https://github.com/gingerbeardman/stapler
My take on the classic Macintosh app Stapler (with a little bit of LaunchList)
https://github.com/gingerbeardman/stapler
document-management launcher-application macintosh project-management
Last synced: about 1 month ago
JSON representation
My take on the classic Macintosh app Stapler (with a little bit of LaunchList)
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/stapler
- Owner: gingerbeardman
- License: mit
- Created: 2024-08-10T18:16:13.000Z (9 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2024-08-23T19:31:49.000Z (9 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-04-06T10:57:21.174Z (about 1 month ago)
- Topics: document-management, launcher-application, macintosh, project-management
- Language: Swift
- Homepage: https://blog.gingerbeardman.com/2024/08/10/stapler-i-remade-a-32-year-old-classic-macintosh-app/
- Size: 518 KB
- Stars: 257
- Watchers: 4
- Forks: 10
- Open Issues: 6
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Funding: .github/FUNDING.yml
- License: LICENSE
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README
# Stapler
My take on the classic Macintosh app [Stapler](https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/stapler-11) (Chris Patterson, Patterson Software Works, 1992).
With a little bit of the early Mac OS X app [LaunchList](http://hasseg.org/launchList/) (Ali Rantakari, hasseg.org, 2009).
More info in [the accompanying blog post](https://blog.gingerbeardman.com/2024/08/10/stapler-i-remade-a-32-year-old-classic-macintosh-app/).
## Download
[https://github.com/gingerbeardman/stapler/releases/latest](https://github.com/gingerbeardman/stapler/releases/latest)
- supported: macOS 12 and newer
## What is it?
The idea is you set up a *Stapler Document* per project containing related apps, files, folders, etc.
Then you can open them all at once by launching the single document.
Each document contains a list of aliases that can be managed, inspected, launched using the app.
Task-based computing.
## Use cases
- Work: text editor, run current game, pixel art editor, bitmap font app, todo list
- Play: Music app, Hacker News app, Twitter app, script to position windows
- Movie: run Caffeine to keep your computer on, shortcut to put displays to sleep
----
## Usage
### Opening the app
- The app is digitally signed by me and my Apple developer account
- The app is *not* Notarised and I currently have no plans to do so
- You may need to do the right-click-choose-open Gatekeeper dance a couple of times to open it
### Editing a list
1. Open `Stapler.app`
2. Create a New Document
3. Add some items
- using drag and drop from Finder or other apps
- or using the menu `Items` > `Add`
4. Items can be removed (they are aliases so files on disk are not affected)
5. Save your list as a *Stapler Document*
All standard macOS Document-Based App conventions are supported through the File menu. And things like Undo just works!
### Launching a list
1. Open your *Stapler Document*
2. All items in the list will be launched automatically
3. `Stapler.app` will close (if it was not already open)
*Tip*: hold the Cmd key whilst launching a *Stapler Document* to open it in edit mode.
### Launching specific items
1. Open `Stapler.app`
2. Open a *Stapler Document*
3. Select the items you want to launch
4. Select `Items` > `Launch` (or press Return)
### Working with a list
1. Open `Stapler.app`
2. Open a *Stapler Document*
- use `File` > `Open…`
- use `File` > `Open Recent`
3. Use the `Items` menu
*Tip*: hold the Cmd key whilst launching a *Stapler Document* to open it in edit mode.
### Keyboard controls
|Press |Function|
|:--|:----|
|Cmd + Return|Add… (open file selector)|
|Backspace|Remove|
|Space|Quick Look|
|Cmd + R|Reveal in Finder|
|Return|Launch|
### Permissions
- All files you select or drop are recorded only as macOS filesystem bookmarks
- The only files that are written to are Stapler Documents
- Network permission is required to Quick Look .webloc files
- The app should prompt for file access permission
- You may want to grant additional file access permissions at:
- `System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access`
- Since 1.2.1 the app is Notarized so it can be run with fewer nags
---
## Bonus tip
System Preferences > Desktop & Dock > Windows > Close windows when quitting an application = OFF
Then leave the windows of an app open as you quit it. When you next launch the app its windows will restore to their previous size and position. If you close the windows first, then the app will restore to having no windows open.
----
## Get involved
- Please use Discussions for any questions
- Wiki contains info for power users
- Bug reports and PRs are very welcome!
## Licence
[MIT](/LICENSE)