FAQs
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers about our design process, pricing, & creative collaboration approach.
General Questions
Learn more about Codexa, how the platform operates behind the scenes, and how it helps teams automate.
How does code mutation work?
When you send code to an AI tool, Pretense intercepts it locally, replaces proprietary logic with structurally equivalent but semantically different code, then sends the mutated version. When the AI responds, Pretense reverses the mutation so you get accurate results with your original code intact.
How does code mutation work?
When you send code to an AI tool, Pretense intercepts it locally, replaces proprietary logic with structurally equivalent but semantically different code, then sends the mutated version. When the AI responds, Pretense reverses the mutation so you get accurate results with your original code intact.
What is Pretense?
Pretense is a local-first AI firewall that mutates proprietary code identifiers before they reach any LLM API. It protects your IP from Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and any AI coding tool while preserving full AI context for high-quality responses.
What is Pretense?
Pretense is a local-first AI firewall that mutates proprietary code identifiers before they reach any LLM API. It protects your IP from Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and any AI coding tool while preserving full AI context for high-quality responses.
Who is Pretense built for?
Pretense is built for developers, security engineers, CISOs, and engineering leaders who use AI coding tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, Cursor) and need to protect proprietary code, trade secrets, and API keys from leaking to LLM providers.
Who is Pretense built for?
Pretense is built for developers, security engineers, CISOs, and engineering leaders who use AI coding tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, Cursor) and need to protect proprietary code, trade secrets, and API keys from leaking to LLM providers.
Do I need prior ML or AI experience?
No. Pretense is designed for any developer using AI coding tools. No ML or AI expertise is needed — just install the CLI and it works automatically in the background.
Do I need prior ML or AI experience?
No. Pretense is designed for any developer using AI coding tools. No ML or AI expertise is needed — just install the CLI and it works automatically in the background.
What types of code can Pretense protect?
Anything from application source code and infrastructure configs to API keys, database schemas, and proprietary algorithms. Pretense protects any text-based code or configuration that you share with AI tools.
What types of code can Pretense protect?
Anything from application source code and infrastructure configs to API keys, database schemas, and proprietary algorithms. Pretense protects any text-based code or configuration that you share with AI tools.
Is Pretense cloud-hosted or local?
Pretense is local-first. All code mutation happens on your machine — your source code never leaves your environment. The cloud dashboard is optional and used only for team analytics and audit logs.
Is Pretense cloud-hosted or local?
Pretense is local-first. All code mutation happens on your machine — your source code never leaves your environment. The cloud dashboard is optional and used only for team analytics and audit logs.
Does Pretense scale with my team?
Yes. Pretense scales from solo developers to enterprise teams with hundreds of seats. Per-seat pricing, centralized policy management, and SSO make it easy to grow.
Does Pretense scale with my team?
Yes. Pretense scales from solo developers to enterprise teams with hundreds of seats. Per-seat pricing, centralized policy management, and SSO make it easy to grow.
Does Pretense replace my existing dev tools?
No. Pretense complements your existing stack — it doesn't replace your IDE, AI tools, or CI/CD pipeline. It adds a protective layer between your code and AI services.
Does Pretense replace my existing dev tools?
No. Pretense complements your existing stack — it doesn't replace your IDE, AI tools, or CI/CD pipeline. It adds a protective layer between your code and AI services.
Is Pretense suitable for both small and large teams?
Yes. Solo developers can use the free plan, while large enterprises benefit from centralized policy management, SSO, and dedicated support on the Enterprise plan.
Is Pretense suitable for both small and large teams?
Yes. Solo developers can use the free plan, while large enterprises benefit from centralized policy management, SSO, and dedicated support on the Enterprise plan.
Setup & Installation
Everything you need to get Codexa installed, configured, and running smoothly.
How do I install Pretense?
Install the Pretense CLI with npm install -g @pretense/cli, then run pretense init in your project directory. The CLI will guide you through connecting your repos and configuring mutation rules.
How do I install Pretense?
Install the Pretense CLI with npm install -g @pretense/cli, then run pretense init in your project directory. The CLI will guide you through connecting your repos and configuring mutation rules.
What are the system requirements?
Pretense works on macOS, Windows, and Linux. It requires Node.js 18+ and Git. The CLI runs locally — no cloud dependency is required for code mutation.
What are the system requirements?
Pretense works on macOS, Windows, and Linux. It requires Node.js 18+ and Git. The CLI runs locally — no cloud dependency is required for code mutation.
How do I deploy Pretense to production?
Add Pretense to your CI/CD pipeline with a single command. It runs as a pre-commit hook or CI step, automatically mutating code before it reaches any AI service.
How do I deploy Pretense to production?
