Install the early access

Why the extra step? Apple charges developers $99 a year to sign and notarize Mac apps. KelpShot isn't signed yet, so the first time you open it macOS says it can't verify the developer. The app is the same one I use every day; the warning only means Apple hasn't checked it. Donations go toward that $99 fee, every donor gets a spot on the supporters wall, and the signed version will be a free update for everyone.

1. Check the download

Before you let the app past Gatekeeper, make sure it is the one published here. In Terminal, run shasum -a 256 ~/Downloads/KelpShot-0.1.0-early-access.zip and compare the result with the SHA-256 above. If it differs, delete the zip and download it again from https://kelpshot.app, never from a mirror or a link in an email. The same checksum is also posted on the announcement post.

2. Move it to Applications

Open the downloaded zip (Safari usually unzips it for you), then drag KelpShot.app into your Applications folder. Launch at login only works from there.

3. Open it the first time

macOS 15 Sequoia or later:

1. Double-click KelpShot. macOS says "Apple could not verify 'KelpShot' is free of malware". Click Done (not Move to Trash).
2. Open System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security and scroll down to Security.
3. Next to "KelpShot was blocked to protect your Mac", click Open Anyway, then confirm with your password or Touch ID.
4. Double-click KelpShot again and click Open Anyway in the dialog.

macOS 14 Sonoma: Control-click (or right-click) KelpShot in Applications, choose Open, then click Open in the dialog.

You only do this once per version. After that KelpShot opens normally.

4. Allow Screen Recording

The first time you capture, macOS asks for Screen Recording. Turn on KelpShot in System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security ▸ Screen & System Audio Recording, then quit and reopen KelpShot when macOS asks. KelpShot never records audio or video; screenshots stay on your Mac.

Optional: scrolling capture by dragging to the screen edge, and Auto scroll, also need Accessibility. KelpShot asks only when you use those features.

Updating

Download the new zip and replace KelpShot.app in Applications. Because early access builds aren't signed, macOS treats each new version as a different app: repeat steps 1 and 3, and turn Screen Recording off and on again for KelpShot if captures come out blank. Your settings and license are kept.

If something goes wrong

• "KelpShot is damaged and can't be opened": for an unsigned app this usually means the signature doesn't match, which is what a corrupted or tampered download looks like. First check the SHA-256 (step 1) and run codesign --verify --deep --strict /Applications/KelpShot.app; if either fails, delete the app and download it again. Only if both pass, the quarantine flag itself is stuck: run xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/KelpShot.app, or email me and I'll help.
• Captures are blank or show only the wallpaper: Screen Recording isn't active for this copy. Turn it off and on for KelpShot, then quit and reopen it.
• Intel Mac: early access runs on Apple silicon only.

Questions or bugs: [email protected].