Install Ligature

Download Ligature from the homepage. The public beta is for Apple Silicon Macs. Windows and Linux desktop installers are not offered for public download yet.

You do not need an account to use a local library. Downloading the app needs an internet connection; local writing works offline.

Use the .dmg download for Apple Silicon Macs. Intel Macs are not supported in the public beta.

1. Open the downloaded .dmg file in Finder.
2. Drag Ligature into Applications. Wait for the copy to finish, then eject the disk image.
3. Open Ligature from Applications. If macOS asks you to confirm opening an app downloaded from the internet, confirm that you downloaded Ligature from the official site and choose Open.
4. Keep Ligature in Applications rather than running it from the disk image.

On first launch, Ligature offers Create library, Open library, and Sign in to Sync. It does not create a library automatically. You can write locally without signing in. Returning users reopen the last library. Follow Getting started below to create your first document.

The installed desktop app checks for updates while it is running and downloads available updates. When the update is ready, choose Restart to update. Finish your current work before restarting.

You can also quit Ligature, download the latest installer from the homepage, and replace the copy in Applications. Keep your library files and backups; do not delete them when updating the app.

Check that you selected the Apple Silicon macOS download. If the download is incomplete or an installer reports a damaged file, download a fresh copy from the Ligature homepage.

If macOS blocks the app with a security warning, keep the warning text and contact hello@useligature.com for help. Include your operating system version and the Ligature installer filename.