Free · Open source · MIT
Install in one line.
Paste this into the Terminal on your Mac or Linux machine. Run it again any time to get the newest release.
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/theappfoundryco/catalyst/main/get.sh | sh
Prefer to look first? Read the script, or
build it yourself with make build.
Requirements
What you'll need.
-
A Mac or a Linux machine
macOS or a common Linux, on Apple silicon, Intel or ARM. Windows is not supported.
-
curl or wget
To download it. That is the whole list: no Python, no Node, no Xcode, no git.
-
About 10 MB
One program in ~/.local/bin. Its history and settings add a few kilobytes.
Installing
Four steps, then you're in.
- 01
Run the one line
It downloads the newest release for your machine and checks its checksum. A download that does not match is refused.
- 02
Say yes to the PATH line, if you like
It offers to add one marked line to your shell startup file, so catalyst works from any folder. Nothing else changes.
- 03
Say hello
Catalyst opens straight away. The first time, it asks what to call you, checks for Homebrew and Apple's Command Line Tools, and offers smartmontools. Say no to anything: it is remembered, and Helpers under More has it later.
- 04
Run Doctor
Press Enter on Doctor. It reads your setup and changes nothing. Move to a finding and press Enter for how to sort it out.
Updating
One command, checked.
catalyst update It says what is new and asks first, then downloads the release, checks its checksum and swaps the program in one step. Nothing happens by itself in the background.
Just looking? catalyst update --check tells you if there is something new and changes nothing.
Removing
Leaves cleanly.
catalyst uninstall Removes the program, its line in your shell startup file, and its history and settings. It lists all of that first. Anything it moved to the Trash stays there, yours to keep or empty, and Homebrew and whatever it installed are left alone.
Everyday
Where to start.
catalyst The list, with every command a few keys away. Arrows and Enter, nothing to type.
catalyst doctor Finds what is wrong, and a guide for each finding. Add --fix to work through what it can change.
catalyst space Where your storage goes. catalyst system explains System Data and what can safely go.
catalyst undo Reverses the last change. catalyst log shows them all.
Help
Wrong result, or an idea?
A check that got your machine wrong is a bug, even if nothing crashed. Include the raw output of the tool behind it, with anything personal removed. The docs say which tool each command reads.