docs: add macOS quarantine warning to Installation section#108
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2lbj wants to merge 1 commit intoDetachHead:masterfrom
Closed
docs: add macOS quarantine warning to Installation section#1082lbj wants to merge 1 commit intoDetachHead:masterfrom
2lbj wants to merge 1 commit intoDetachHead:masterfrom
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Pull request overview
Adds a macOS-specific installation warning to address Gatekeeper quarantine blocking unsigned DMG installs, and documents a terminal command workaround.
Changes:
- Add a GitHub admonition warning in the Installation section for macOS Gatekeeper/quarantine behavior.
- Document
xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Rebased.appas the fix to allow the app to launch.
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| > For linux users, we recommend using either [AppManager](https://github.com/kem-a/AppManager) or [Gear Lever](https://github.com/mijorus/gearlever) to install the AppImage to your applications menu, and for automatic updates. | ||
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| > [!WARNING] | ||
| > **macOS users**: After copying Rebased.app to your Applications folder, you may see *"Rebased.app is damaged and can't be opened"*. This happens because the releases are not code-signed with an Apple Developer certificate. To fix it, run: |
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The suggested xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine ... workaround disables Gatekeeper’s quarantine checks for the app bundle. Consider explicitly noting that users should only run this if they trust the download source (e.g., official GitHub releases) and that it reduces macOS security protections, so the risk is clear.
Suggested change
| > **macOS users**: After copying Rebased.app to your Applications folder, you may see *"Rebased.app is damaged and can't be opened"*. This happens because the releases are not code-signed with an Apple Developer certificate. To fix it, run: | |
| > **macOS users**: After copying Rebased.app to your Applications folder, you may see *"Rebased.app is damaged and can't be opened"*. This happens because the releases are not code-signed with an Apple Developer certificate. | |
| > | |
| > Only run the following command if you trust the download source, such as the official [GitHub releases](https://github.com/DetachHead/rebased/releases). It removes macOS quarantine metadata for this app and reduces Gatekeeper's security protections for it. | |
| > |
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Problem
When users download the DMG and install Rebased.app on macOS, they see:
This is caused by macOS Gatekeeper rejecting the app because it is not code-signed with an Apple Developer certificate (the
MAC_SIGN_STEPis intentionally skipped in the build configuration).Fix
Added a
[!WARNING]callout to the Installation section explaining the cause and providing the one-line fix:This removes the
com.apple.quarantineextended attribute that triggers Gatekeeper verification, allowing the app to run normally.