> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.slashy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installing the Desktop App

> Download the macOS app for global shortcuts, dock badges, native notifications, and system tray background running.

The desktop app gives you a native macOS experience: a global shortcut to summon Slashy from any app, dock badge counts, system tray background running, and native notifications. Everything else works identically to the web app.

## Download and Install

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download">
    Go to [slashy.com/download](https://slashy.com/download) or open the command palette (`Cmd+K`) and type "Download desktop app."
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install">
    Open the `.dmg` and drag Slashy into Applications.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch and Sign In">
    Open Slashy from Applications. Sign in with the same Google account you use on the web. Your inbox, labels, memories, and settings sync immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>Already using Slashy on the web? The desktop app syncs everything automatically -- inbox, labels, memories, and settings. No reconfiguration needed.</Tip>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/karvixinc/QNSZwc_JHcGXiTZF/images/screenshots/installing-the-desktop-app-1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QNSZwc_JHcGXiTZF&q=85&s=e5ffe082de26392ce041595d1eeb72a6" alt="macOS dmg installer window" width="1092" height="766" data-path="images/screenshots/installing-the-desktop-app-1.png" />
</Frame>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/karvixinc/QNSZwc_JHcGXiTZF/images/screenshots/installing-the-desktop-app-2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QNSZwc_JHcGXiTZF&q=85&s=e0588a3c44509479d197f37573cedb3f" alt="Slashy desktop app running with dock badge showing unread count" width="704" height="572" data-path="images/screenshots/installing-the-desktop-app-2.png" />
</Frame>

## Key Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Global Shortcut">
    Press `Cmd+/` from any application to bring Slashy to the front. Press again to hide it. Works system-wide, even when minimized. Change it in **Settings > Account > Global Shortcut**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Silent Auto-Updates">
    Slashy downloads updates in the background. A toast notification appears when an update is ready -- it applies on next restart. No prompts, no progress bars.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="System Tray">
    Slashy runs in the menu bar background, keeping email synced, notifications firing, and the global shortcut active. Closing the window with `Cmd+W` hides to tray (use `Cmd+Q` to fully quit).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Dock Badge Count">
    Real-time unread count on the dock icon. Disable in **Settings > Account > Show Unread Counts**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Native Notifications">
    Uses macOS Notification Center. Respects Do Not Disturb. Control which labels trigger notifications in **Settings > Labels**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Find in Page">
    `Cmd+F` searches text on the current screen -- email threads, compose window, and settings.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/karvixinc/QNSZwc_JHcGXiTZF/images/screenshots/installing-the-desktop-app-3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QNSZwc_JHcGXiTZF&q=85&s=c6eb39c842ed5574d907f139baa34c2d" alt="Desktop app showing system tray icon and notification badge on dock" width="138" height="96" data-path="images/screenshots/installing-the-desktop-app-3.png" />
</Frame>

## Troubleshooting

| Issue                         | Fix                                                                                              |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Global shortcut not working   | **System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility** -- ensure Slashy is listed and enabled. |
| App won't open after download | Right-click in Finder and select **Open** (Gatekeeper first-launch block).                       |
| No dock badge                 | **System Settings > Notifications > Slashy** -- enable badge notifications.                      |
| Update seems stuck            | Quit with `Cmd+Q` and relaunch. Update applies on restart.                                       |

***

## Related Articles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Importance Labels" icon="tags" href="/getting-started/importance-labels">
    Set up AI-powered inbox sorting.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect a Second Account" icon="at" href="/getting-started/multi-account">
    Add work and personal inboxes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Keyboard Shortcuts" icon="keyboard" href="/how-to-guides/keyboard-shortcuts">
    Every shortcut for power-user navigation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Mobile App" icon="mobile" href="/getting-started/mobile">
    Set up Slashy on your iPhone.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>