1. Download Paletide

Paletide currently requires macOS 13 or later and supports both Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Public releases are distributed from the Releases page of the public GitHub repository.

Download the latest DMG

The current release is not signed with Developer ID

The button downloads the macOS DMG from the latest public GitHub Release. On first launch, follow this page to choose Open Anyway in Privacy & Security.

2. Move Paletide to Applications

Open the DMG

Double-click the downloaded paletide-macos.dmg file.

Drag the app

Drag the Paletide icon into the Applications folder shown in the DMG window.

Launch it from Applications

Open Applications in Finder and double-click Paletide. Do not keep running the app directly from the DMG window.

3. If macOS cannot verify the developer

Because the current release does not have a Developer ID, macOS may say that Apple cannot verify whether Paletide contains malware that could harm your Mac or compromise your privacy, then block the first launch. This warning does not mean macOS has detected malware. It means the app does not have an Apple developer signature and notarization ticket.

Dismiss the warning

Click Done or OK in the dialog that blocks the launch.

Open Privacy & Security

Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, then scroll down to the Security section.

Click Open Anyway

Find the message that Paletide was blocked and click Open Anyway beside it.

Confirm the launch

Authenticate with your login password or Touch ID, then click Open in the confirmation dialog.

Use Open Anyway only for a trusted download

Confirm that your file came from the GitHub Release linked by this website. Do not bypass macOS protections for a same-named file received through a chat group, cloud drive, or unfamiliar website.

Cannot find the Open Anyway button?

Double-click Paletide again in Applications so macOS records a recent blocked launch.
Open System Settings > Privacy & Security immediately afterward. The button usually appears only for a limited time.
Make sure you have administrator access on the Mac. Organization-managed Macs may be restricted by company policy.
You can also Control-click Paletide in Finder, choose Open, and check whether macOS offers a confirmable Open button.

4. Activate your license and apply a theme

After Paletide opens, select License Management in the sidebar and enter the license code supplied through your Xianyu order. The first activation requires an internet connection, and the license code is stored in the macOS Keychain.

Activate the license

Paste the license code, make sure the Mac is online, and complete the online verification.

Install the component

Return to the theme library and follow the prompt to install or update the local theme component.

Apply a theme

Choose a built-in theme or import your own images, preview the result, and click Apply.

5. Troubleshooting

Paletide cannot find Codex after launch

Install the supported official Codex or ChatGPT desktop app for macOS, open it at least once, and complete its initial setup. Then quit the official app and return to Paletide to refresh the status.

macOS says the app is damaged

Delete the current file and download it again from the GitHub Release linked by this website. Do not run an untrusted "repair command," and do not disable Gatekeeper system-wide.

The interface looks wrong after applying a theme

Open Runtime Status in Paletide and use the diagnostics or connection repair action. If the issue remains, choose Restore Official Appearance, then reopen the official desktop app.