Download GenSnippets for Mac
Install the latest macOS build and start expanding your shortcuts instantly. Check back here whenever you need the newest release.
MACOS
Universal Binary
Built for Apple Silicon & Intel. Works great on macOS 13 (Ventura) and above.
Updates aren't automatic — check back here for new versions. Need older builds or release notes? Browse all releases on GitHub.
Install & grant permissions
Since GenSnippets is not notarized with Apple yet, macOS will block it on first launch. Follow these steps to unblock and grant the required Accessibility permission.
- 1
Move to Applications
Open the DMG and drag GenSnippets into your Applications folder.
- 2
Bypass Gatekeeper on first launch
macOS Gatekeeper will block the app because it's not notarized. Use one of the methods below.
Option A — GUI (recommended)- Double-click GenSnippets — a warning dialog appears. Click Done (or Cancel).
- Open System Settings → Privacy & Security.
- Scroll to the Security section — you'll see "GenSnippets" was blocked from use…
- Click Open Anyway and confirm.
Option B — TerminalRun this single command to strip the quarantine attribute:
xattr -cr /Applications/GenSnippets.app - 3
Open GenSnippets
Launch the app — it will prompt you for Accessibility permission, which is required to expand snippets in any app.
- 4
Grant Accessibility permission
Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility and toggle GenSnippets on.
- 5
Quit and reopen
Fully quit GenSnippets and launch it again so the new permission takes effect. You're ready to go!
Using GenSnippets for the first time
All set up? Just 4 steps to turn the text you retype every day into one-shortcut expansions.
Create your first snippet
Open GenSnippets from the menu bar icon and add a new snippet. Set a shortcut (e.g. ;email) and paste the full text you want it to expand into.
Group snippets into categories (optional)
Organize snippets into categories like "Daily Emails" or "Customer Support" so they stay easy to find and manage as your list grows.
Type the shortcut anywhere
In email, Slack, Notes, or any text field, just type your shortcut — GenSnippets instantly replaces it with the full text.
Quick tip
GenSnippets runs quietly in the menu bar. Open it from the menu bar icon anytime to add, edit, or rename your snippets and shortcuts.