Dot is a tiny open-source desktop pixel cat for macOS. It opens a transparent always-on-top companion window with an original canvas-drawn cat that reacts to cursor movement, dragging, petting, typing signals, reminders, and Pomodoro sessions.
Download the latest Apple Silicon macOS build:
https://github.com/Anshumaan657/Dot/releases/latest/download/Dot-0.1.0-arm64.dmg
Download the .dmg, open it, drag Dot.app into Applications, then launch Dot.
Dot is currently an unsigned open-source build. macOS may block first launch because the app is not Apple Developer ID signed or notarized.
After moving Dot to Applications, run:
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Dot.app
open /Applications/Dot.appThis removes the download quarantine flag from your local copy of Dot.
SHA256 for Dot-0.1.0-arm64.dmg:
f98af460451119f23b61b467c3476230b170e3c323f82647354caa50dad2cbda
If you do not trust the unsigned download, build Dot locally from source:
git clone https://github.com/Anshumaan657/Dot.git
cd Dot
npm install
npm startBuild a local .app:
npm run make:macCreate release files for users:
npm run distThe generated .dmg and .zip files appear in dist/.
Public release note: unsigned macOS apps may show a Gatekeeper warning or a misleading damaged-app message. For the smoothest public install, sign and notarize the app with an Apple Developer ID before publishing releases.
You can access Dot settings in three ways:
- Click the Dot menu bar icon.
- Right-click the cat and choose
Settings. - Use
Dot > Settingsfrom the macOS app menu.
Settings include colors, reminders, Pomodoro, keyboard watch, full-screen hiding, startup, show, minimize, and quit.
The landing page is in site/. It is static HTML/CSS, so it can be deployed with GitHub Pages, Netlify, Vercel, or any static host.
For GitHub Pages, publish the site/ folder. The expected URL will be:
https://anshumaan657.github.io/Dot/
See docs/DEPLOYMENT.md for the first public launch checklist.
Keyboard watch uses Electron global shortcuts. Some systems will not allow plain letter shortcuts globally, and macOS may require privacy permissions for deeper keyboard monitoring. The app still works without keyboard watch: open settings and use Tap paws to test the typing animation.
This project intentionally draws its own original pixel cat in canvas. No paid app assets or copyrighted character assets are used.
Dot is small on purpose. Keep changes focused, friendly, and easy to run locally. See CONTRIBUTING.md.
MIT. See LICENSE.