Players › Friends and chat** turns that off or clears them. Discord messages aren't kept at all. * **Your SteamGridDB key is never shown again** after you enter it, and never goes into reports, exports or transfers. Once Kouch is on Steam it follows your own Steam account through Steam Cloud, encrypted so only your account can read it. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.