What can a RunDesk AI employee actually do?

Your RunDesk AI employee handles the admin work that eats up your day. It triages and summarizes your email inbox every morning, manages your calendar and schedules meetings, researches topics and delivers concise briefings, drafts emails and content for your review, monitors websites and competitors, fills out forms and navigates web applications, and sends you proactive daily briefings and reminders. It communicates through Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord — you message it like you would a colleague, and it gets to work.

How is RunDesk different from ChatGPT or Claude?

ChatGPT and Claude are chatbots — they answer questions when you ask them, but they can’t take action. RunDesk gives you an AI that actually does things. It reads your real email, manages your real calendar, browses the real web, and runs tasks on a schedule even while you sleep. It remembers every conversation and learns your preferences over time. Think of it this way: ChatGPT is a consultant you have to call every time. RunDesk is an employee who’s already at their desk when you arrive.

How long does it take to get set up?

Your AI employee is live within 24 hours of completing the intake form. We configure your assistant’s personality, connect it to your messaging app, set up your email and calendar integrations during a short onboarding call, and activate your daily briefings and automations. Most clients are sending their first message within a day of signing up.

Is my data safe with RunDesk?

Yes. Your AI employee runs on a dedicated, isolated server — it’s not shared with anyone else. All connections are encrypted using WireGuard, the same technology used by major cybersecurity companies. There are no open ports exposed to the public internet. Your conversations, emails, and files are never visible to other clients. Our team monitors the technical health of your instance but never reads the content of your conversations.

Can your team read my conversations or emails?

No. Our monitoring system tracks operational metrics only — uptime, error counts, resource usage, and message volume. We see data like “47 messages processed today” but never the content of those messages. Your assistant has strict security rules that prevent it from sharing any of your data with our ops channel or anyone else.

What AI model powers my assistant and where does my data go?

Your assistant uses large language models from providers like Anthropic (Claude) and OpenAI (GPT) for its reasoning. When you interact with your assistant, your messages are processed by these model providers according to their privacy policies. We route traffic through our secure proxy to optimize costs and performance. We can provide details about the specific model in use upon request.

Does my AI employee have access to all my files?

No. Your assistant only accesses files inside a dedicated “RunDesk” folder in your Google Drive or OneDrive. It never browses, reads, or touches anything outside that folder. You control exactly what your assistant can see by choosing what to put in the shared folder.

Can I make my assistant forget about a file?

Yes. Just tell your assistant to forget a file and it will remove the file from your shared folder, clear any notes or summaries it created, and stop referencing it entirely. If you need all your data removed, our team handles full data erasure requests promptly under PIPEDA guidelines.

Do I need a ChatGPT or Claude subscription to use RunDesk?

No. Your RunDesk plan includes all the AI processing power your assistant needs. We handle the AI models, the infrastructure, and the costs behind the scenes. You never need to sign up for ChatGPT, Claude, Anthropic, OpenAI, or any other AI service. One monthly bill from RunDesk covers everything.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. All plans are month-to-month with no long-term contracts. If you decide to cancel, we shut down your assistant and permanently delete all data from our servers within 30 days. If you’d like a copy of your conversation history before cancellation, just let us know and we’ll provide it.

Which messaging apps does RunDesk work with?

RunDesk works with Telegram (recommended for the easiest setup and richest features), WhatsApp, Discord, and Slack. You can connect up to three channels on the Professional plan and unlimited channels on Enterprise. Your assistant maintains the same memory and personality across all connected channels.

Will my AI employee send emails or delete things without asking me?

Never. Your assistant has strict safety rules that require it to show you a draft and get your explicit approval before sending any email or message. It will never delete files, emails, or calendar events without listing exactly what will be removed and getting your confirmation. It will never make purchases or financial transactions. These rules are built into the assistant’s core and cannot be overridden.

Does my assistant remember our past conversations?

Yes. Your assistant has persistent memory that carries across every conversation. It remembers your preferences, past requests, key details about your business, and the context of ongoing projects. Unlike ChatGPT which resets with each conversation, your RunDesk assistant builds a continuous, evolving understanding of you and your work.

What cloud storage does RunDesk work with?

RunDesk works with Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. If you have a Gmail, Google Workspace, Outlook, Hotmail, or Microsoft 365 account, you’re already set up. Your assistant uses a shared folder in your existing cloud storage — no new accounts or apps needed.

Why not just hire a virtual assistant?

A human virtual assistant costs $1,500 to $3,000 per month, works limited hours, needs training, takes vacations, and can only do one thing at a time. Your RunDesk AI employee works 24/7, costs a fraction of a human VA, handles multiple tasks simultaneously, never forgets instructions, and gets better over time. For admin work that doesn’t require human judgment — email triage, scheduling, research, data entry — an AI employee is faster, cheaper, and more reliable.

How is RunDesk different from other managed AI hosting providers?

Most managed hosting providers give you a server with AI software installed and say “good luck.” RunDesk is a managed service, not managed hosting. We configure your assistant to your specific business, map skills to your workflows, set up custom automations, write your assistant’s personality, handle security and compliance, proactively monitor your instance, and provide ongoing support and optimization. The difference is between getting a server and getting an employee.

RunDesk Answers

Q: Do I need any technical skills to use RunDesk?

No. You fill out a short form telling us about your business and what you need help with. Our team handles everything technical — the server setup, security configuration, AI model selection, integrations, and ongoing maintenance. You just open Telegram and start chatting with your assistant. If you can send a text message, you can use RunDesk.

Q: How much does RunDesk cost?

RunDesk offers three plans: Starter at $199 per month for individuals who need email and calendar management, Professional at $499 per month for businesses who want everything included (our most popular plan), and Enterprise at $999 per month for teams who need custom integrations and priority support. All plans include secure hosting, daily briefings, proactive monitoring, encrypted backups, and regular updates. There are no setup fees and no long-term contracts.

200 questions about managed AI assistants, Aiva, pricing, security, and how RunDesk compares to the alternatives.

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About RunDesk (18)Features & Capabilities (21)Pricing & Plans (15)Getting Started (13)Privacy & Security (16)Comparisons (19)Industry Use Cases (22)Communication & Channels (14)Daily Operations (16)Technical & Infrastructure (16)Trust & Support (15)Account Management (15)

About RunDesk

What is RunDesk?

RunDesk is a fully managed AI employee service that gives small business owners a dedicated AI assistant named Aiva. Unlike standalone AI tools, RunDesk handles all the setup, integrations, security, and ongoing maintenance — the client simply chats with Aiva through Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord to get real work done like email triage, calendar management, research, and content drafting.

Who is RunDesk for?

RunDesk is designed for non-technical small business owners who need administrative and operational support but don't want to hire a full-time assistant or manage AI tools themselves. Typical clients include real estate agents, marketing agency owners, lawyers, healthcare practitioners, consultants, coaches, accountants, and solo operators across professional services.

Who makes RunDesk?

RunDesk is built and operated by A. I. Tech Inc., a Canadian technology company based in Canada. You can reach the RunDesk team at hello@rundesk.co or visit rundesk.co to learn more about the service.

What does 'managed AI employee' mean?

A managed AI employee means RunDesk takes care of everything behind the scenes — server setup, security configuration, AI model selection, integrations with your tools, ongoing maintenance, updates, and 24/7 monitoring. The client doesn't need any technical skills; they just chat with their AI assistant Aiva and get work done.

Is RunDesk a chatbot?

No. Unlike chatbots or conversational AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude, RunDesk's assistant Aiva takes real action in your business systems. Aiva reads your actual email, manages your real calendar, browses the web, handles files in your cloud storage, and runs scheduled tasks automatically. It's an AI that works for you, not just a tool you ask questions to.

What is Aiva?

Aiva is the name of your dedicated AI assistant when you subscribe to RunDesk. Aiva is configured specifically for your business during onboarding — with your preferred personality, communication style, skills, and integrations. Aiva remembers all your conversations, preferences, and business context across every session.

How is RunDesk different from just using ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a conversational tool — you ask it questions and get answers, but it can't access your email, calendar, or files. RunDesk's Aiva is connected to your real business systems, runs scheduled tasks automatically (like morning briefings and email triage), remembers your entire history, and is managed end-to-end by a team that handles all the technical setup and maintenance.