Add Pretense to your CI/CD pipeline with a single command. It runs as a pre-commit hook or CI step, automatically mutating code before it reaches any AI service.
Does Pretense integrate with my AI tools?
Yes — Pretense works with GitHub Copilot, Cursor, ChatGPT, Claude, and any AI coding assistant. It sits between your code and the AI, so no tool-specific configuration is needed.
Does Pretense integrate with my AI tools?
Yes — Pretense works with GitHub Copilot, Cursor, ChatGPT, Claude, and any AI coding assistant. It sits between your code and the AI, so no tool-specific configuration is needed.
Does Pretense require Docker?
No. Pretense runs as a lightweight CLI tool. Docker is not required. It installs via npm and runs natively on your machine.
Does Pretense require Docker?
No. Pretense runs as a lightweight CLI tool. Docker is not required. It installs via npm and runs natively on your machine.
Is version control supported?
Yes. Pretense is fully Git-native. All mutation rules and configurations are stored in your repo and version-controlled alongside your code.
Is version control supported?
Yes. Pretense is fully Git-native. All mutation rules and configurations are stored in your repo and version-controlled alongside your code.
Workflows & Automation
Understand how to build, run, and optimize workflows using Codexa’s automation engine.
Can I use Pretense with my existing CI/CD?
Yes. Pretense integrates with GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, and any CI/CD pipeline. You can trigger mutation via webhooks, pre-commit hooks, or scheduled scans.
Can I use Pretense with my existing CI/CD?
Yes. Pretense integrates with GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, and any CI/CD pipeline. You can trigger mutation via webhooks, pre-commit hooks, or scheduled scans.
Does Pretense support monorepos?
Absolutely. Pretense handles monorepos with per-package mutation rules, allowing you to configure different protection levels for different parts of your codebase.
Does Pretense support monorepos?
Absolutely. Pretense handles monorepos with per-package mutation rules, allowing you to configure different protection levels for different parts of your codebase.
Can I monitor code protection in real time?
Yes — the Pretense dashboard shows real-time mutation logs, blocked secrets, token usage, and audit trails for every AI interaction across your team.
Can I monitor code protection in real time?
Yes — the Pretense dashboard shows real-time mutation logs, blocked secrets, token usage, and audit trails for every AI interaction across your team.
How does Pretense handle errors?
Pretense includes intelligent fallback logic. If mutation fails for any reason, it can either block the request or pass through with a warning, depending on your configuration. All errors are logged in the audit trail.
How does Pretense handle errors?
Pretense includes intelligent fallback logic. If mutation fails for any reason, it can either block the request or pass through with a warning, depending on your configuration. All errors are logged in the audit trail.
Can Pretense protect multiple programming languages?
Yes. Pretense supports JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Go, Rust, Java, and more. Language-specific mutation rules ensure accurate protection across your entire stack.
Can Pretense protect multiple programming languages?
Yes. Pretense supports JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Go, Rust, Java, and more. Language-specific mutation rules ensure accurate protection across your entire stack.
Billing & Plans
Find answers about pricing, subscriptions, upgrades, and payment options.
Do you offer a free plan?
Yes — the free tier lets you protect up to 3 repos with full code mutation, secret blocking, and audit logging at no cost. It's ideal for individual developers and small projects.
Do you offer a free plan?
Yes — the free tier lets you protect up to 3 repos with full code mutation, secret blocking, and audit logging at no cost. It's ideal for individual developers and small projects.
How is usage calculated?
Pricing is based on the number of protected repositories and developer seats on your team. Token usage for AI interactions is metered separately, with generous allowances on each plan.
How is usage calculated?
Pricing is based on the number of protected repositories and developer seats on your team. Token usage for AI interactions is metered separately, with generous allowances on each plan.
Do I need to pay for additional repositories?
No. All paid plans include unlimited repository protection. The free plan supports up to 3 repos.
Do I need to pay for additional repositories?
No. All paid plans include unlimited repository protection. The free plan supports up to 3 repos.
Can I upgrade or downgrade anytime?
Yes. Plan changes apply instantly and prorated billing is handled automatically. You can upgrade or downgrade at any time from your dashboard.
Can I upgrade or downgrade anytime?
Yes. Plan changes apply instantly and prorated billing is handled automatically. You can upgrade or downgrade at any time from your dashboard.
Do you offer refunds?
Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Monthly plans can be canceled anytime with no further charges.
Do you offer refunds?
Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Monthly plans can be canceled anytime with no further charges.
Do you support team billing?
Yes — you can add multiple members, assign roles, and manage seat-based billing from your team dashboard. Pro and Enterprise plans include team management features.
Do you support team billing?
Yes — you can add multiple members, assign roles, and manage seat-based billing from your team dashboard. Pro and Enterprise plans include team management features.