macOS Notes

GoPaste has deep macOS integration but requires a few setup steps on first launch.

First Launch: Gatekeeper Warning

GoPaste is currently distributed without an Apple Developer certificate (ad-hoc signed). macOS Gatekeeper may block it on first launch.

"Cannot open — unidentified developer" message:

1. Drag GoPaste.app into your Applications folder
2. Double-click to open (being blocked is expected — dismiss the dialog)
3. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll to the bottom, and click "Open Anyway"

Alternatively, right-click (Control+click) → Open in Finder, then click "Open" in the dialog.

"GoPaste.app is damaged and can't be opened"

Run this command in Terminal:

xattr -cr /Applications/GoPaste.app

This removes the quarantine attribute that Gatekeeper added. Then try opening again.

Accessibility Permission (Required for Auto-Paste)

GoPaste simulates Cmd+V to paste content into the target app, which requires Accessibility permission.

The system will prompt you the first time you trigger a paste — just follow the instructions.

After Every Upgrade

Important

After every GoPaste upgrade, you must:

1. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
2. Find GoPaste in the list
3. Click the − (minus) button to remove it
4. Return to GoPaste and trigger a paste
5. Re-authorize when prompted

Why? macOS tracks ad-hoc signed apps by their binary hash (CDHash). Each new build has a different hash, so the old authorization becomes invalid — but the UI still shows it as enabled, causing silent failures.

See the full technical explanation in the macOS Accessibility deep-dive section below.

Technical Details: Why Re-Authorization Is Needed

macOS's TCC (Transparency, Consent, and Control) system stores authorization records. For ad-hoc signed apps (no Apple Developer certificate), it tracks authorization by CDHash — a hash of the binary content.

When you build/upgrade GoPaste:

• The binary changes → CDHash changes
• The TCC record references the old CDHash → authorization fails
• But the System Settings UI shows it by bundle ID, so the toggle looks enabled

Solution (long-term): Signing with an Apple Developer ID certificate makes TCC track by TeamIdentifier + bundle ID, which is stable across builds. This requires an Apple Developer account ($99/year).

System Tray

GoPaste uses a native macOS status bar item. Click the tray icon to:

• Open the panel
• Open Settings
• Quit

Window Behavior

GoPaste uses a native NSPanel (not a regular NSWindow) so it doesn't steal focus from the app you're working in. You can summon it, paste, and it disappears — your previous app stays in focus throughout.