Terms of service

Effective date: November 3, 2026

These terms govern your use of the Baluard website, software, and support channels. By using them, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, do not use them. Baluard is pre-release software, so please read the sections on backups and warranties carefully.

The software and its license

Baluard is free and open-source software. The software is licensed under GPL-3.0; the license text and copyright notices in the source repository govern copying, modification, and redistribution. These terms do not take away rights granted by that license.

The GPL-3.0 license covers the source code only. The Baluard name, logo, and brand assets are not covered by that license; all rights in them are reserved. Do not use the Baluard name or logo without our prior written authorization and consent.

Baluard stores encrypted vaults on your devices and can sync through a git provider you choose. We do not provide a hosted vault, a Baluard account, or a recovery service.

Your responsibilities

You are responsible for your devices, your master password, your recovery phrase, and the security of the git provider and other services you choose. Keep current backups of important vault data and store recovery information separately and securely.

We cannot recover a lost master password or recovery phrase, decrypt your vault, or restore data that exists only on a lost or damaged device. Test your backup and recovery process before depending on it.

Use Baluard only where you are legally allowed to do so and only for lawful purposes. Do not use the website or support channels to attack others, distribute malware, violate privacy, or interfere with the software or other users.

Pre-release status and changes

Baluard is under active development. Features, file formats, interfaces, and platform support can change. A release can contain defects, including defects that cause data loss or interrupt access to a vault. Review release notes and keep backups before upgrading.

We can add, change, suspend, or discontinue features, downloads, documentation, or support at any time. We do not promise that any particular feature or platform will remain available.

Third-party services

Git providers, app stores, download hosts, operating systems, and other third-party services are independent from Baluard. Their terms and privacy policies apply. We are not responsible for their availability, security, acts, or omissions. A third party can suspend or restrict an account or service even when Baluard itself continues to work.

Support and security reports

Support is provided on a reasonable-efforts basis through [email protected]. We do not guarantee a response time or a resolution. Do not send passwords, recovery phrases, private keys, or vault exports.

Report suspected vulnerabilities through the private process in SECURITY.md. Do not publish exploitable details before we have had a reasonable opportunity to investigate and respond.

No warranty

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Baluard, the website, documentation, and support are provided "as is" and "as available", with all faults and without warranties of any kind. We disclaim express, implied, and statutory warranties, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non-infringement, availability, accuracy, and freedom from data loss or security vulnerabilities.

You choose and use Baluard at your own risk. You are responsible for deciding whether it is suitable for your needs and for maintaining independent backups.

Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, or for lost profits, revenues, goodwill, data, access to accounts, or business opportunities, arising from or related to Baluard or these terms.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability for all claims arising from or related to Baluard or these terms will not exceed the amount you paid us to use Baluard during the twelve months before the event giving rise to the claim. Baluard is currently provided without charge.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

General terms

If a provision of these terms is unenforceable, the remaining provisions stay in effect. A failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver. These terms and the applicable open-source license are the entire agreement between you and us about Baluard.

We can update these terms as the project changes. The effective date at the top shows the latest revision. Continued use after a change means you accept the updated terms.

Questions about these terms: [email protected].