Slipway is a direct download, not a Mac App Store app. Each release is a disk image signed with Developer ID and notarized by Apple, and the app updates itself through Sparkle.

What you need#

A Mac running macOS 15 Sequoia or later.
An App Store Connect API key. You can create it after installing; see Create an App Store Connect API key.
Xcode, only if you want Slipway to archive and upload builds for you. Everything else works without it. See Builds.

Install Slipway#

Download the latest Slipway-<version>.dmg from slipwaymac.com.
Open the disk image. It contains Slipway and a shortcut to your Applications folder.
Drag Slipway onto Applications.
Eject the disk image and open Slipway from Applications or Spotlight.

Because the app is notarized, macOS opens it without a security prompt beyond the usual "downloaded from the internet" confirmation.

First launch#

On first launch Slipway shows a short welcome and asks for your API key. Follow Add your first team. Once a key is connected, Slipway goes straight to your apps list on every later launch.

When you finish connecting a key, Slipway asks macOS for permission to send notifications. Allow it if you want alerts when a version is approved, rejected or goes live. See Menu bar and notifications.

Update Slipway#

Slipway checks for updates automatically and asks before installing one. The prompt shows that version's release notes, which are also on the changelog.

To check yourself:

Choose Slipway ▸ Check for Updates….
If a newer version exists, follow the prompt to download and install it. Slipway relaunches when it's done.

The item below it, Version x (y), shows the version and build number you're running. It's greyed out on purpose; it's there to read, not to click. Quote it when you report a bug.

Updates are signed. Sparkle checks each download's signature against a key built into the app before it installs anything.

Why Slipway isn't on the Mac App Store#

Mac App Store apps must run in Apple's sandbox. Slipway's build upload runs xcodebuild and altool from Xcode, which a sandboxed app can't do. Shipping outside the store keeps that feature, and the Developer ID signature and notarization give you the same assurance that the app comes from its developer and was checked by Apple.

Uninstall#

Dragging Slipway to the Trash removes the app. Your settings, studio documents and keys stay behind until you remove them.

What	Where
App Store Connect keys (`.p8`)	macOS Keychain, service `app.slipway.asc-key`, one item per Key ID
AI provider key	macOS Keychain, service `app.slipway.asc-key`, account `slipway.ai.key`
Connected accounts (Key ID, Issuer ID, team name), settings, plan, review insights	User defaults for `app.slipway.mac`
Screenshot studio documents, imported captures, renders, cached app icons	`~/Library/Application Support/Slipway/`

To remove everything:

In Slipway, open Settings ▸ Accounts and click Remove… next to each team. This deletes each key from the Keychain.
Quit Slipway and move it to the Trash.
In Terminal, remove the remaining data:

defaults delete app.slipway.mac
rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Slipway
# Deletes one Keychain item per run; repeat until it reports that no item was found.
security delete-generic-password -s app.slipway.asc-key

Note — Keys are stored as "this device only" Keychain items. They don't sync through iCloud Keychain and won't carry over to a new Mac. Keep your .p8 files somewhere safe so you can add them again.

Troubleshooting#

Check for Updates… is greyed out. Sparkle can't start a check right now, for example because a check is already running. Try again in a moment. Debug builds compiled from source never check for updates.
macOS says the app can't be opened. Make sure you downloaded the disk image from slipwaymac.com and copied the app into Applications before opening it.
Something else is wrong after an update. Use Help ▸ Report a Bug…; see Support.