> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.reliclabs.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Download and Install Contributor on macOS

> Download Contributor for macOS, complete the one-time setup, grant the required permissions, and sign in to start recording.

Contributor is a native desktop app for macOS. Installation takes a few minutes and requires granting one system permission before you can start recording.

## Download and install

Download the Contributor installer for your Mac:

* **Apple Silicon (M1 and later):** download the `arm64` build.
* **Intel Mac:** download the `x64` build.

Open the downloaded `.dmg` file, drag **Contributor** into your **Applications** folder, then launch the app from Applications or Spotlight.

## Grant screen recording permission

Contributor cannot capture your screen without explicit permission from macOS. On first launch - or the first time you start a recording - macOS will prompt you to allow access.

<Warning>
  If you dismiss the system prompt without granting permission, Contributor cannot record. You must enable it manually before you can start any session.
</Warning>

To grant the permission manually:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open System Settings">
    Click the Apple menu and choose **System Settings** (macOS Ventura and later) or **System Preferences** (earlier versions).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Privacy & Security">
    Select **Privacy & Security** in the sidebar, then scroll down and click **Screen Recording**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Contributor">
    Find **Contributor** in the list and toggle it on. If Contributor is not listed, click the **+** button and add it from your Applications folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Contributor">
    Quit and relaunch Contributor. The app icon appears in your menu bar and recording is now available.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## First launch

After launch, Contributor appears as an icon in your **menu bar**. Click it to open the capture window. You will be prompted to sign in or create an account before any recording controls become available.

<Note>
  Contributor currently supports macOS only.
</Note>

## Sign in or create an account

Contributor supports three ways to authenticate:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Email and password" icon="envelope">
    Enter your email and choose a password on the sign-up screen. Check your inbox for a confirmation link before signing in for the first time.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Google" icon="google">
    Click **Google** on the sign-in screen. Contributor opens your browser to complete authentication, then returns you to the app automatically.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discord" icon="discord">
    Click **Discord** on the sign-in screen. The same browser-based flow applies - authorize in the browser, and the app picks up the session.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  Have a referral code? Enter it in the **Referral code** field on the sign-up screen before submitting. The field accepts 6-character codes and validates them immediately.
</Tip>

Once signed in, Contributor syncs any existing sessions to your device and takes you to the **Dashboard**, where your recordings appear grouped by status: Draft, Submitted, Rejected, and Approved.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Earn your first points" icon="rocket" href="/docs/docs/quickstart">
    Follow the getting started guide to make your first recording and submit it for review.
  </Card>

  <Card title="How recording works" icon="circle-dot" href="/docs/docs/recording/overview">
    Learn about the tray capture flow, local storage, and sensitive-content protection.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>