What is the Treecat agent, is it safe, and does my computer need to stay on?

The Treecat agent is a small desktop app for Windows, Mac and Linux that runs your marketplace automations in a real browser session on your own computer and internet connection. It runs in the background, but the computer it is installed on must stay on, awake and online for Treecat to check Poshmark, Mercari, Whatnot, Facebook Marketplace and Etsy for sales and delist items there. It does not need to be the computer you use Treecat on.

What the agent is and why Treecat uses oneCopy Anchor Link

Marketplaces such as Poshmark and Mercari have no public API for sellers and block automated traffic from cloud servers. The agent runs your automations from a small, secure browser environment on your own computer, so marketplaces see the same home connection you normally sell from.

There is no browser extension. Logging in to your marketplaces also happens in the desktop app. Older Treecat tools (the Chrome extension and the "authenticator") are no longer used; uninstall any old Treecat agents before installing the current one.

Which marketplaces need the agent?Copy Anchor Link

The agent is also needed for closet sharing and scheduled delist/relist on the agent-based marketplaces.

Does my computer need to stay on 24/7?Copy Anchor Link

One computer with the agent installed should stay on, awake and online around the clock. If it sleeps or shuts down, Treecat cannot check your agent-based marketplaces for sales or delist items there until it comes back. Treecat emails you when the agent goes down.

• Many sellers use a spare laptop or small desktop that stays plugged in, and turn their main computer off at night.
• Set the computer's power settings so it never sleeps while plugged in. See The agent keeps going offline.
• You can use Treecat itself from any browser, phone or computer. Only the agent needs to stay running.

Does the agent have to be on the computer I browse from?Copy Anchor Link

No. Leave the agent on a spare computer and use the Treecat website from any device. The one exception is the first sign-in to an agent-based marketplace: the login window opens in the Treecat desktop app, so do it on the computer running the agent. After that you can use Treecat anywhere.

What computer does the agent need?Copy Anchor Link

• Windows, Mac or Linux. Windows 10 generally works; very old operating systems may be slow or have trouble.
• 8 GB of RAM is recommended. The agent runs a small virtual machine. Computers with 4 GB often struggle, especially with two antivirus programs running.
• Virtualization. On Windows it must be on; the app can switch on the Windows part for you. See Turn on virtualization. Macs need no setup.
• A steady internet connection, and the computer must stay awake.

In the agent window you can choose a performance mode: Economy (2 GB) uses the least memory, Balanced (4 GB) mixes speed and efficiency, and Performance (8 GB) is the fastest. The more memory you give it, the faster actions run.

Is it safe to install?Copy Anchor Link

• Treecat does not store your marketplace passwords. You log in to each marketplace yourself, and the agent keeps that marketplace's login session, limited to that marketplace's own website.
• The agent signs in to Treecat with a secure token tied to your Google account.
• Login sessions expire every few months. Treecat emails you when you need to log in again.
• The Mac app is signed and notarized by Apple. On Windows, Treecat recommends installing from the Microsoft Store.
• Payment details are handled by Treecat's payment provider. Treecat never sees your card number.

Windows: virtualization must be onCopy Anchor Link

The agent runs its browser inside a small virtual machine, which needs virtualization. Most PCs already have it on, and the app can switch on the Windows part with an Enable & restart button. If it is off in the BIOS, follow Turn on virtualization. Cloud PCs and VPS hosts only work if the provider allows nested virtualization.

Is there a cloud agent?Copy Anchor Link

Some accounts see a choice between Desktop agent and Cloud agent on Settings → Agent. The cloud agent is in beta and runs on Treecat's servers, but the Treecat app still needs to be open on your computer, because it carries your connection. If you do not see the choice, use the desktop agent.

Frequently asked questionsCopy Anchor Link

Can I turn my computer off at night?Copy Anchor Link

Only if another computer with the Treecat agent stays on. While no agent is online, sales on Poshmark, Mercari, Whatnot, Facebook Marketplace and Etsy are not checked and those marketplaces cannot be delisted. eBay, Amazon, Walmart and Shopify keep working.

Do I need the agent on every computer I use?Copy Anchor Link

No. Install it on one computer that stays on, and use Treecat from any browser anywhere.

Does Treecat have a browser extension?Copy Anchor Link

No. Treecat uses the desktop agent instead, and marketplace logins happen inside it.

Is the agent free?Copy Anchor Link

Yes. The agent is part of Treecat. You only pay when a billable item sells.

Can I run the agent on a cloud server?Copy Anchor Link

Only if the provider supports nested virtualization. Most sellers use a regular Windows PC or Mac.