> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pidgeon.health/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install on macOS

> Download the signed, notarized macOS apps from the downloads catalog, verify checksums, and launch.

Pidgeon ships five macOS desktop apps: **Post**, **Flock**, **Loft**, **Migrate**, and the **Pidgeon** launcher. Each is a separate download. Install only what you need.

Current beta release: `0.2.0-beta.1`.

## Requirements

* macOS 12 (Monterey) or later
* AI features (optional) run on-device and recommend 16 GB RAM; everything else runs comfortably below that

## Download and install

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download from the catalog">
    Get the apps from the downloads catalog at [downloads.pidgeon.health](https://downloads.pidgeon.health). The catalog lists every app, its current version, and a SHA-256 checksum per file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the checksum (optional but recommended)">
    ```bash theme={null}
    shasum -a 256 ~/Downloads/Post_0.2.0-beta.1_universal.dmg
    ```

    Compare the output against the checksum shown in the catalog. If they differ, do not install: re-download, and contact [support@pidgeon.health](mailto:support@pidgeon.health) if it still differs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install">
    Open the `.dmg` and drag the app into **Applications**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="First launch">
    The macOS apps are signed with an Apple Developer ID certificate (**Pattern Engine LLC**) and notarized by Apple, so Gatekeeper opens them normally — you won't see the "cannot be opened because Apple cannot verify it" block. On the very first launch macOS may show a one-time "downloaded from the internet" confirmation; click **Open**.

    To confirm the signature and notarization yourself:

    ```bash theme={null}
    codesign -dv --verbose=4 /Applications/Post.app
    spctl -a -vvv /Applications/Post.app   # → "accepted", source: Notarized Developer ID
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign in (where needed)">
    Each app starts its local Bridge sidecar (the engine process) on a loopback port: Loft on `localhost:5100`, Post on `localhost:5101`, Flock on `localhost:5102`. The Bridge binds to loopback only; nothing listens on your network.

    Post works without an account. Flock, Loft, Migrate, and the launcher ask you to sign in with your Pidgeon account.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Get started with the launcher" icon="rocket" href="/getting-started/launcher">
    One sign-in, one place to see your installed apps.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Get started with Post" icon="paper-plane" href="/getting-started/post">
    Generate and validate your first message. No account needed.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>