Does RunDesk replace a virtual assistant?

RunDesk can handle many of the tasks a virtual assistant does — email triage, calendar management, research, content drafting, reminders, and lead follow-up — at a fraction of the cost. For tasks that require human judgment, physical presence, or phone calls, a human VA is still necessary. Many RunDesk clients use Aiva alongside a part-time VA to cover both.

Can non-technical people use RunDesk?

Absolutely. RunDesk is specifically designed for non-technical business owners. The entire setup is handled by the RunDesk team during a white-glove onboarding process, and you interact with Aiva by simply chatting in plain language through your preferred messaging app — Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord. No technical skills required.

Is RunDesk available in Canada?

Yes. RunDesk is built and operated by A. I. Tech Inc., a Canadian company, and is fully available to Canadian businesses. RunDesk is PIPEDA compliant, making it a strong choice for Canadian small business owners who need to meet Canadian privacy requirements.

Is RunDesk available in the United States?

Yes. RunDesk serves clients across North America, including the United States. Your Aiva assistant can be configured for any timezone and integrates with all major productivity tools used by US businesses, including Gmail, Google Calendar, Outlook, Google Drive, and OneDrive.

What kind of businesses use RunDesk?

RunDesk is used by a wide range of small businesses and professional services firms. Common clients include real estate agents, marketing agencies, law firms, healthcare practices, consultants, coaches, e-commerce operators, accountants, construction companies, and freelancers who need administrative and operational support without hiring full-time staff.

How does RunDesk work day to day?

On a typical day, RunDesk's Aiva sends you a morning briefing with your calendar and email summary, triages your inbox throughout the day, drafts replies for your approval, manages your calendar, handles research requests, and sends an end-of-day wrap-up. You communicate with Aiva by sending messages — including voice notes — through Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord whenever you need something.

Is RunDesk a SaaS product or a service?

RunDesk is a fully managed service, not a self-serve SaaS product. While there is sophisticated technology behind the scenes, the RunDesk team handles all configuration, integration, maintenance, and monitoring. Clients don't log into a dashboard to configure things — they chat with Aiva, and the ops team ensures everything runs smoothly 24/7.

What does RunDesk cost per month?

RunDesk offers three plans: Starter at $199/month, Professional at $499/month (the most popular plan), and Enterprise at $999/month. All plans are month-to-month with no contracts, and every plan comes with a 14-day unconditional money-back guarantee. All AI model costs are included in the subscription.

Can I try RunDesk before committing?

RunDesk offers a 14-day unconditional money-back guarantee on all plans. You get full access to your dedicated Aiva assistant from day one, and if it's not a good fit, you can cancel within 14 days for a complete refund — no questions asked.

What website is RunDesk at?

RunDesk's website is rundesk.co. You can learn about the service, view pricing, and start the onboarding process there. For direct inquiries, you can email the team at hello@rundesk.co.

Is RunDesk legitimate?

Yes. RunDesk is operated by A. I. Tech Inc., a registered Canadian company. RunDesk provides dedicated infrastructure per client, PIPEDA-compliant privacy practices, 24/7 ops monitoring, and a 14-day unconditional money-back guarantee. Every client gets an isolated Docker container with encrypted connections — RunDesk treats security and reliability as foundational requirements.

Features & Capabilities

What can RunDesk's AI assistant do?

RunDesk's Aiva can manage your email (triage, draft replies, summarize), handle calendar scheduling, conduct research and write summaries, draft content and documents, browse the web, manage files in Google Drive or OneDrive, transcribe voice notes with action items, track lead follow-ups, send daily morning briefings and end-of-day wrap-ups, create smart reminders, and integrate with your CRM.

Can RunDesk manage my email?

Yes. RunDesk's Aiva monitors your inbox, categorizes emails by urgency, drafts replies for your review, and summarizes important messages. Aiva never auto-sends emails — every draft requires your approval before sending. This email triage can run on an automatic schedule or on demand whenever you ask.

How does RunDesk handle calendar management?

Aiva connects to your Google Calendar or Outlook calendar to show your schedule, flag conflicts, identify back-to-back meetings, and help with scheduling. Your morning briefing includes a full calendar preview for the day, and Aiva can remind you about upcoming meetings with preparation notes.

Can RunDesk do research for me?

Yes. You can ask Aiva to research any topic — competitors, market trends, potential clients, industry news — and get a concise summary delivered to your chat. RunDesk's Aiva can browse the web in real time, so the research is based on current information, not just a static training dataset.

Can RunDesk draft content and documents?

Yes. Aiva can draft emails, blog posts, social media content, proposals, reports, and other business documents. During onboarding, the RunDesk team configures Aiva's writing style to match your brand voice. All drafts go to you for review and approval before being sent or published.

Does RunDesk support voice notes?

Yes. You can send voice notes to Aiva through Telegram, WhatsApp, or other supported channels. Aiva transcribes the audio, extracts key information and action items, and can act on them — like scheduling a meeting you mentioned or drafting an email you described. It's ideal for busy professionals who think faster than they type.

Can RunDesk manage files in Google Drive?

Yes. Aiva can access, organize, and manage files in a dedicated 'RunDesk' folder within your Google Drive. Aiva can find documents, create new files, and help organize your file structure. File access is restricted to the RunDesk folder only, so your broader Drive remains untouched.

Can RunDesk manage files in OneDrive?

Yes. RunDesk integrates with Microsoft OneDrive in addition to Google Drive. Aiva works within a dedicated 'RunDesk' folder in your OneDrive, helping you manage documents, find files, and stay organized. Access is scoped to the RunDesk folder to protect the rest of your storage.

What are RunDesk's morning briefings?

Every morning, Aiva sends you a briefing through your preferred messaging channel with today's calendar events, a summary of important emails, any overdue tasks or follow-ups, and relevant context for your day. The briefing is customized to your business — a real estate agent's briefing leads with showings and new leads, while a consultant's leads with client meetings.

Does RunDesk send end-of-day summaries?

Yes. Aiva sends an end-of-day wrap-up summarizing what happened during the day: emails handled, meetings completed, tasks accomplished, and anything that still needs attention. This helps you close out the workday with a clear picture and nothing falling through the cracks.

Can RunDesk send weekly previews?

Yes. RunDesk's Aiva sends a weekly preview covering the upcoming week's calendar, pending tasks, follow-ups due, and any preparation needed for important meetings. This runs automatically on a schedule so you start each week with a clear plan.

Does RunDesk have smart reminders?

Yes. Aiva can set and manage reminders based on your conversations and tasks. Unlike basic reminder apps, Aiva understands context — so when a reminder fires, it includes relevant background information and suggested actions, not just a bare notification.

Can RunDesk track leads and follow-ups?

Yes. Aiva can track lead follow-ups, flag overdue outreach, and summarize recent lead activity. This is especially valuable for real estate agents, consultants, and service businesses where timely follow-up directly impacts revenue. Aiva can alert you when a lead hasn't been contacted within your preferred response window.

Does RunDesk integrate with CRM systems?

Yes. RunDesk can integrate with CRM platforms to help manage contacts, track interactions, and surface relevant client information. During onboarding, the RunDesk team configures CRM integration based on your specific platform and workflow needs.

Can RunDesk browse the web?

Yes. Aiva can browse the web in real time to conduct research, check information, monitor competitors, look up addresses and directions, find business information, and gather any data you need. This makes Aiva significantly more useful than AI tools limited to their training data.

Does RunDesk remember previous conversations?

Yes. RunDesk's Aiva has persistent memory across all sessions. Aiva remembers your preferences, past conversations, business context, recurring tasks, and everything you've discussed. You never have to re-explain your business or repeat instructions — Aiva builds a deeper understanding of your work over time.

Can RunDesk run tasks automatically on a schedule?

Yes. RunDesk supports scheduled tasks (cron jobs) that run automatically without you having to ask. Common scheduled tasks include morning briefings, email triage, weekly previews, and lead follow-up checks. These are configured during onboarding based on your preferences and run reliably 24/7.

Can RunDesk draft emails without sending them?

Yes. This is a core safety feature of RunDesk. Aiva always drafts emails and waits for your explicit approval before sending. You review the draft, request changes if needed, and give the go-ahead when you're satisfied. Aiva never auto-sends on your behalf.

