# OvertChat

OvertChat is a tidy, uncluttered home for everyday AI chat. Conversations, projects and a library of past chats live on your own instance, and there are native apps for iOS and Android when you're away from a browser.

It's built for a household. You set it up once, then give each person their own login, so everyone gets their own conversations on the same models.

**Why run OvertChat on ElfHosted?**

- **AI included.** Your OvertChat arrives with an ElfHosted model ready to go, so you can start chatting on day one without signing up for a provider or pasting in an API key.
- **Room to grow.** Add your own provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, DeepSeek, or anything OpenAI-compatible such as OpenRouter) whenever you want more models or more usage. It sits alongside the included one.
- **One subscription, the whole family.** Everyone gets an account of their own on your instance.

[Get a 7-day trial of ElfHosted OvertChat! 🪄](<https://store.elfhosted.com/product/overtchat/>)

## How do I access OvertChat?

OvertChat is available:

- From your dashboard: [https://your-username.elfhosted.com](<https://your-username.elfhosted.com>)
- Directly: [https://your-username-overtchat.elfhosted.com](<https://your-username-overtchat.elfhosted.com>)

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Signed-in users see their own URLs**
>
> The addresses above show the general pattern. [Sign in](<https://docs-internal.elfhosted.com/app/overtchat/>) and these become your personal, clickable links.

## How do I get started?

1. Open OvertChat from your dashboard. The very first time, you'll be asked to create an account. **The first account becomes the administrator**, so do this as soon as your app is ready. If someone else ever gets there first, reset OvertChat in ElfBot and sign up again. Everyone else signs in with an OvertChat account you give them.
2. Start a new chat. "ElfHosted AI (included)" is already selected.
3. To add family members, go to **Settings → Users** and create an account for each person. They sign in with the email and password you set, and can change the password afterwards under **Settings → Security**.

### Can I use the mobile apps?

Yes. Install OvertChat from the [App Store](<https://apps.apple.com/us/app/overtchat/id6812165221>) or [Google Play](<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overtchat.mobile>), and when it asks for a server, enter your OvertChat address (shown above). Sign in with the same account you use in the browser.

## Is AI included?

Yes. OvertChat comes with an ElfHosted model already configured, and it runs on an allowance included with your plan. The allowance resets daily, which suits everyday chat for a household. If it runs out, OvertChat shows a message saying when it comes back.

The included model is chosen by ElfHosted and kept deliberately simple: plain, fast chat. Tools such as saved memories aren't used with it.

### Can I use my own provider?

Yes, and it's the way to get a choice of models, heavier use, or tools like memories. As the administrator, open **Settings → Models → Add model**, pick your provider, and paste in your API key. Your own models appear in the model picker next to the included one, for everyone on your instance.

## What else can I switch on?

OvertChat can search the web if you give it a search provider. As the administrator, open **Settings → Services**, set web search to Brave Search API, and add your own Brave Search API key. Search is off until you do.

## How do I get support for OvertChat?

1. For general use of OvertChat, refer to the [official site](<https://github.com/yoloyash/overtchat>) or to one of the links in the resources section below.
2. For specific support re your ElfHosted configuration / account, see the [ElfHosted support options](</get-help/>)!

## OvertChat resources

- [OvertChat (*official site*)](<https://github.com/yoloyash/overtchat>)
- [OvertChat Website](<https://overtchat.com>)
- [OvertChat iOS app](<https://apps.apple.com/us/app/overtchat/id6812165221>)
- [OvertChat Android app](<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overtchat.mobile>)