FAQ

Your first hour with Atto

New here? Start with Getting started — it walks the whole first session in order. The short answers:

What do I do first, before I have any documents?

Create a project, then write down what you already know on Documents — one relative, a rough birth year, and the town. That note is what Atto turns into search links. You do not need a single certificate to start.

Do I need an existing family tree file?

No. If you have a GEDCOM (.ged) from Ancestry, MyHeritage, or FamilySearch, importing it on Home fills your tree instantly. If you don’t, start from the note above and your tree fills in as you approve finds.

Where does Atto actually search?

It doesn’t search for you. It builds ready-to-open links into Antenati, FamilySearch, Ellis Island and others from your notes, and you browse. That’s deliberate — no scraping, no terms-of-service trouble, no bots against consulate systems.

What is “Approve” and why does everything wait there?

Approve is the one place a record is added to your family tree, and only you can do it. Anything Atto or an AI helper finds sits in that queue until you say yes. Rejecting costs nothing and changes nothing.

What is the “practice run”?

Made-up sample records that ship with the app so you can watch the Find → Approve loop happen once before you spend an evening on real archives. They are not real ancestors and they never change your tree.

My tree is empty and the Tree tab shows nothing. Is it broken?

No — a new project starts with an empty tree file. Import a GEDCOM, or approve your first find, and the chart appears.

Everything else

Does Atto decide if I qualify for Italian citizenship?

No. Atto does not judge eligibility, file applications, or give legal advice.

Do I need to be a genealogy expert?

No. If you can gather documents and follow a checklist, you’re the audience. Atto helps you stay organized — it doesn’t replace careful research or professional counsel when you need it.

Is this legal advice?

No. Atto is software for organizing records. Laws change. For legal questions, talk to a qualified professional.

Do I need Terminal?

No for the normal desktop app. Download it, drag Atto out of the installer window, and open it — like other desktop apps. (Only the optional AI helper for Cursor/Claude may ask power users for a one-time Terminal step — see MCP setup. You can ignore that entirely.)

Which Macs?

Macs with an Apple chip (M1, M2, M3, or M4) and macOS 13 or newer. Older Intel Macs are not supported in this kit.

Is the app checked by Apple?

Yes — signed and notarized. After you drag Atto out of the download, a normal double-click should work. If Mac still warns, right-click the app → Open (the Setup PDF shows this).

How is this different from Ancestry?

Your records stay on your computer unless you choose to share. Atto is an organizer kit, not a hosted tree service.

Do I have to use AI / MCP?

No. The desktop app is the whole product for most people. The AI helper is optional and only for folks who already use tools like Cursor or Claude. Skip it if you want zero AI near family documents — nothing breaks. Details: youratto.com/mcp.

What does the MCP add-on actually do?

It lets a trusted local AI assistant request strip-safe context and suggest research steps. It does not auto-approve tree changes, file citizenship paperwork, or replace the Approve screen in the app. Step-by-step: MCP setup.

Can I share a tree with family without uploading everything to Ancestry?

Optionally. You can build a redacted share site and invite specific people. Default remains: files stay on your computer until you choose otherwise.

Can law firms use this?

Yes. Paralegals and staff can keep client civil records organized locally while the firm handles legal advice and filings. Atto does not replace an attorney.

Can I move my vault?

Yes — move ~/AttoVault/ like any local folder (keep backups).

Windows or Linux?

Mac — Apple Silicon, notarized DMG.
Linux — public CLI on the Linux page; windowed desktop is invite-only (email Support after purchase).
Windows app — x64 desktop kit, Authenticode-signed via Azure Artifact Signing (publisher: Claudio Barone). Download the zip from the Windows kit page, then Import license after Stripe claim. SmartScreen may still warn once for a new publisher — if so, More info → Run anyway (not a refund reason).

How do I get app updates?

In Atto, open Home → Advanced — updates & support → Check for updates. On Mac, when a newer signed package is available, use Install update (Atto downloads, verifies a signature, and restarts). Otherwise open the download page and install over the old app — your vault stays on disk. Windows reinstalls from the zip until the signed updater lands. Kit: Mac · Windows.

What about the license?

Pay once, download license.json from the claim page, then click Import license in Atto and pick that file — prefer Import license; Terminal only if the picker is broken. Until you import a license, the app's screens stay locked — your vault folder is still ordinary files on disk. If the claim link expired, reopen the claim page to refresh it — or email Support with your Stripe receipt for a re-issue.

Is there a refund?

No refunds. Atto is a digital download. Once the kit (or license claim) is available to you, the sale is final on Stripe. That includes wrong-platform purchases (Intel Mac, or Windows when you expected a Microsoft Store / fully reputation-established retail installer) and expected Windows SmartScreen while a new publisher builds reputation. EU/UK: immediate digital delivery means you lose the 14-day withdrawal right once the claim is available — see Terms.

Claim link says 410 / gone after a refund?

That is the claim page: after a Stripe refund or lost dispute, reopening the claim URL returns HTTP 410 (gone) by design. If you already saved license.json on disk, the app can still verify it offline. Never email license.json — describe the problem and include your order reference; we’ll provide a secure next step if a file is truly needed. The $299 digital download is still sale-final (see Terms).

Will Atto book consulate appointments for me?

No bots. No Prenot@Mi scraping. No appointment automation.

Where do I get support?

License, order, refund, or anything with documents / personal IDs → Support ([email protected]). Works in any browser — you do not need a Mac or a desktop mail app.

Desktop kits: Apple Silicon Mac (M1–M4, macOS 13+) and Windows x64. Intel Macs are not supported.

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