Support
Piton is an Apple Watch and iPhone app that helps you track indoor and outdoor rock climbing sessions — sends, flashes, and falls all counted as real climbing, with each project tracked attempt by attempt.
If something isn't working or you have a question, email jschwerdtfeger@mac.com. We read everything and usually reply within a few days. The common questions below cover most of what comes up.
01
Contact
Piton is developed by Jeff Schwerdtfeger. For help, bug reports, or feedback, use the email below.
- jschwerdtfeger@mac.com
- Web
- fieldnotes.cc
02
Common questions
How do I start a climbing session?
Open Piton on your Apple Watch and tap Climb On. The watch auto-detects climbs from altitude and motion, and you can always mark or correct a climb yourself. No watch handy? The iPhone app has a phone-capture mode that uses the iPhone's barometer.
Why don't climbs auto-detect on a desk or simulator?
Detection is sensor-driven — it needs a real Apple Watch worn while you climb. The live screens still appear, but climbs are only detected from actual altitude changes on the wall.
The Action Button doesn't mark a lap.
The Action Button mapping is set by you on the watch in Settings > Action Button > Shortcut, then choose Piton's Mark Lap shortcut. Apple doesn't allow apps to bind the Action Button automatically.
The AI notes aren't doing anything.
The AI features (Coach's Notes, Ask Piton, threshold tuning, bug reports) are optional and use your own Anthropic API key. Add it under Tools > AI Helper > Settings on the iPhone. Without a key, those screens stay inactive by design. The AI only summarizes what already happened — it never prescribes training.
Where is my data stored?
On your own devices, synced between your Apple Watch and iPhone over Apple's platform — no accounts and no servers we operate. See the Privacy Policy for full detail, including exactly what is sent to Anthropic when you use the optional AI features.
03
Privacy
Piton has no accounts, no analytics, and no advertising SDKs, and does not sell your data. Full details are in the Piton Privacy Policy.