---
title: Install Capd
description: Download Capd, complete first-run setup, update it, or remove it.
---

Capd requires **macOS 26 or later**. Releases are universal, so the same
download works on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.

## Direct download

1. Download the notarized `.dmg` from the
   [latest GitHub release](https://github.com/jamiedavenport/capd/releases/latest).
2. Open the disk image and drag `capd.app` to Applications.
3. Launch Capd from Applications.

The bundled CLI is available at `/Applications/capd.app/Contents/MacOS/capd`.
Add that path to your shell configuration if you want to use it directly.

## Homebrew

```sh
brew install jamiedavenport/tap/capd
```

Homebrew installs `capd.app` into `/Applications` and makes the bundled `capd`
CLI available on your `PATH`.

## First run

Capd guides you through four short steps:

1. **Choose hotkeys.** Keep the defaults or record combinations that fit your
   workflow: ⌃⌥C to capture, ⌃⌥N to note the last capture, and ⌥⇧Space to
   search.
2. **Grant Accessibility access.** This lets Capd read selected text, detect
   secure fields, and read the current tab in Firefox-based browsers. It is
   optional; without it, hotkey capture uses the clipboard fallback.
3. **Allow browser access.** Safari, Chrome, Arc, and Helium use per-browser macOS
   Automation permission to share the current tab's address and title.
4. **Try the loop.** Make one capture, open search, and find it again.

Capd also installs its background helper on first launch. The helper enriches
captured pages and images even while the menu-bar app is closed.

{/*
MEDIA: onboarding.png
Show the “Try it” onboarding step after a successful first capture. Include the
two default shortcuts and the green background-helper confirmation so users
know the setup is short and guided.
*/}

## Update

Capd checks GitHub Releases for a newer version at most once a week. You can
disable this in Settings. When an update is available, the menu-bar app offers
to copy this command:

```sh
brew upgrade jamiedavenport/tap/capd
```

For a direct installation, download the newest `.dmg` and replace the existing
app in Applications.

## Uninstall

With Homebrew:

```sh
brew uninstall capd
```

To remove the app and its stored captures:

```sh
brew uninstall --zap capd
```

For a direct installation, run `capd doctor --uninstall-agent`, quit the app,
and delete `/Applications/capd.app`. Your library remains in
`~/Library/Application Support/capd/` until you remove that folder.

Want to build from source? See the repository's
[contributor guide](https://github.com/jamiedavenport/capd/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).