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Installation

Glyph is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Official release binaries include a 48-hour free trial, with optional license activation for continued use.
Open Source: Glyph’s source code is public on GitHub. Development builds are free and unlimited—the trial only applies to official release binaries.

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Download Glyph

GitHub Releases

Download official binaries (free 48-hour trial)

Purchase License

Buy a lifetime license on Gumroad

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Platform-Specific Installation

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macOS Installation

1

Download

  1. Visit GitHub Releases
  2. Download the latest .dmg or .app file for macOS
2

Install

  1. Open the downloaded .dmg file (if applicable)
  2. Drag Glyph.app to your Applications folder
3

First Launch (Unsigned Build)

Glyph is currently distributed as an unsigned macOS app. On first launch, macOS may block it with a message like:
“Glyph can’t be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.”
This is expected. To open Glyph:Method 1: System Settings
  1. Try opening Glyph once (it will be blocked)
  2. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security
  3. Scroll to the security section
  4. Click Open Anyway next to Glyph
  5. Confirm by clicking Open in the dialog
Method 2: Finder
  1. In Finder, right-click Glyph.app
  2. Click Open
  3. Click Open again in the warning dialog
After this one-time approval, Glyph will open normally. You only need to do this once.

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Why is Glyph unsigned?

Glyph is not Apple-notarized or code-signed. This is a common approach for open source desktop apps distributed outside the Mac App Store.
  • Security: Review the source code yourself
  • Future: Code signing may be added in future releases
  • Alternatives: Build from source for complete control

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First Launch & Setup

1

Welcome Screen

When you first open Glyph, you’ll see an animated welcome screen introducing the app.The welcome flow shows:
  1. Hero - Introduction to Glyph
  2. Quick Tips - Three key concepts (open folder, browse files, find fast)
  3. Get Started - Create or open your first space
2

Create or Open a Space

A space is a folder where Glyph stores your notes. Choose one:
  • Create New Space - Glyph creates a new folder
  • Open Existing Folder - Use a folder that already contains markdown files
  • Continue Last Space - Return to your most recent workspace
You can have multiple spaces for different projects. Switch between them using the command palette (Cmd+K or Ctrl+K).
3

Start Using Glyph

Once your space is open, you’re ready to go!
  • Create your first note
  • Explore the file tree
  • Try the command palette (Cmd+K / Ctrl+K)
See the Quickstart Guide for a detailed walkthrough.

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Trial & Licensing

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48-Hour Free Trial

Official release binaries include a 48-hour free trial:
  • Trial starts on first launch
  • Full access to all features during trial
  • Trial countdown shown in a banner
  • No credit card required
The trial timer is stored locally and tied to your installation. Development builds (built from source) have no trial or licensing.

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After the Trial

When the trial expires:
  1. Glyph shows a lock screen with activation options
  2. You can:
    • Enter a license key (purchased from Gumroad)
    • Purchase a license (opens Gumroad in browser)

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License Activation

1

Purchase a License

Buy Glyph on Gumroad:
  • One-time purchase
  • Lifetime access
  • Unlimited devices
  • No subscription
2

Activate Your License

After purchase, you’ll receive a license key via email.Option 1: During Trial
  • Click Enter License Key in the trial banner
  • Paste your key and click Activate
Option 2: After Trial Expires
  • Enter your key on the lock screen
  • Click Activate
Option 3: Settings
  • Open Settings (Cmd+, or Ctrl+,)
  • Go to General → License
  • Click Enter License Key
3

Verification

Glyph verifies your license with Gumroad:
  • Online verification required once
  • Offline use after successful activation
  • License stored locally (encrypted)
  • No periodic re-checks
Glyph needs internet access once to verify your license. After that, it works completely offline.

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License Details

From the official licensing documentation:
  • One-time purchase - Pay once, use forever
  • Lifetime access - No expiration
  • Unlimited devices - Install on all your computers
  • No seat limits - Use across work and personal machines
  • No device binding - Transfer between devices freely
  • Offline use - No periodic online re-checks after activation
These remain free and unrestricted:
  • Source code - Always public on GitHub
  • Development builds - Build from source yourself
  • Community builds - Self-compiled binaries
The license only applies to official release binaries distributed through GitHub Releases.

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Building from Source

If you prefer to build Glyph yourself (no trial, no licensing):
1

Prerequisites

Install required tools:
  • Node.js 18+ and pnpm
  • Rust (latest stable)
  • Tauri CLI dependencies for your platform
See Tauri prerequisites for platform-specific setup.
2

Clone & Build

git clone https://github.com/SidhuK/Glyph.git
cd Glyph
pnpm install
pnpm tauri build
The built app will be in src-tauri/target/release/bundle/.
3

Development Mode

For development with hot-reload:
pnpm tauri dev
Development builds use the environment variable GLYPH_OFFICIAL_BUILD=1 to determine if licensing should be enforced. Local builds default to unlimited use.

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Automatic Updates

Glyph includes an automatic updater powered by Tauri:
  • Checks for updates on launch
  • Downloads updates in the background
  • Prompts you to install when ready
  • Updates are signed and verified
The updater uses GitHub Releases as the update source. Both free and licensed users receive updates the same way.

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Troubleshooting

See the macOS installation instructions above. You need to approve Glyph once in System Settings → Privacy & Security.
Click More info → Run anyway. This is normal for apps not distributed through the Microsoft Store.
Common issues:
  • No internet connection - Glyph needs internet for initial activation
  • Invalid key - Double-check the key from your Gumroad purchase email
  • Already activated - Each key can be used on unlimited devices
If problems persist, contact support via GitHub Issues.
  • Ensure you have write permissions to the folder
  • Try creating a new folder in a location you own (e.g., Documents)
  • Check that the folder path doesn’t contain special characters

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System Requirements

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Minimum Requirements

  • macOS: 10.15 (Catalina) or later
  • Windows: Windows 10 or later
  • Linux: Modern distro with GTK 3.24+
  • 4 GB RAM (8 GB+ for AI features with Ollama)
  • 500 MB free disk space
  • Internet connection for:
    • Initial license activation
    • AI providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini)
    • Automatic updates
Offline use: After initial setup, Glyph works completely offline. Use Ollama for local AI with no internet required.

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Data & Privacy

Glyph is offline-first and local-first:
  • All notes stored as plain markdown files on your device
  • Search index stored in .glyph/index.db within your space
  • No cloud sync or telemetry
  • AI requests go directly to your chosen provider (if you configure one)
  • License verification requires one internet check, then works offline
Your data never touches Glyph’s servers. The only network requests are license verification (one-time) and AI API calls (if you enable them).

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Support & Community

Quickstart Guide

Learn how to use Glyph in 5 minutes

GitHub Issues

Report bugs or request features

Source Code

Explore the codebase

License Support

Get help with licensing

Ready to start?

Follow the quickstart guide