What integrations does RunDesk support?

RunDesk integrates with Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft OneDrive, Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, and Discord. These integrations are configured during onboarding by the RunDesk team — you don't need to set up API keys or configure anything yourself.

Can RunDesk handle multiple tasks at once?

Yes. You can give Aiva multiple instructions in a single message, and scheduled tasks run independently of your conversations. For example, Aiva can be running a morning email triage while you're asking it to research a competitor and draft a client proposal — all in parallel.

Can I customize what RunDesk does for me?

Yes. During onboarding, the RunDesk team configures Aiva's personality, communication style, skills, integrations, and scheduled tasks to match your specific business needs. You can also give Aiva ongoing instructions and preferences through regular conversation, and it remembers and adapts over time.

Pricing & Plans

How much does RunDesk cost?

RunDesk offers three monthly plans: Starter at $199/month with 500 AI tasks, Professional at $499/month with 2,000 AI tasks (the most popular plan), and Enterprise at $999/month with 5,000 AI tasks. All plans are month-to-month with no contracts, and all AI model costs are included in the subscription price.

What is included in RunDesk's Starter plan?

RunDesk's Starter plan costs $199/month and includes 500 AI tasks per month, one communication channel (Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord), email management, calendar management, research, content drafting, scheduled briefings, and all the core Aiva features. It's ideal for solo operators with moderate daily volume.

What is included in RunDesk's Professional plan?

RunDesk's Professional plan costs $499/month and is the most popular tier. It includes 2,000 AI tasks per month and up to three communication channels. This plan is suited for busy professionals and small teams who rely heavily on email, calendar, and research throughout the day.

What is included in RunDesk's Enterprise plan?

RunDesk's Enterprise plan costs $999/month and includes 5,000 AI tasks per month with unlimited communication channels. This plan is designed for high-volume businesses that need extensive AI support across multiple workflows and team members.

Does RunDesk require a long-term contract?

No. All RunDesk plans are month-to-month with no contracts or long-term commitments. You can cancel at any time, and every plan includes a 14-day unconditional money-back guarantee so you can try the service risk-free.

Does RunDesk offer a money-back guarantee?

Yes. RunDesk offers a 14-day unconditional money-back guarantee on all plans. If RunDesk isn't the right fit for your business within the first 14 days, you receive a complete refund — no questions asked and no hoops to jump through.

Are AI costs included in RunDesk's pricing?

Yes. All AI model costs are included in your RunDesk subscription. RunDesk uses models from providers like Anthropic and OpenAI behind the scenes, and you never see a separate bill for AI usage. Your monthly subscription covers everything.

What are AI tasks in RunDesk?

AI tasks represent the units of work Aiva performs on your behalf — things like triaging an email, drafting a reply, conducting a research query, or generating a briefing. The Starter plan includes 500 tasks/month, Professional includes 2,000, and Enterprise includes 5,000. Most small business owners find the Professional plan's 2,000 tasks more than sufficient for daily use.

Is RunDesk cheaper than hiring a virtual assistant?

Typically, yes. A part-time virtual assistant costs $1,500-$3,000/month or more depending on skill level and hours. RunDesk's Professional plan at $499/month provides 24/7 availability, instant responses, persistent memory, and automated scheduled tasks — capabilities that would require a full-time hire to replicate. RunDesk works well as a primary assistant or as a complement to a part-time VA.

Can I upgrade or downgrade my RunDesk plan?

Yes. Since RunDesk plans are month-to-month with no contracts, you can upgrade or downgrade at any time. If your business needs change — for example, you need more AI tasks during a busy season — you can move to a higher tier and drop back down when volume normalizes.

Does RunDesk charge extra for integrations?

No. All supported integrations — Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Outlook, OneDrive, Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, and Discord — are included in every RunDesk plan at no additional cost. The RunDesk team sets up your integrations during onboarding as part of the service.

What happens if I run out of AI tasks?

If you approach your monthly AI task limit, RunDesk's billing awareness system notifies you when you cross 80%, 95%, and 100% usage thresholds. You can upgrade to a higher plan for additional capacity. RunDesk proactively monitors usage so there are no surprises.

How does RunDesk billing work?

RunDesk bills monthly on a simple subscription model. You choose your plan (Starter $199, Professional $499, or Enterprise $999), pay monthly, and can cancel anytime. There are no setup fees, no hidden charges, and all AI model costs are included. The first 14 days are covered by an unconditional money-back guarantee.

Is there a free trial for RunDesk?

RunDesk doesn't offer a traditional free trial, but every plan comes with a 14-day unconditional money-back guarantee. You get full access to your dedicated Aiva assistant from day one — with all integrations, scheduled tasks, and features active — and if it doesn't work for you, you receive a complete refund.

How does RunDesk compare in price to other AI assistant services?

RunDesk's pricing ranges from $199 to $999/month depending on the plan, which is significantly less than a human virtual assistant ($1,500-$3,000+/month) and competitive with other managed AI services. Unlike standalone AI subscriptions (ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro), RunDesk includes all infrastructure, integrations, maintenance, monitoring, and AI costs in a single price.

Getting Started

How do I get started with RunDesk?

Getting started with RunDesk is simple: visit rundesk.co, choose your plan, and complete a brief intake form about your business and needs. The RunDesk team handles everything from there — configuring your Aiva assistant, setting up integrations, and deploying your dedicated server. You'll be chatting with Aiva within 24 hours.

How long does RunDesk setup take?

RunDesk setup takes approximately 24 hours from the time you complete the intake form. During that time, the RunDesk team configures your dedicated Aiva assistant, sets up all integrations (email, calendar, cloud storage, messaging), and deploys your isolated server infrastructure.

Do I need technical skills to use RunDesk?

No. RunDesk is specifically designed for non-technical business owners. The RunDesk team handles all technical setup — server deployment, integration configuration, security settings, and AI model selection. You interact with Aiva by chatting in plain language through Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord.

What is RunDesk's onboarding process like?

RunDesk provides a white-glove onboarding experience. After you complete the intake form, the team configures Aiva's personality, communication style, skills, and integrations specifically for your business. They connect your email, calendar, and cloud storage, set up scheduled tasks like morning briefings, and ensure everything is working before your first interaction.

What information do I need to provide during RunDesk onboarding?

During onboarding, RunDesk asks about your business type, industry, team size, preferred communication channel, the tasks you want Aiva to handle (email, calendar, research, etc.), your working hours and timezone, and any specific preferences for how Aiva should communicate. The intake form is straightforward and takes a few minutes to complete.

What should I expect on my first day with RunDesk?

On your first day, Aiva will introduce itself through your chosen messaging channel and send its first morning briefing with your calendar and email summary. You can immediately start giving Aiva tasks — ask it to draft an email, research a topic, set a reminder, or summarize your inbox. The RunDesk team monitors the first few days closely to ensure everything works smoothly.

Can RunDesk connect to my existing email and calendar?

Yes. RunDesk integrates with Gmail, Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft OneDrive during setup. The RunDesk team handles the entire integration process so you don't need to configure API keys or deal with technical settings. Your existing email and calendar data become immediately accessible to Aiva.

Do I need to install any software for RunDesk?

No. You interact with RunDesk's Aiva through messaging apps you likely already use — Telegram (recommended), WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord. There's no separate app to install, no dashboard to learn, and no software to maintain. If you can send a text message, you can use RunDesk.

How do I communicate with my RunDesk assistant?

You communicate with Aiva by sending messages through your preferred channel — Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord. You can type text messages, send voice notes, or share files. Aiva responds in the same channel, making it feel like chatting with a knowledgeable colleague who's always available.

Can I choose what tasks RunDesk handles for me?

Yes. During the intake process, you select which capabilities you want Aiva to have — email management, calendar, research, content drafting, file management, lead tracking, and more. The RunDesk team configures only the skills and integrations you need, and you can adjust these over time as your needs evolve.

Can I set up RunDesk for my team?

Yes. RunDesk's Enterprise plan supports unlimited communication channels, making it suitable for small teams. Each team member can interact with Aiva through their preferred channel, and Aiva maintains context across all conversations. Contact hello@rundesk.co to discuss team deployment options.

What happens after I fill out the RunDesk intake form?

