Shape for Mac

macOS 11 Big Sur or later · Apple Silicon and Intel · Free

Install in three steps

1. Drag Shape into Applications

   Open the downloaded .dmg and drag Shape onto the Applications folder.

2. Let macOS open it

   Shape isn't signed with an Apple Developer ID yet, so macOS says "Shape can't be opened" until you allow it. Open Terminal (press ⌘ Space, type Terminal, press Return), paste this and press Return:

   xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Shape.appCopy

   This removes the "downloaded from the internet" flag from Shape only. You need it once per download; Shape's own updates don't need it.

3. Start Shape

   Open Shape from Applications or Launchpad. Or start it from Terminal:

   /Applications/Shape.app/Contents/MacOS/shape-desktopCopy

   Started this way, Shape shows its messages in Terminal, which helps if something goes wrong. Closing that Terminal window also closes Shape, so next time just open it from Applications.

Good to know

• Where it lives. Shape sits on your desktop and has an icon in the menu bar (top right) to show or hide it. It has no Dock icon. Right-click Shape for its menu.
• Updates. Shape updates itself: new versions download in the background and install while you're away. They're signed, so only genuine releases install.
• Keychain. After an update, macOS may ask whether Shape can use the sign-in it saved in your Keychain. Choose Always Allow.
• Notifications. The first reminder asks to send notifications. You can change it later in System Settings → Notifications → Shape.
• Start at login. Turn on Open at login in Shape's Settings → Behavior.
• Screenshots. Shape hides itself from screenshots and screen sharing. To include it, turn off Invisible in screen shares & recordings in Settings → Behavior.
• Not on Mac yet. Push-to-talk voice input, and noticing macOS Focus modes. Shape still goes quiet when an app is fullscreen or your microphone is in use.

Something not working?

Shape's log is at ~/Library/Logs/com.shape.desktoppet/shape.log (in Finder: ⌘ ⇧ G and paste the path). Send it with a screenshot to shapexdev@proton.me, or open an issue. Thanks for trying the beta!

Uninstall

Quit Shape from its menu bar icon, then drag Shape from Applications to the Trash.