How Light Lane Handles Your Data
Light Lane is a desktop app. Your images, projects, and G-code stay on your machine. This page explains exactly what connects to the internet, what the AI assistant sends, and how your credentials are stored.
Your files stay on your machine
Light Lane is a native desktop application, not a web app or cloud service. It runs on macOS and Windows.
All image processing happens locally on your computer. G-code generation, toolpath optimization, vector path analysis, raster processing, and preview rendering all run on your machine. Your project files are saved to your local filesystem. Material presets, templates, and device preferences are stored locally too.
Nothing is uploaded to a server unless you explicitly use the AI assistant. The next section explains exactly what gets sent.
What stays on your machine
- All imported images (PNG, JPEG, BMP, SVG).
- All G-code generation, toolpath optimization, and raster processing.
- Project files, material presets, and templates.
- Device preferences and controller settings.
- Toolpath previews and export files.
What the AI assistant sends
Light Lane has two AI features. Both send data to the Light Lane portal API for processing. Here is exactly what each one transmits.
The AI Settings Assistant sends your text prompt (up to 2,000 characters) and your current laser settings. It does not send any images.
The AI Engrave Assistant sends your text prompt, the selected image, and your current settings. This is the only feature that transmits image data to a server.
Both features authenticate with short-lived tokens. The AI runs server-side on Light Lane infrastructure. We pick the best model for the job, and we may change it as better options become available. The app does not call any third-party AI service directly.
What connects to the internet
Light Lane makes three types of outbound connections. This is the complete list.
- License activation and periodic lease refresh (api.lightlane.app). Required for initial activation. Offline deactivation is supported for air-gapped environments using a signed deactivation code.
- AI assistant requests, only when you use them (api.lightlane.app). Authenticated with short-lived tokens.
- Update checks on launch (downloads.lightlane.app). The app checks for new versions and downloads updates with SHA-256 checksum verification.
Credential storage
Authentication tokens and private keys are stored in your operating system's native credential store. On macOS, that is the Keychain. On Windows, it is the Credential Manager.
Licensing state is kept in a local JSON configuration file. No credentials are stored in plaintext or in browser-accessible storage.
Next steps
Validate one real workflow in Light Lane, then move to the most relevant guide or feature page.
Last updated February 21, 2026