After submitting your intake form, the RunDesk team reviews your business needs, configures your dedicated Aiva assistant, sets up integrations with your email, calendar, and cloud storage, deploys your isolated server, and connects Aiva to your chosen messaging channel. The entire process is completed within 24 hours, and you'll receive a welcome message from Aiva when everything is ready.

Can I change Aiva's personality or communication style?

Yes. During onboarding, the RunDesk team configures Aiva's personality and communication style based on your preferences — professional, casual, concise, detailed, or any mix you prefer. You can also adjust this over time by simply telling Aiva how you'd like it to communicate, and it adapts accordingly.

Privacy & Security

Is RunDesk secure?

Yes. RunDesk provides each client with a dedicated, isolated Docker container — no shared infrastructure with other clients. All connections are encrypted using WireGuard, there are no open ports, and the RunDesk ops team provides 24/7 monitoring. RunDesk is also PIPEDA compliant for Canadian privacy requirements.

Does RunDesk share my data with other clients?

No. Every RunDesk client gets a completely isolated infrastructure — your own dedicated Docker container with no shared resources or data with any other client. Your conversations, emails, files, and business data are entirely separate from every other RunDesk user.

Can RunDesk's ops team read my conversations?

No. RunDesk's ops team sees only operational metrics — uptime, message count, error rates, and system health — never conversation content. The monitoring system is designed so that the team can ensure your service is running reliably without ever accessing your private communications or business data.

Is RunDesk PIPEDA compliant?

Yes. RunDesk is PIPEDA compliant, meeting Canadian federal privacy requirements for the handling of personal information. This includes proper data handling practices, privacy safeguards, and the right to request data deletion. RunDesk is built by A. I. Tech Inc., a Canadian company that takes privacy obligations seriously.

What data does RunDesk's AI have access to?

RunDesk's Aiva accesses only the systems you authorize during onboarding — such as your email inbox, calendar, and a dedicated folder in Google Drive or OneDrive. Aiva never accesses files outside the designated RunDesk folder, and all email drafts require your explicit approval before sending. You control the scope of access.

Can RunDesk delete my files without permission?

No. Aiva never deletes files, emails, or any data without your explicit confirmation. This is a hard-coded safety rule in every RunDesk deployment. Aiva will always ask for your approval before taking any destructive action, and this behavior cannot be overridden.

Does RunDesk auto-send emails?

No. RunDesk's Aiva always drafts emails and presents them to you for review and approval before sending. Auto-sending is explicitly prohibited in RunDesk's safety rules. This ensures you maintain full control over all communications sent from your email account.

How does RunDesk encrypt my data?

RunDesk uses WireGuard encryption for all connections between your Aiva assistant and integrated services. Each client's infrastructure is isolated in a dedicated Docker container with no open ports, ensuring that data in transit and the server environment itself are both protected.

Can I request RunDesk to delete my data?

Yes. RunDesk allows you to request data deletion or file removal at any time. You can ask Aiva to forget specific information, and you can request complete data deletion when canceling your service. RunDesk's privacy practices support your right to control your personal and business data.

Does RunDesk store my email content?

RunDesk's Aiva accesses your email in real time to perform triage and draft replies, and maintains conversation memory to provide context-aware assistance. However, the RunDesk ops team never has access to your email content — they only see system-level metrics like uptime and message counts.

What happens to my data if I cancel RunDesk?

If you cancel your RunDesk subscription, you can request complete deletion of all data associated with your account. Your dedicated Docker container is decommissioned, and any stored conversation history, preferences, and files within the RunDesk folder can be deleted upon request.

Can RunDesk make purchases on my behalf?

No. RunDesk's Aiva is explicitly prohibited from making purchases, financial transactions, or any actions that involve spending money on your behalf. This is a hard-coded safety rule that cannot be overridden, protecting you from unauthorized financial activity.

Does RunDesk share my data with the AI model providers?

RunDesk uses AI models from providers like Anthropic and OpenAI to power Aiva's capabilities. Interactions with these models are subject to their respective data handling policies. RunDesk selects and configures AI models with privacy as a priority, and all AI costs are included in your subscription so there's no separate account needed with these providers.

How does RunDesk handle file access in cloud storage?

RunDesk restricts Aiva's file access to a dedicated 'RunDesk' folder in your Google Drive or OneDrive. Aiva cannot browse, read, or modify files outside this designated folder. This scoped access ensures your broader cloud storage remains private and unaffected by Aiva's operations.

Is each RunDesk instance truly isolated?

Yes. Every RunDesk client receives a dedicated Docker container that runs independently with no shared infrastructure. This means your AI assistant, conversation history, integrations, and data are completely separate from every other client. RunDesk does not use multi-tenant architecture — each deployment is a standalone instance.

What AI models does RunDesk use and are they safe?

RunDesk uses AI models from established providers like Anthropic (Claude) and OpenAI (GPT). These are industry-leading models chosen for their capability and safety characteristics. RunDesk layers additional safety rules on top — like never auto-sending emails and never deleting without confirmation — to ensure responsible behavior regardless of which underlying model is used.

Comparisons

RunDesk vs ChatGPT — what's the difference?

ChatGPT is a conversational AI tool you ask questions to, while RunDesk is a managed AI employee that takes action in your business. RunDesk's Aiva connects to your real email, calendar, and cloud storage, runs scheduled tasks automatically, remembers all your conversations persistently, and is managed by a team that handles all technical setup. ChatGPT doesn't access your business systems or run tasks on a schedule.

RunDesk vs Claude — what's the difference?

Claude is a conversational AI assistant for chat-based tasks, while RunDesk is a fully managed service that deploys a dedicated AI employee connected to your business systems. RunDesk's Aiva reads your actual email, manages your real calendar, runs scheduled briefings, and remembers everything across sessions. RunDesk actually uses models like Claude behind the scenes, but wraps them in a managed service with integrations, scheduling, and 24/7 monitoring.

Is RunDesk better than hiring a virtual assistant?

RunDesk excels at repetitive, time-sensitive tasks — email triage, calendar management, research, reminders, and scheduled briefings — at a fraction of the cost of a human VA ($199-$999/month vs $1,500-$3,000+/month). RunDesk is also available 24/7 with instant response times. A human VA is still better for tasks requiring phone calls, physical presence, or complex human judgment. Many clients use RunDesk alongside a part-time VA.

RunDesk vs hiring an administrative assistant?

A full-time administrative assistant costs $35,000-$55,000/year or more with benefits, while RunDesk's most popular plan is $499/month ($5,988/year). RunDesk's Aiva provides 24/7 availability, instant responses, consistent performance, and automated scheduling — though it can't make phone calls, attend meetings in person, or handle tasks requiring human presence.

How does RunDesk compare to Lindy AI?

Lindy AI is a self-serve platform where users build their own AI workflows and automations. RunDesk takes the opposite approach — it's a fully managed service where the team handles all setup, configuration, and maintenance. RunDesk is designed for non-technical business owners who want an AI assistant that just works without having to build or manage anything themselves.

RunDesk vs Notion AI — what's the difference?

Notion AI is a feature within the Notion workspace app that helps with writing and summarization inside Notion. RunDesk is a standalone managed AI employee service that connects to your email, calendar, cloud storage, and messaging apps to handle real business tasks. RunDesk's Aiva operates proactively with scheduled tasks and briefings, while Notion AI is reactive and limited to the Notion platform.

Is RunDesk like having a Siri or Alexa for my business?

RunDesk is significantly more capable than Siri or Alexa. While voice assistants handle simple commands, RunDesk's Aiva manages your email inbox, drafts documents, conducts web research, tracks leads, and runs complex scheduled tasks automatically. Aiva also has persistent memory and understands your business context, something consumer voice assistants do not offer.

RunDesk vs Zapier — how are they different?

Zapier automates workflows between apps based on rigid triggers and rules you configure yourself. RunDesk is a managed AI employee that understands natural language, makes contextual decisions, and handles tasks that require judgment — like prioritizing emails or drafting content in your brand voice. You don't need to build any automations with RunDesk; you just tell Aiva what you need.

Can RunDesk replace my executive assistant?

RunDesk can handle many executive assistant tasks — email management, calendar scheduling, meeting prep, research, travel planning research, and daily briefings — at a fraction of the cost. However, RunDesk cannot make phone calls, attend meetings, handle confidential in-person tasks, or exercise the kind of nuanced human judgment an experienced EA provides. It works best as a complement to or partial replacement for an EA.

