Chert

What is Chert?

Chert lets developers put AI video agents on FaceTime with a few lines of code. The agent answers or places calls, sees what the caller shows on camera, and replies in real time. The team, backed by Y Combinator, also runs an iMessage API for businesses that message customers at scale.

Top Features:

• Vision on calls: agents see the caller's camera feed and respond to what they show.
• Simple setup: configure the prompt, pick a persona, and deploy with one line of code.
• Browser preview: test your assistant in the browser before you publish it to a line.

Use Cases:

• Remote support: guide customers through fixes while the agent watches the device on camera.
• Field service: help technicians check parts and wiring by showing them during a call.
• Telehealth intake: collect patient details and visual information before a clinician joins the call.

Who Can Use Chert?

• Developers: build video agents on FaceTime without managing Apple calling infrastructure themselves.
• Support teams: handle visual troubleshooting calls that voice-only bots cannot properly understand.
• Customer success leads: run guided onboarding sessions where new users show their setup live.

Pricing

• FaceTime API preview (contact sales): controlled private preview access, with live calling granted after authorization.
• iMessage API (contact sales): usage-based pricing that scales from a few test lines to hundreds.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Sees the problem: visual context removes the guesswork that slows down voice-only support calls.
• Familiar channel: customers join through FaceTime, an app already on their iPhone.
• Quick to try: a public demo number and browser preview make testing easy.

Cons:

• Private preview: the FaceTime API still requires approval before live calling works.
• Apple only: callers need an Apple device, so Android users are left out.
• Hidden pricing: costs are not published, so budgeting requires a sales conversation first.

FAQs:

1) Is the FaceTime API available now?

It is in a controlled private preview, and live calling needs authorization.

2) Can I test an agent before going live?

Yes, you can preview your assistant in the browser before publishing.

3) What settings can I change?

You can set instructions, model, voice, avatar, framing, and line assignment.

4) Does Chert work with iMessage too?

Yes, the company also runs an iMessage API with webhooks and SMS fallback.

5) What kinds of work fit best?

Remote support, field service, telehealth intake, onboarding, and visual inspections fit well.