FAQ
Below are answers to common questions about the platform.
Getting started
Do I need an account? No, sign-in is optional. You can start working right after opening the app. Just open the link and a new session is created automatically.
What are MAC cards and how do they work online? MAC (metaphorical associative cards) are image-based tools for exploring feelings, meanings, and inner states. On the online board, you pick a deck, draw cards, and capture insights with notes - alone or together with a therapist or group.
How do I invite participants? Copy the link or 6-character code from the session panel and share it. Participants can join immediately without signing up.
Privacy and security
How private is this? Who can see my session? Only people with the link can access the room. Notes can be private, public, or anonymous - your choice. We recommend not putting personal data in notes.
Free plan limits
Free-tier sessions are not auto-saved. Premium and PRO users can save sessions and continue them later – see «Saving sessions» in Rooms and Shared Canvas.
Is the room link secure? Rooms are created with a unique code in the URL. Share the link only with session participants. For sensitive sessions, create a fresh room and avoid posting the link publicly.
Can I stay completely anonymous? Yes. You can skip entering a name and use anonymous notes. No sign-up is required.
Sessions and collaboration
Can I run a live session with a client? Yes. All participants see the same board in sync, right in the browser - no installation needed. You can draw and move cards, add notes, and discuss in the chat.
How many participants can join a room? Up to 150 - suitable for training and MAC practice demos. For therapy sessions led by a professional, we recommend up to 8 people so everyone gets attention.
Who can change settings? Only the host can change deck modes and the room. Participants can draw cards and add notes, but cannot modify session settings.
Working with cards
What's the difference between "blind" and "open" draw? "Blind" - the card is drawn randomly and revealed only after selection. "Open" - you see the cards when choosing, which suits practices involving conscious selection.
Choosing the right mode
Use blind draw for intuitive, subconscious work. Use open draw when you want participants to consciously select images that resonate with them.
How many decks ship with an account? Eleven built-in decks, 929 cards. The full list with themes and groups is in Decks and cards.
Can a layout mix cards from different decks? Yes. There is always one stack on the table, the active deck, but drawn cards are not tied to it. The host can change the deck mid-session and everything already on the table stays in place. The table is cleared only by explicit actions: the "Clear table" button, switching to another session, or ending it.
Can I create my own decks? Yes. The Deck editor is open to anyone signed in: image cards and text cards are both supported. Without Premium you get one slot, with Premium ten, and the PRO badge adds five more. A deck goes through moderation before it is published.
Can I create my own rooms? Yes, in the room editor: any background (image, tile, colour) and your own arrangement of deck slots. Slots work the same way as for decks.
Can I close a session to outsiders? Yes. The host turns on private mode, and PRO or Premium users can add a password on top. See Session access and participation rules.
Is there voice chat? Yes, that is Air: audio and video in the same tab, up to four participants, for signed-in users. See Air.
What if someone else's deck infringes rights? Press "Report" on the deck or room card. The process is described in Reporting content.
Can I connect the cards to an AI agent? Yes, through the Public REST API or MCP. See Public REST API.
Can I draw a card without a session? The website has a "Card of the day" page: three cards a day, no sign-up. Full layout work happens in the app.
Data and history
Are sessions saved? Yes, for Premium and PRO users. Click the save button in the session panel – the table with all objects (cards, notes, tokens, dice, collectibles) is saved and can be restored later. Premium can keep up to 20 saved sessions, PRO up to 5. Free-tier users can use screenshots.
Is the board and notes history saved? The saved-session feature preserves the current state of the table (Premium/PRO). Per-action history (undo/redo of moves and flips) is not stored – for fixed snapshots use screenshots or save the session.
Save your work
Always take screenshots of important layouts before ending a session or switching to another one.
Interface and access
Can I change the interface language? Yes, choose a language in the sidebar. Eleven languages are available: English, Russian, German, Spanish, French, Hebrew, Italian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Romanian and Turkish. This documentation and the self-work guide texts are written by hand in English and Russian; in the other languages the interface is translated and part of the guide text falls back.
Where is chat and the participant list? Open the "Chat and participants" panel using the button in the interface.
Does it work on phones and tablets? Yes, the interface is responsive. Best experience is on a tablet or laptop (more space for the board). We recommend Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.
Pricing and purpose
How much does it cost? Core flow – creating a room, joining via link, working with public decks – is free. Premium and PRO subscriptions unlock features like saved sessions, custom deck creation, and collectible items. See Achievements and Premium for details.
Does this replace therapy? No. This is a tool for working with images and self-reflection. If you need professional support, please consult a qualified specialist.
Not a substitute for professional help
MAC Cards Online is a facilitation tool, not a medical or psychotherapy service. For mental health concerns, please seek help from a qualified professional.
Getting help
Where can I get support? Check the Support tab in the chat panel for documentation links, or use the Feedback tab to contact the development team.
How do I report a bug or suggest a feature? Use the Feedback tab in the chat panel. Select the appropriate type (Bug, Feature, Question, or Other), describe your feedback, and optionally attach a screenshot.
Tips and errors
- If your question is not listed, send it via the "Support" or "Feedback" tab.
- For complex issues, attach a screenshot of the table or the error message.
- Check the Troubleshooting section for common technical issues.
Screenshots
Elements on the screenshot: 1. Search field 2. Question list 3. Expanded answer