RunDesk vs Microsoft Copilot — what's the difference?

Microsoft Copilot is an AI feature integrated into Microsoft 365 apps that assists with tasks within those specific applications. RunDesk is an independent managed AI employee service that works across multiple platforms — Gmail, Google Calendar, Outlook, Drive, OneDrive, and messaging apps — while also running scheduled tasks, maintaining persistent memory, and providing proactive briefings.

Is RunDesk worth it compared to free AI tools?

Free AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini are useful for one-off questions and writing tasks, but they can't access your email, manage your calendar, run scheduled briefings, or remember your business context across sessions. RunDesk provides a fully managed, always-on AI employee with real business integrations and 24/7 monitoring — capabilities that free tools fundamentally cannot offer.

RunDesk vs freelance virtual assistant services like Belay or Time Etc?

Freelance VA services typically cost $1,500-$3,500/month for part-time help during business hours. RunDesk starts at $199/month, operates 24/7, responds instantly, and handles repetitive tasks with perfect consistency. A human VA is better for phone calls, complex relationship management, and tasks requiring subjective judgment. RunDesk and a part-time VA can be a powerful combination.

Can RunDesk do everything a human assistant can?

No, and RunDesk is transparent about that. Aiva excels at email management, calendar scheduling, research, content drafting, reminders, file organization, and scheduled briefings. It cannot make phone calls, attend meetings in person, handle physical tasks, or navigate situations requiring deep emotional intelligence. RunDesk focuses on the tasks where AI provides the most value.

RunDesk vs building my own AI assistant with GPT APIs?

Building a custom AI assistant requires significant technical expertise — prompt engineering, API integration, server management, security hardening, and ongoing maintenance. RunDesk handles all of that as a managed service, so you get a production-ready AI employee in 24 hours without writing a line of code or managing any infrastructure. For non-technical business owners, RunDesk is dramatically faster and more practical.

How does RunDesk compare to AI email tools like SaneBox or Superhuman?

SaneBox and Superhuman focus specifically on email productivity with features like inbox filtering and snoozing. RunDesk goes far beyond email — Aiva also manages your calendar, conducts research, drafts content, handles files, tracks leads, sends scheduled briefings, and maintains context about your entire business. RunDesk is a comprehensive AI employee, not just an email optimization tool.

RunDesk vs AI scheduling tools like Calendly or Clara?

Calendly is a self-serve scheduling link tool, while Clara was an AI scheduling assistant. RunDesk handles scheduling as one of many capabilities — Aiva manages your full calendar, flags conflicts, provides prep notes for meetings, and sends daily and weekly calendar briefings. But Aiva also manages email, research, content, files, and more. RunDesk is a complete AI employee, not just a scheduling tool.

Is RunDesk more reliable than a human assistant?

RunDesk offers certain reliability advantages — Aiva is available 24/7, never calls in sick, responds instantly, and runs scheduled tasks with perfect consistency. The RunDesk ops team monitors every deployment around the clock. However, a human assistant brings judgment, empathy, and adaptability that AI cannot match. Many clients find the combination of RunDesk and a part-time human assistant most effective.

RunDesk vs other managed AI services — what makes it different?

RunDesk's key differentiators are its fully managed approach (you don't configure anything yourself), dedicated isolated infrastructure per client (no multi-tenant sharing), white-glove onboarding, persistent memory across all sessions, and 24/7 ops monitoring. RunDesk is designed specifically for non-technical small business owners who want an AI that works without requiring any technical knowledge.

Does RunDesk work better than using multiple AI tools together?

Many small business owners cobble together multiple AI tools — ChatGPT for writing, a separate email tool, a calendar app, a reminder service. RunDesk consolidates all of these into a single managed AI employee. Aiva handles email, calendar, research, content, files, reminders, and briefings in one place, with shared context and memory across all tasks. It's simpler and more effective than managing a patchwork of tools.

Industry Use Cases

Can RunDesk help real estate agents?

Yes. Real estate agents are one of RunDesk's most common client types. Aiva can triage your inbox for buyer inquiries and listing notifications, track lead follow-ups with response time alerts, draft property descriptions and client communications, send morning briefings that lead with today's showings, and manage your busy calendar of open houses and closings.

How do real estate agents use RunDesk day to day?

A real estate agent's Aiva sends a morning briefing with the day's showings, pending offers, and new leads. Throughout the day, Aiva triages email inquiries, drafts follow-up messages, flags leads that haven't been contacted within a target response window, and helps prepare for client meetings. End-of-day summaries capture everything that needs attention tomorrow.

Can RunDesk help marketing agencies?

Yes. Marketing agency owners use RunDesk's Aiva to manage client-facing email, draft content briefs and social posts, research competitors and industry trends, track project deadlines, and stay organized across multiple client accounts. Aiva's persistent memory means it learns each client's brand voice and preferences over time.

How do marketing agencies use RunDesk?

A marketing agency owner's Aiva triages the inbox to prioritize client emails, drafts content for review, researches campaign ideas and competitor strategies, manages the calendar across multiple client meetings, and sends weekly previews so the team knows what's coming. Aiva can also draft proposals, meeting agendas, and recap notes.

Can RunDesk help law firms?

Yes. Law firms use RunDesk's Aiva for email triage (prioritizing client and court communications), calendar management with reminders for court dates and filing deadlines, legal research summaries, and document drafting. RunDesk's safety rules are especially important for legal clients — Aiva never auto-sends communications and handles data with appropriate caution.

How do lawyers use RunDesk?

Lawyers use Aiva to triage their inbox by urgency (court notices get top priority), get reminders for filing deadlines and court dates well in advance, draft client correspondence for review, research legal topics with jurisdiction and date noted, and manage a busy meeting and hearing schedule. Aiva never includes case details in summaries shared outside the secure conversation.

Can RunDesk help healthcare practices?

Yes. Healthcare practices use RunDesk's Aiva for administrative tasks like appointment calendar management, email triage for patient inquiries, research on clinical topics, and drafting professional communications. RunDesk's strict safety rules and data handling practices are particularly relevant for healthcare providers who need careful information management.

How do doctors and dentists use RunDesk?

Healthcare practitioners use Aiva to manage their administrative email, organize their appointment calendar, research clinical topics, draft patient communications for review, and receive daily briefings on the day ahead. Aiva handles the administrative burden so practitioners can focus on patient care. All communications go through Aiva's draft-and-approve workflow.

Can RunDesk help consultants and coaches?

Yes. Consultants and coaches use RunDesk's Aiva to manage client scheduling, triage email by priority, draft proposals and follow-up emails, research industry topics for client engagements, prepare meeting briefs, and track follow-ups with prospects and active clients. Aiva's persistent memory helps it understand each client relationship over time.

How do business consultants use RunDesk?

A consultant's Aiva manages a packed meeting calendar, prepares briefing notes before client sessions, drafts proposals and recap emails, conducts market and competitor research, and sends morning briefings focused on the day's client engagements. Aiva also tracks follow-ups with prospects so no business development opportunity falls through the cracks.

Can RunDesk help e-commerce businesses?

Yes. E-commerce business owners use RunDesk's Aiva to manage supplier and customer email, research products and competitors, draft product descriptions and marketing copy, track key dates and deadlines, and stay organized across multiple platforms. Morning briefings can surface urgent customer emails and inventory-related communications.

How do e-commerce sellers use RunDesk?

An e-commerce seller's Aiva triages customer and supplier emails, drafts responses to customer inquiries, researches competitor pricing and product trends, creates content for listings, and sends daily summaries of what needs attention. Aiva's web browsing capability is especially useful for real-time competitor and market research.

Can RunDesk help construction companies?

Yes. Construction company owners use RunDesk's Aiva to manage subcontractor and client communications, keep track of project timelines and deadlines, draft bids and proposals, research suppliers and materials, and maintain organized records. Morning briefings help construction managers start each day knowing what's scheduled and what needs attention.

Can RunDesk help accountants and bookkeepers?

Yes. Accountants use RunDesk's Aiva to manage client email during busy seasons, keep track of filing deadlines across multiple clients, draft client communications, research tax and regulatory topics, and maintain organized calendars. Aiva's scheduled reminders are especially valuable during tax season when deadline management is critical.

