Install and first sign-in
TCKS Desk is a private Mac app. It is not a website. Josh sends the app file. Read this before you open it.
What you need
- An Apple Silicon Mac (a MacBook Air is enough). Intel Macs will not run this build.
- The file TCKS Desk_0.1.7_aarch64.dmg — download it here.
- The PIN Josh set for your seat. This page never includes your PIN.
- Google Chrome in Applications only if you will export PNGs. The desk runs without it.
1. Save the DMG
Put TCKS Desk_0.1.7_aarch64.dmg in Downloads or on the Desktop. Do not open it from the message bubble if macOS warns you there.
2. First open
Apple may ask if you want to open an app downloaded from the internet. Open. That is expected.
If you instead see Apple could not verify this file is free of malware — that is Gatekeeper, not a virus scan.
- Click Done. Do not click Move to Trash.
- In Finder, Control-click (right-click) the DMG → Open → Open.
- If that fails: System Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll to TCKS Desk → Open Anyway.
Optional, in Terminal, after the file is in Downloads:
xattr -cr ~/Downloads/"TCKS Desk_0.1.7_aarch64.dmg" open ~/Downloads/"TCKS Desk_0.1.7_aarch64.dmg"
3. Install
Open the disk image. Drag TCKS Desk to Applications. Eject the disk image.
If the app repeats a warning: Control-click TCKS Desk in Applications → Open.
4. First open
The window checks this Mac (chip, macOS, disk, Chrome). If anything is fatal, it will say so and will not create a desk folder. Then you get Sign in.
5. Sign in
- Pick your name (your seat).
- Enter the PIN Josh gave you.
- Enter.
If your name says PIN not set, stop and message Josh. Do not guess.
If the screen says Lock this desk, you are on a brand-new copy with no SuperAdmin PIN yet. Only Josh should complete that. Close it and tell him.
6. Your seat (first time)
You may see the sources you are allowed to use, and notification checkboxes. Those boxes only store a preference; they do not text or email yet. Choose Enter desk.
7. What you will use
- Studio — build a graphic and export a 1920×1080 PNG
- Library — stills already exported
- Brand kit — official marks and the 2022 guideline
- Watches / Alerts — what changed
Josh owns people, keys, and which sources you may use. You run the hour. Each Mac is its own desk — files do not sync between laptops.
If you already installed an older copy
Quit TCKS Desk. Delete TCKS Desk.app from Applications. Then download 0.1.7 and drag to Applications again. Control-click → Open. Do not delete your desk folder unless the app will not start — that folder is your drafts and PINs on this Mac. After this install, later versions use Settings → Software Update (Update Now, then Relaunch).
If something fails
- Intel Mac or very old macOS — the app refuses. Use an M-series Mac.
- “Host spawned but /login did not answer” — you still have the old app. Delete it and install 0.1.7.
- Name and PIN rejected — message Josh. Do not guess.
- Export PNG fails — install Google Chrome in Applications.