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Installation/Installing ThinkCode on macOS

Installing ThinkCode on macOS

This guide provides detailed instructions for installing ThinkCode on macOS Monterey (12.0) or higher. Follow these steps to get ThinkCode up and running on your Mac.

Prerequisites

Before installing ThinkCode, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

  • Operating System: macOS Monterey (12.0) or higher
  • Processor: Intel or Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3)
  • Memory: 8GB RAM (16GB+ recommended)
  • Storage: 2GB available space (SSD recommended)
  • Display: 1280 x 720 resolution
  • Internet: Connection required for installation, updates, and cloud-based AI features

For a complete list of requirements, see the System Requirements page.

Installation Methods

ThinkCode can be installed on macOS using several methods:

  1. App Store
  2. Direct Download
  3. Homebrew
  4. Command Line

App Store

ThinkCode is available on the Mac App Store for easy installation and updates:

  1. Open the App Store on your Mac
  2. Search for "ThinkCode"
  3. Click "Get" or the price button to download and install
  4. Enter your Apple ID password or use Touch ID if prompted
  5. Once installed, open ThinkCode from your Applications folder or Launchpad
  6. Follow the first-time setup wizard to configure ThinkCode

The direct download method provides the most flexibility:

Download the Application

  1. Visit the ThinkCode download page
  2. Click on the "Download for macOS" button
  3. Select the appropriate version for your Mac (Intel or Apple Silicon)
  4. Wait for the .dmg file to download

Installation Process

  1. Open the downloaded .dmg file
  2. Drag the ThinkCode application to the Applications folder as indicated
  3. Close the installer window
  4. Open ThinkCode from your Applications folder or Launchpad
  5. If you receive a security warning about an application downloaded from the internet, right-click (or Control-click) on the app icon and select "Open"
  6. Click "Open" in the confirmation dialog
  7. Follow the first-time setup wizard to configure ThinkCode

Homebrew

If you use Homebrew package manager, you can install ThinkCode with a simple command:

  1. Open Terminal
  2. Install ThinkCode using the following command:
brew install --cask thinkcode
  1. Once installation is complete, open ThinkCode from your Applications folder or Launchpad
  2. Follow the first-time setup wizard to configure ThinkCode

Command Line Installation

For users who prefer the command line:

  1. Open Terminal
  2. Run the following command:
curl -fsSL https://thinkstudio.iechor.com/install-macos.sh | sh
  1. The script will download and install ThinkCode with default settings
  2. Once installation is complete, open ThinkCode from your Applications folder or Launchpad
  3. Follow the first-time setup wizard to configure ThinkCode

First Launch Configuration

When you first launch ThinkCode, you'll need to complete the setup process:

  1. Welcome Screen: The setup wizard will guide you through initial configuration
  2. Sign in or Create Account: Sign in with your ThinkCode account or create a new one
  3. AI Engine Setup:
    • Choose between cloud-based or local AI models
    • Set preferences for AI behavior
  4. VS Code Import (Optional):
    • Import settings, extensions, and keybindings from VS Code if you have it installed
  5. Customize ThinkCode:
    • Select your preferred theme (Light, Dark, or Auto)
    • Configure basic editor settings
    • Set up keyboard shortcuts

macOS-specific Features

ThinkCode integrates with macOS in several unique ways:

Touch Bar Support

For Macs with Touch Bar, ThinkCode provides context-sensitive controls:

  • Code action buttons
  • AI assistance tools
  • Navigation shortcuts
  • Debugging controls

Trackpad Gestures

ThinkCode supports trackpad gestures for enhanced navigation:

  • Two-finger swipe for scrolling
  • Three-finger swipe for navigation history
  • Pinch to zoom text
  • Custom gesture configuration in settings

macOS Integration

  • Spotlight: Search for code and projects directly from Spotlight
  • Share Menu: Share code snippets through macOS share menu
  • Handoff: Seamless transition between macOS devices
  • Notifications: macOS notification center integration

Application Settings

After installation, you can configure ThinkCode through its settings:

  1. Open ThinkCode
  2. Access settings with Cmd+, or by selecting "ThinkCode > Settings" from the menu bar
  3. Configure editor preferences, AI features, and other settings

macOS-specific Settings

  • Performance Mode: Optimize for performance or battery life
  • Native Tabs: Enable/disable macOS-style tabs
  • Touch Bar Layout: Customize Touch Bar controls
  • System Integration: Control Spotlight indexing and other system features

Permissions

ThinkCode may require certain permissions to function properly:

  • Filesystem Access: To read and write your code files
  • Microphone (Optional): For voice commands and dictation features
  • Accessibility (Optional): For enhanced keyboard control

Grant these permissions when prompted or adjust them in System Settings > Privacy & Security.

Updating ThinkCode

ThinkCode can be updated in several ways:

  • In-app Updates: ThinkCode checks for updates automatically and prompts you to install them
  • App Store: If installed via the App Store, updates come through the App Store
  • Homebrew: If installed via Homebrew, update with brew upgrade thinkcode
  • Direct Download: Download the latest version from the website and replace the application

Uninstalling ThinkCode

To uninstall ThinkCode from macOS:

  1. Close ThinkCode if it's running
  2. Open Finder and navigate to the Applications folder
  3. Drag ThinkCode to the Trash
  4. Empty the Trash

For a complete uninstallation, including configuration files:

  1. Follow the steps above to remove the application
  2. Open Terminal
  3. Run the following commands to remove configuration files:
rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/ThinkCode
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.thinkstudio.thinkcode
rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.thinkstudio.thinkcode.plist

Troubleshooting

Common Installation Issues

ThinkCode Won't Open

  • Check that your macOS version is 12.0 (Monterey) or higher
  • Ensure the application isn't being blocked by Gatekeeper:
    1. Right-click (or Control-click) on the app icon
    2. Select "Open" from the context menu
    3. Click "Open" in the confirmation dialog

Application "is damaged and can't be opened"

This error can occur if the download was incomplete:

  • Delete the application and re-download
  • Try downloading from a different browser
  • Disable any antivirus software temporarily

Performance Issues

If ThinkCode runs slowly:

  • Check if you meet the recommended system requirements
  • Close resource-intensive applications
  • Consider using cloud-based AI models instead of local models

Advanced Troubleshooting

For detailed troubleshooting:

  1. Launch ThinkCode with verbose logging: 
    /Applications/ThinkCode.app/Contents/MacOS/ThinkCode --verbose
  2. Check the log file at ~/Library/Logs/ThinkCode
  3. See the Troubleshooting Guide for common issues

Next Steps

Now that you've installed ThinkCode on your Mac, check out:

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Installing ThinkCode on Windows

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Installing ThinkCode on Linux

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