Can RunDesk help freelancers and solopreneurs?

Yes. Freelancers and solopreneurs are an ideal fit for RunDesk because they wear every hat — CEO, salesperson, project manager, admin. Aiva handles the operational tasks (email, calendar, follow-ups, invoicing reminders, research) so freelancers can focus on billable work. At $199/month for the Starter plan, it's far more affordable than any human hire.

How do freelancers use RunDesk day to day?

A freelancer's Aiva sends a morning briefing with the day's commitments and pending tasks, triages email to separate client communications from everything else, tracks project deadlines and follow-ups, drafts proposals and client updates, and provides end-of-day summaries. For freelancers, Aiva acts as the back office they can't otherwise afford.

Can RunDesk help insurance agents?

Yes. Insurance agents use RunDesk's Aiva to manage client communications, track policy renewal dates, draft follow-up emails, research coverage options, and maintain organized calendars across client meetings. Aiva's lead follow-up tracking helps agents stay on top of prospects and maintain timely communication with existing clients.

Can RunDesk help property managers?

Yes. Property managers use RunDesk's Aiva to triage tenant and vendor communications, track maintenance requests, manage inspection and lease renewal calendars, draft tenant notices, and maintain organized records. Morning briefings help property managers start each day knowing which properties need attention.

Can RunDesk help financial advisors?

Yes. Financial advisors use RunDesk's Aiva to manage client email, prepare for meetings with briefing notes, track follow-ups with prospects, research market topics, and maintain organized calendars. Aiva's draft-and-approve workflow is especially important in financial services where communication accuracy matters.

Can RunDesk help event planners?

Yes. Event planners use RunDesk's Aiva to manage vendor and client email, track timelines and deadlines across multiple events, draft contracts and communications, research venues and suppliers, and maintain complex calendars. Aiva's ability to manage many concurrent threads of communication makes it valuable for coordination-heavy roles.

Can RunDesk help therapists and counselors?

Yes. Therapists and counselors use RunDesk's Aiva for administrative tasks like managing their appointment calendar, triaging email, sending session reminders, and drafting professional communications. RunDesk's strict privacy and security rules — including the ops team never seeing conversation content — are particularly important for mental health professionals.

What industries use RunDesk the most?

RunDesk is most commonly used by professional services firms — real estate agents, marketing agencies, law firms, healthcare practices, consultants, coaches, accountants, and financial advisors. Solo operators and freelancers across many industries also use RunDesk extensively. Any small business that spends significant time on email, calendar, and administrative tasks can benefit from RunDesk.

Communication & Channels

What messaging apps does RunDesk support?

RunDesk supports Telegram (recommended), WhatsApp, Slack, and Discord as communication channels. You can chat with Aiva through whichever app you already use. The number of simultaneous channels depends on your plan — Starter supports one, Professional supports up to three, and Enterprise supports unlimited channels.

Why does RunDesk recommend Telegram?

RunDesk recommends Telegram because it offers rich messaging features including voice notes, file sharing, formatted text, and reliable message delivery. Telegram also works well across mobile and desktop devices, making it easy to communicate with Aiva from anywhere. However, Aiva works equally well through WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord.

Can I use RunDesk with WhatsApp?

Yes. RunDesk fully supports WhatsApp as a communication channel. You can chat with Aiva, send voice notes, and share files through WhatsApp just as you would through any other supported channel. The RunDesk team configures the WhatsApp connection during onboarding.

Can I use RunDesk with Slack?

Yes. RunDesk integrates with Slack, making it ideal for teams already using Slack for workplace communication. You can message Aiva in a dedicated Slack channel or direct message, and Aiva responds right within your Slack workspace. This is set up during onboarding by the RunDesk team.

Can I use RunDesk with Discord?

Yes. RunDesk supports Discord as a communication channel. If your team or business already uses Discord, Aiva can be deployed there so you can interact with your AI assistant in a familiar environment. The RunDesk team handles the Discord integration during onboarding.

Can I send voice notes to RunDesk?

Yes. You can send voice notes to Aiva through Telegram, WhatsApp, or other supported channels that offer voice messaging. Aiva transcribes the audio, understands the content, extracts action items, and can act on your spoken instructions — like scheduling a meeting or drafting an email you described verbally.

How quickly does RunDesk respond to messages?

RunDesk's Aiva responds to messages within seconds in most cases. Unlike a human assistant who might be unavailable or need time to research, Aiva processes your request immediately and provides a response or takes action right away. This 24/7 instant availability is one of RunDesk's key advantages.

Can I message RunDesk outside of business hours?

Yes. RunDesk's Aiva is available 24/7, 365 days a year. You can send messages at any time — evenings, weekends, holidays — and Aiva responds immediately. There are no office hours restrictions. Your Aiva assistant runs on dedicated infrastructure that operates around the clock.

Can I share files with RunDesk through chat?

Yes. You can share files with Aiva through your messaging channel, and Aiva can read, analyze, and work with the content. You can also ask Aiva to save files to your dedicated RunDesk folder in Google Drive or OneDrive. File handling works through Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, and Discord.

Can multiple team members talk to the same RunDesk assistant?

Yes. On RunDesk's Enterprise plan with unlimited channels, multiple team members can interact with the same Aiva assistant through different channels. Aiva maintains context across all conversations, so it understands the full picture of your business operations regardless of who is messaging.

Does RunDesk support multiple languages?

RunDesk's Aiva can communicate in multiple languages, as the underlying AI models support a wide range of languages. However, the primary onboarding and configuration experience is in English. If you need Aiva to communicate in a specific language, this can be configured during setup.

What happens if I send RunDesk a message while it's processing something?

RunDesk's Aiva can handle multiple requests and conversations concurrently. If you send a new message while Aiva is working on something else, it processes both — scheduled tasks like email triage run independently of your real-time conversation. You don't need to wait for one task to finish before sending another.

Can I use RunDesk on both my phone and computer?

Yes. Since RunDesk works through standard messaging apps — Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord — you can communicate with Aiva on any device where those apps are installed. Your conversation history syncs across devices automatically through the messaging platform, so you can switch between phone and desktop seamlessly.

How does RunDesk handle long or complex requests?

You can send Aiva detailed, multi-part requests through chat or voice note, and Aiva will work through each part systematically. For complex tasks like research reports or detailed document drafts, Aiva may take a little longer but will deliver a complete response. If clarification is needed, Aiva asks follow-up questions before proceeding.

Daily Operations

What does a typical day with RunDesk look like?

A typical day starts with Aiva's morning briefing — your calendar preview, email summary, and key priorities. Throughout the day, Aiva triages incoming email, drafts replies for your approval, handles research requests, and responds to ad-hoc tasks you send via chat. The day ends with an end-of-day wrap-up summarizing what was accomplished and what needs attention tomorrow.

How does RunDesk's morning briefing work?

RunDesk's Aiva sends an automatic morning briefing at a scheduled time each workday. It includes today's date and day of the week, your calendar events with times and locations, any conflicts or back-to-back meetings flagged, a summary of important emails, and any overdue follow-ups. The briefing is concise enough to read in 30 seconds.

How does RunDesk triage my email?

Aiva checks your inbox on a regular schedule and categorizes emails into groups based on urgency — typically Urgent (needs response today), Needs Reply (can wait a day or two), and FYI (no action needed). For each email, Aiva provides the sender's name, subject line, and a one-sentence summary. Full email bodies and sensitive details are never included in the summary.

Can RunDesk draft replies to my emails?

Yes. When Aiva identifies an email that needs a response, it can draft a reply in your voice and communication style. The draft is presented to you for review — you can approve it, request changes, or rewrite it. Aiva never sends an email without your explicit approval. Over time, Aiva learns your writing style and preferences for increasingly accurate drafts.

How do RunDesk's scheduled tasks work?

RunDesk runs scheduled tasks (cron jobs) automatically at configured times without requiring you to request them. Common scheduled tasks include morning briefings, email triage checks throughout the day, end-of-day summaries, and weekly calendar previews. These schedules are set during onboarding and run reliably on your dedicated infrastructure.

What is RunDesk's end-of-day wrap-up?

