Last updated: May 2026
This page explains the cookies and similar technologies (such as browser local storage) that TrueCost uses, what each one does, and how you can control them. We list everything we set, including third-party essentials from our authentication provider (Clerk).
For the wider picture of how we collect and use your data, see the Privacy Policy.
A cookie is a small text file a website stores on your device. We also use browser local storage for some of the same purposes. The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) treats both the same way and we have listed them together below.
| Name | Purpose | Category | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| tc-cookie-consent | Stores your cookie consent choice so we don’t ask again on every visit. | Essential | 6 months |
| tc_searches | Tracks anonymous search count for the free-tier monthly quota. | Essential | 30 days |
| __client_uat, __client_uat_* | Clerk authentication — records when you last authenticated. Set by our authentication provider. | Essential | Session |
| __session, __session_* | Clerk session token — keeps you signed in across pages. Set by our authentication provider. | Essential | Session |
| clerk_active_context | Tracks the active sign-in context within Clerk (e.g. for multi-session support). | Essential | Session |
| tc-impersonate-plan | Admin-only — lets Edward and Sam preview the site as a different plan tier. Only honoured by the backend for admin emails. | Essential | 1 day |
The following keys are stored in your browser's local storage rather than as cookies.
| Key | Purpose | Category |
|---|---|---|
| __clerk_environment | Cached Clerk environment metadata so the auth widget renders faster on repeat visits. | Essential |
| tc:searchCount | Mirrors the tc_searches cookie locally so the free-tier counter survives cookie clears within the same browser. | Functional |
| tc:refinements:* | Per-property AVM refinement choices (condition, finish, bedrooms, etc.) so the property report remembers your tweaks between visits. | Functional |
| tc:surveySubmitted | Records that you’ve responded to the in-app feedback survey so we don’t prompt you again. | Functional |
| tc_super_admin_mode | Admin-only — toggles preview of in-testing features. Only honoured for admin emails. | Essential |
We use Clerk for authentication, which sets the session and authentication cookies listed above. We do not currently use third-party analytics, advertising, or marketing cookies. If we add any in the future, this page will be updated and the cookie consent banner will request fresh consent before any non-essential cookies are set.
You can clear or block cookies in your browser's settings. Note that blocking essential cookies (the ones listed as “Essential” above) will break sign-in and other site functionality. The cookies we set are first-party only, and you can clear local storage from the same browser settings menu.
To withdraw or update your cookie consent on TrueCost specifically, clear thetc-cookie-consentcookie and reload the page — the consent banner will reappear.
We will update this page whenever we add, remove or change the cookies or local storage we use. The “Last updated” date at the top of the page reflects the most recent revision.
Questions about cookies or your data: legal@truecost.live. General queries: hello@truecost.live.
See also: Privacy Policy · Terms of Service.