WordCairn

Download WordCairn

Version 0.9.6 · macOS 11 or later (signed and notarized by Apple) · Windows (test build, not yet signed)

Free through November 30, 2026, then $4.99 once. Download it now and it's yours, with every update, free. Early users shape what comes next: if something looks wrong or you wish it did something else, use Feedback in the app or write to support@gnuware.com.

1. Pick the build for your computer

macOS · Apple silicon

Macs with an M1, M2, M3, M4 chip or later (most Macs from late 2020 on).

Download WordCairn-0.9.6-macOS-arm64.dmg

macOS · Intel

Macs with an Intel processor (generally 2020 and earlier). Also runs on Apple silicon Macs through Rosetta 2.

Download WordCairn-0.9.6-macOS-x86_64.dmg

Windows

test build

Windows 11, 64-bit. Not yet code-signed, so Windows shows a one-time warning (see the steps below).

Download WordCairn-0.9.6-windows-x64.zip

Linux

in the works

A Linux build is in progress. Want to know when it's ready? Tell us your distribution and we'll let you know.

Notify me Coming soon

Not sure which Mac you have?

Click the Apple menu (top-left) and choose About This Mac. If you see Chip: Apple M1 (or M2, M3, M4…), choose Apple silicon. If you see Processor: Intel…, choose Intel. An Apple silicon build won't open on an Intel Mac, so if macOS says the app "can't be opened on this Mac", download the other one.

2. Install on a Mac

  1. Open the downloaded .dmg and drag WordCairn into the Applications folder. Don't run it from inside the disk image.
  2. Open WordCairn from Applications. macOS shows its usual "downloaded from the Internet" confirmation: click Open. WordCairn is signed and notarized by Apple, so you should see nothing else.
  3. If macOS asks for access to your Documents or Desktop folder, or to show notifications (for the evening reminder), allow it so WordCairn can see your chapters.
  4. Click Open folder… and choose the folder that holds your chapter files (not a folder above it), or try the built-in demo project first.

2b. Install on Windows (test build)

The Windows build isn't signed yet (we're waiting on Microsoft's verification), so Windows may show a warning for an unknown publisher. It is safe to continue if you downloaded it from this page.

  1. Open your Downloads folder, right-click WordCairn-0.9.6-windows-x64.zip, and choose Extract All…. Pick a folder you keep, such as C:\Users\you\WordCairn. Don't run it from inside the zip.
  2. Open the extracted folder and double-click WordCairn.exe (the exact file name may differ slightly).
  3. If a blue "Windows protected your PC" (SmartScreen) window appears, click More info, then Run anyway. If your browser says the file "isn't commonly downloaded", choose Keep.
  4. If your antivirus flags it, it is probably a false alarm common to unsigned apps, but please tell us what it said.

A few Mac-only extras don't apply on Windows: the scheduled nightly snapshot and evening reminder, the Mac alert sounds, and the spoken word of the day. Everything else works the same.

More help is on the support page.

Trying a test build? Please tell us how it went

If you're one of the first people to download WordCairn, this is the most useful thing you can do: send us a short note saying your computer model, your macOS or Windows version, which build you downloaded, and whether the download, install and first launch went smoothly. A problem report with a screenshot is even better.

Check your download (optional)

The expected SHA-256 checksums are in SHA256SUMS.txt. To check a file, open Terminal in the folder with the download and run:

shasum -a 256 WordCairn-0.9.6-macOS-arm64.dmg

On Windows, open PowerShell in the folder and run:

Get-FileHash .\WordCairn-0.9.6-windows-x64.zip -Algorithm SHA256

The result should match the line for that file in SHA256SUMS.txt.

Requirements

A Linux version is in the works.