RunDesk's end-of-day wrap-up is an automatic summary sent by Aiva at the end of your workday. It recaps emails handled, meetings completed, tasks accomplished, and anything that still needs attention. This helps you close out the day with confidence that nothing was missed and sets you up for a clean start tomorrow.

Can I ask RunDesk for things on demand, not just on schedule?

Yes. While RunDesk runs many tasks on an automatic schedule (briefings, email triage, reminders), you can also message Aiva anytime with ad-hoc requests. Ask Aiva to research a topic, draft an email, check your calendar, set a reminder, or handle any supported task — Aiva responds immediately, 24/7.

How does RunDesk handle calendar conflicts?

RunDesk's Aiva proactively identifies calendar conflicts and back-to-back meetings in your daily briefings and flags them for your attention. Aiva can suggest rescheduling options and help you resolve conflicts by managing your calendar. This prevents double-bookings and ensures you have adequate time between meetings.

Can RunDesk remind me about important tasks?

Yes. Aiva can set and manage reminders based on your requests and conversations. You can tell Aiva to remind you about anything — follow up with a client in two days, review a document before a meeting, or check on a pending decision. Reminders include relevant context so you know exactly what needs attention.

How does RunDesk's weekly preview work?

RunDesk's Aiva sends an automatic weekly preview covering the upcoming week's calendar, day by day. It includes all scheduled events, highlights any open days, provides the total meeting count for the week, and notes any meetings that may require preparation. The preview helps you plan ahead and allocate your time effectively.

Can RunDesk prepare me for meetings?

Yes. Aiva can provide meeting preparation notes based on your calendar entries and past interactions. Before a client meeting, Aiva can pull up relevant background information, previous conversation context, and any outstanding action items — all delivered through your chat channel so you walk in prepared.

How does RunDesk prioritize my emails?

Aiva prioritizes emails based on the sender, subject matter, and urgency signals. Client-facing emails and time-sensitive communications are flagged as urgent, routine correspondence is categorized as needing a reply within a day or two, and newsletters and notifications are marked as FYI. Aiva learns your priorities over time and adjusts accordingly.

Can I use RunDesk while I'm in meetings?

Yes. While you're in meetings, Aiva continues working in the background — triaging emails, running scheduled tasks, and handling any automated workflows. When you're free, you can catch up on everything Aiva has done and review any drafts or summaries waiting for your attention. There's no pause in Aiva's work when you're busy.

Does RunDesk work on weekends and holidays?

Yes. RunDesk's Aiva runs on dedicated infrastructure that operates 24/7, including weekends and holidays. You can message Aiva anytime and receive an instant response. Scheduled tasks can be configured to run or pause on weekends depending on your preference — many clients prefer morning briefings only on weekdays.

How does RunDesk handle urgent emails when I'm away?

When you're away, Aiva continues to triage your inbox and flag urgent items. Since Aiva communicates through your messaging app, you'll see notifications for urgent emails even if you're not actively checking your inbox. Aiva can also draft urgent replies for your quick review and approval from your phone.

Can I give RunDesk standing instructions?

Yes. You can give Aiva standing instructions that persist across all future interactions — for example, 'always prioritize emails from [client name]' or 'flag any email about [topic] as urgent.' These long-term instructions are stored in Aiva's memory and followed consistently. You can update or change them at any time through conversation.

Technical & Infrastructure

What AI models does RunDesk use?

RunDesk uses AI models from leading providers including Anthropic (Claude) and OpenAI (GPT). The RunDesk team selects and configures the optimal model for each client's needs. All AI model costs are included in your subscription — you never need a separate account with these providers or pay additional fees for AI usage.

What infrastructure does RunDesk run on?

Every RunDesk client gets a dedicated, isolated Docker container — not shared infrastructure. All connections are encrypted using WireGuard, with no open ports. The RunDesk ops team provides 24/7 monitoring to ensure uptime, performance, and security. This level of infrastructure isolation is uncommon in AI services at RunDesk's price point.

What is RunDesk's uptime?

RunDesk's dedicated infrastructure is monitored 24/7 by the ops team, with health checks running every four hours. If any issues are detected — performance degradation, errors, or connectivity problems — the ops team is alerted immediately for resolution. Each client's isolated container ensures that issues with one deployment never affect another.

How does RunDesk's persistent memory work?

RunDesk's Aiva maintains persistent memory across all conversations and sessions. Every instruction, preference, business detail, and interaction is remembered and accessible in future conversations. Unlike tools like ChatGPT that start fresh each session, Aiva builds a continuously growing understanding of your business and working style.

Does RunDesk use a shared server?

No. Every RunDesk client gets a dedicated, isolated Docker container. Your AI assistant, conversation history, and data are completely separate from every other client. This isolation provides better security, more consistent performance, and ensures that one client's usage never impacts another's experience.

How does RunDesk connect to Gmail and Google Calendar?

RunDesk connects to Gmail and Google Calendar through secure API integrations configured during onboarding by the RunDesk team. You authorize access through standard Google OAuth, and Aiva can then read your email, manage your calendar, and work with your Google Drive files. No technical setup is required from you.

How does RunDesk connect to Outlook and OneDrive?

RunDesk connects to Microsoft Outlook and OneDrive through secure API integrations configured during onboarding. The RunDesk team handles the entire setup process, including authentication and permissions. Once connected, Aiva can manage your Outlook email, calendar, and OneDrive files seamlessly.

What happens if RunDesk's AI goes down?

RunDesk's ops team monitors all deployments 24/7 with automated health checks running every four hours. If an issue is detected, the team is alerted immediately and works to resolve it. Since each client has an isolated Docker container, issues with one deployment don't cascade to others. RunDesk's infrastructure is designed for reliability.

Does RunDesk require any software on my computer?

No. RunDesk operates entirely through messaging apps (Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, Discord) and cloud integrations (Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Outlook, OneDrive). There's no client software to install, no desktop app, and no browser plugin. Everything runs on RunDesk's managed cloud infrastructure.

How does RunDesk handle software updates?

RunDesk handles all software updates as part of the managed service. When improvements, new features, or security patches are deployed, the RunDesk team updates your dedicated infrastructure with zero effort required from you. This is one of the core advantages of RunDesk's fully managed approach — you never deal with software maintenance.

Can RunDesk integrate with my existing business tools?

RunDesk integrates with Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Microsoft Outlook, OneDrive, Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, and Discord. Additional integrations can be discussed with the RunDesk team based on your specific business needs. All integration setup is handled during onboarding — no technical configuration required from you.

How does RunDesk's cron scheduling work?

RunDesk uses cron scheduling to run tasks automatically at specific times — morning briefings, email triage, weekly previews, and operational health checks all run on predefined schedules. These are configured during onboarding based on your timezone and working hours, and they execute reliably 24/7 on your dedicated infrastructure.

What is WireGuard and why does RunDesk use it?

WireGuard is a modern, high-performance VPN protocol used by RunDesk to encrypt all connections between your Aiva assistant and integrated services. RunDesk chose WireGuard for its strong security, low overhead, and proven reliability. It ensures that all data in transit is encrypted and protected from interception.

Does RunDesk use Docker containers?

Yes. Every RunDesk client gets a dedicated Docker container that provides complete isolation from other clients. Docker containers are an industry-standard technology for running applications in isolated, secure environments. This architecture ensures that your AI assistant's resources, data, and operations are entirely separate from any other client.

How does RunDesk's 24/7 monitoring work?

RunDesk's ops team receives automated health check reports every four hours from each client's dedicated instance. These reports include system status, uptime, message counts, error rates, and resource usage — but never conversation content or client data. If any metric falls outside normal parameters, the ops team is alerted for investigation and resolution.

Can RunDesk work with tools not on the integration list?

RunDesk's core integrations include Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Outlook, OneDrive, Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, and Discord. For tools outside this list, Aiva can often interact through web browsing or by working with data you share through chat. For deeper integrations with specific platforms, contact hello@rundesk.co to discuss options.

Trust & Support

Is RunDesk reliable enough for business use?

Yes. RunDesk is built for professional business use with dedicated infrastructure per client, WireGuard encryption, 24/7 ops monitoring, and automated health checks. The ops team monitors every deployment around the clock, and each client's isolated Docker container ensures consistent performance. RunDesk also offers a 14-day unconditional money-back guarantee.

What kind of support does RunDesk offer?

