Based on upstream documentation. These steps have not been independently tested in the desktop app; menu labels and behavior may differ by release.
After installation: verify the basics
- Launch without a document and check Help → About or the available version display. Record the installed version.
- Open a small PNG through File → Open. Add a layer or a small edit; save to a new filename.
- Reopen the saved copy and export a PNG. Check dimensions and appearance before using an important project.
Follow the first-project tutorial → · If the app will not start →
What to include when installation fails
Package filename, system version, CPU architecture, PhotoCraft version, and the exact error. State whether the installer failed or the installed app failed to launch; they are different stages.
Step by step
Choose the official macOS package
The official product page lists a universal disk image for Apple silicon and Intel. Read the current release notes for operating-system requirements before downloading.
Install the app
Open the downloaded disk image and follow its installation instructions. If it presents an application icon and Applications shortcut, copy the app to Applications before launching it.
Keep security checks intact
If macOS refuses to open a package, confirm its source and review the official release guidance. Avoid terminal commands that recursively remove quarantine attributes from unrelated files.
Separate app and CLI downloads
The desktop application and photocraft-cli are separate download choices. Start with the app for visual editing; choose the CLI only when you need automation.
Sources and further reading
PhotoCraft is in early alpha. Keep original files and test a copy before relying on it for important work.
Suggest a correction →