Platform support
The platform contract, native build requirements, and where to find exact live download availability.
This page separates three things that are easy to conflate:
- Supported — the application is written and configured to run there.
- Built — an artifact has actually been produced and tested.
- Published — you can download it from this site right now.
Release platform contract
Only platforms that can ship on the live channel appear here. Dead "not published" rows for Windows ARM64 and Linux RPM were removed (ORION-A / LB-19, 2026-08-05) — an honest shorter list beats a promise we cannot keep.
| Platform id | Supported | Built | Published | Install kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
windows-x64 | Yes | Yes | When channel lists it | Squirrel Setup.exe |
mac-arm64 | Yes | When CI/mac host runs | When channel lists it | DMG |
mac-x64 | Yes | When CI/mac host runs | When channel lists it | DMG |
linux-deb-x64 | Yes | When CI/Linux host runs | When channel lists it | DEB |
linux-appimage-x64 | Yes | When CI/Linux host runs | When channel lists it | AppImage |
IMPORTANT
The release manifest omits every platform without a verified artifact, and the download page renders only what the manifest contains — so an unpublished platform is never offered as a broken download. Use the download page, not this static contract table, for the exact current channel.
Explicitly not in v1
| Platform id | Why cut |
|---|---|
windows-arm64 | Never built on a native ARM64 runner; cannot cross-build a trustworthy Squirrel package from the Windows x64 dogfood host (node-pty / ConPTY prebuilds are arch-specific). Re-add only after native ARM64 make + install proof. |
linux-rpm-x64 | MakerRpm was configured historically but never published to a release channel; maker removed. Fedora/RHEL users use AppImage until a full RPM path is proven end to end. |
Why macOS and Linux need native hosts
Electron Forge only invokes makers matching the machine it runs on:
- A Windows host produces Squirrel
Setup.exeand a portable ZIP. - A macOS host is required for DMG/ZIP (and signing/notarization).
- A Linux host is required for DEB and AppImage.
Signing status
| Platform | Signing | Current state |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Authenticode + trusted timestamp | Not signed for public stable until G4. Preview may be unsigned with clear labeling. |
| macOS | Developer ID, hardened runtime, notarization, stapling | Prep wired; G5 FAIL until credentials + notarized artifact |
| Linux | Signed checksums / GPG on release assets | Protected release path when keys are configured |
Update behaviour by platform
| Platform id | Update mode |
|---|---|
windows-x64 | Automatic (Squirrel), verified against size and SHA-256 |
mac-arm64 / mac-x64 | Manual verified download until a supported feed exists (see LB-12) |
linux-deb-x64 | Package manager / download notice |
linux-appimage-x64 | User-local install and verified replacement when updater path is ready |
Feature parity
Do not assume parity across platforms. Several capabilities have platform-specific behaviour:
| Capability | Note |
|---|---|
| Voice dictation | Needs Python 3.10+ on PATH; model downloaded on first use |
| Read Aloud (TTS) | On-device, no Python required after first model download |
| System-wide dictation | Behaviour differs by OS window manager |
Ctrl+B tmux prefix | Literal Ctrl on every OS, including macOS |
mod shortcuts | ⌘ on macOS, Ctrl elsewhere |
Related
- Install on Windows
- App repo:
docs/release/PLATFORM_CONTRACT.md,SITE_HANDOFF.md