RunDesk provides managed support as part of the service. The ops team monitors your instance 24/7 and proactively addresses issues before you notice them. For questions, changes, or feedback, you can contact the team at hello@rundesk.co. The white-glove approach means most support happens behind the scenes automatically.

Who monitors my RunDesk assistant?

RunDesk's ops team monitors every client deployment 24/7. They see only operational metrics — uptime, message count, error rates, and resource usage — never your conversation content or business data. If any issue is detected, the team resolves it proactively, often before you would notice any disruption.

What if RunDesk makes a mistake?

RunDesk's safety rules are designed to minimize the impact of errors. Aiva never auto-sends emails (drafts require approval), never deletes without confirmation, and never makes purchases. These guardrails ensure that mistakes stay in draft form where you can catch and correct them before any action is taken in your business systems.

Can I trust RunDesk with sensitive business information?

RunDesk is built with security and privacy as foundational requirements. Each client gets isolated infrastructure, WireGuard encrypted connections, and no shared resources. The ops team never sees your conversation content. Aiva operates under strict safety rules including never sharing client data, never auto-sending communications, and never taking irreversible actions without confirmation.

How does RunDesk handle errors and bugs?

RunDesk's ops team monitors every deployment with automated health checks every four hours and real-time alerting. When errors occur, the team is notified immediately and works to resolve the issue. Since RunDesk is a managed service, bug fixes and patches are deployed by the team without requiring any action from you.

Is RunDesk a real company?

Yes. RunDesk is operated by A. I. Tech Inc., a registered Canadian company. You can visit rundesk.co, email hello@rundesk.co, and every plan comes with a 14-day unconditional money-back guarantee. RunDesk provides dedicated infrastructure, 24/7 monitoring, and real human support behind the service.

What happens if there's a service outage?

RunDesk's ops team monitors all deployments 24/7 with automated health checks. In the event of an outage, the team is alerted immediately and works to restore service as quickly as possible. Since each client runs on isolated infrastructure, outages affecting one client don't impact others. Your scheduled tasks and briefings resume automatically once service is restored.

Does RunDesk have a service level agreement?

RunDesk provides 24/7 ops monitoring, automated health checks, and proactive issue resolution as part of every plan. For specific SLA requirements, Enterprise plan clients can contact hello@rundesk.co to discuss custom service level commitments tailored to their business needs.

Can I contact a human at RunDesk?

Yes. You can reach the RunDesk team directly at hello@rundesk.co for any questions, concerns, or requests. RunDesk is a fully managed service backed by a real team — while Aiva handles your day-to-day tasks autonomously, the humans behind RunDesk are always available for support and configuration changes.

What if I'm not happy with RunDesk?

Every RunDesk plan includes a 14-day unconditional money-back guarantee. If RunDesk isn't the right fit within the first 14 days, you receive a complete refund — no questions asked. After the guarantee period, you can cancel anytime since all plans are month-to-month with no contracts or cancellation fees.

Does RunDesk have reviews or testimonials?

For the latest client feedback and testimonials, visit rundesk.co. RunDesk serves small business owners across professional services, real estate, marketing, legal, healthcare, and more. The 14-day money-back guarantee also lets you evaluate the service firsthand with no risk before committing.

How does RunDesk ensure quality over time?

RunDesk's quality comes from three layers: Aiva's persistent memory means it continuously improves its understanding of your business; the ops team monitors performance 24/7 and makes adjustments as needed; and regular software updates bring new capabilities and improvements automatically. As a managed service, quality maintenance is RunDesk's responsibility, not yours.

What is RunDesk's refund policy?

RunDesk offers a 14-day unconditional money-back guarantee on all plans — Starter, Professional, and Enterprise. If you're not satisfied for any reason within the first 14 days, you receive a complete refund with no questions asked. After 14 days, you can still cancel anytime since all plans are month-to-month with no contracts.

Can I give feedback to improve my RunDesk experience?

Yes. You can give feedback directly to Aiva through your regular conversations — for example, 'I'd prefer shorter email summaries' or 'always prioritize emails from my top clients.' Aiva remembers and adapts. For broader service feedback or configuration changes, contact the RunDesk team at hello@rundesk.co.

Account Management

How do I cancel RunDesk?

You can cancel your RunDesk subscription at any time — all plans are month-to-month with no contracts or cancellation fees. Contact the RunDesk team at hello@rundesk.co to cancel. If you're within the first 14 days, you'll receive a complete refund under the unconditional money-back guarantee.

Can I pause my RunDesk subscription?

For information about pausing your subscription, contact the RunDesk team at hello@rundesk.co. Since all plans are month-to-month with no contracts, you can also cancel and re-subscribe when you're ready to resume. Your Aiva configuration and preferences can be retained for easy reactivation.

How do I upgrade my RunDesk plan?

To upgrade your RunDesk plan — for example, from Starter to Professional for more AI tasks and additional channels — contact the RunDesk team at hello@rundesk.co. Since plans are month-to-month, upgrades can be applied quickly without any contract changes or commitment extensions.

How do I downgrade my RunDesk plan?

To downgrade your RunDesk plan, contact the RunDesk team at hello@rundesk.co. Since all plans are month-to-month with no contracts, changes take effect on your next billing cycle. Your Aiva assistant will be adjusted to match the new plan's task limits and channel availability.

Can I get my data from RunDesk if I leave?

Yes. You can request your data from RunDesk when canceling or at any time during your subscription. RunDesk supports data portability — you can request conversation exports, preference summaries, and any files stored in your RunDesk folder. Contact hello@rundesk.co to discuss your specific data export needs.

What happens to my assistant's memory if I cancel?

If you cancel your RunDesk subscription, your Aiva assistant's memory — including conversation history, preferences, and business context — is retained for a period to allow easy reactivation. You can also request complete data deletion. Contact hello@rundesk.co for specific data retention details.

Can I change my communication channel?

Yes. You can switch or add communication channels at any time. If you started with Telegram and want to move to WhatsApp, or if you want to add Slack as an additional channel (available on Professional and Enterprise plans), the RunDesk team handles the configuration change for you.

Can I change my RunDesk assistant's name from Aiva?

Aiva is the name of RunDesk's AI assistant, and it's consistent across all deployments. However, Aiva's personality, communication style, and behavioral preferences are fully customizable during onboarding and can be adjusted anytime through conversation or by contacting hello@rundesk.co.

Can I add new integrations to my RunDesk after setup?

Yes. If you initially set up RunDesk with Gmail and later want to add Google Calendar or OneDrive, the RunDesk team can configure additional integrations at any time. Contact hello@rundesk.co to request changes, and the team will handle the technical setup.

Can I add skills to my RunDesk assistant after onboarding?

Yes. If your business needs evolve and you want Aiva to handle new types of tasks — for example, adding lead tracking or content drafting to an existing email and calendar setup — the RunDesk team can adjust your configuration. Contact hello@rundesk.co to discuss adding capabilities.

How do I change my RunDesk billing information?

To update your billing information, payment method, or billing contact, reach out to the RunDesk team at hello@rundesk.co. The team handles all account management changes as part of the fully managed service.

Can I have multiple RunDesk assistants for different businesses?

Yes. If you operate multiple businesses or brands, you can subscribe to separate RunDesk plans — each with its own dedicated Aiva assistant, isolated infrastructure, and independent configuration. Each assistant is customized for its specific business context. Contact hello@rundesk.co to set up multiple deployments.

What if my business needs change over time?

RunDesk is designed to adapt as your business evolves. Aiva learns from your conversations and updates its understanding continuously. For larger changes — new integrations, different scheduled tasks, adjusted priorities — the RunDesk team can reconfigure your setup at any time. Month-to-month plans also let you scale your tier up or down as needed.

Can I request custom features from RunDesk?

Yes. RunDesk's managed service approach means the team can accommodate custom requests — specific scheduling configurations, tailored briefing formats, particular integration setups, or unique workflow requirements. Contact hello@rundesk.co with your needs, and the team will assess what's possible within your plan.

How do I contact RunDesk for account changes?

For any account changes — plan upgrades, integration additions, billing updates, configuration adjustments, or cancellation — email the RunDesk team at hello@rundesk.co. As a fully managed service, the team handles all administrative and technical changes on your behalf.

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