Make yourself at home.

A few useful things to know as you get started with Raff.

Requirements and installation

Use a Mac with Apple silicon and macOS 27 or later. Download the disk image, open it, and move Raff to Applications. Follow the release status below; do not disable system protections globally to install an app.

What the current preview allows

The preview supports browsing, local inspection and recovery of eligible operations. File-changing commands remain locked until configured activation is available. Changing files will require a valid licence.

The download page identifies Developer ID signing, Apple notarisation and activation availability separately. Keep Finder available while evaluating Raff.

Smart Downloads and Smart Clean

In Downloads, choose None, Kind or Date Added grouping. Kind and date groups filter the real listing; physical folders remain separate. Missing added dates remain unknown. The Breakdown shows logical file sizes and exclusions, and Review Tidy Plan shows proposed physical destinations before any move.

Smart Clean reviews a chosen folder with optional, explicitly selected locations. Each of its nine categories reports evidence and coverage; “not included” and “partial” do not mean a complete scan. Nothing is preselected. Choose a duplicate keeper before selecting copies, then review the exact Trash plan. File-changing commands remain subject to the activation status above.

Finder Trash controls

Open Trash opens Finder without removing anything. Empty Trash is a separate action with an in-app confirmation that defaults to Cancel. It asks Finder to permanently empty all its Trash, including connected-drive Trash as Finder handles it. It is not limited to Smart Clean selections. Raff Undo cannot restore permanently emptied items.

macOS may ask you to allow Raff to control Finder under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation. After a handoff, Raff keeps file operations paused until you check that Finder has finished or cancelled and explicitly acknowledge it. Interrupted handoffs appear in Activity & Recovery for review; Raff does not send Empty Trash again automatically.

Live Finder permission and actual Empty Trash behaviour are still being validated for release. The automated checks use injected test boundaries and do not empty the user’s Trash.

Your licence

When purchases are enabled, the completed checkout receipt displays your licence key. Keep that key somewhere private and enter it in Raff’s licence settings. You need an internet connection to activate. Deactivate the old Mac before moving an existing licence to another one.

If checkout is pending, keep the receipt page open while the payment notification is processed. Returning without the original browser’s receipt cookie may prevent the page from revealing the key.

Desktop Shelves

1. Enable Desktop Shelves in Raff’s Settings.
2. Check your files, displays, widgets, Spaces and Stage Manager while Finder’s desktop items remain visible.
3. If you prefer only Raff’s shelves, use the Desktop & Dock “Show Items” setting in macOS.
4. To restore Finder’s desktop, turn “Show Items” back on, then disable Raff’s shelves.

Your files stay in the real Desktop folder. Changing the layout does not rearrange the physical files.

File access and recovery

macOS may ask for permission when you open a protected folder or volume. If access is denied, choose the folder again or review your macOS privacy settings. For operations, open Activity & Recovery to see the recorded result and any available Undo or Restore action.

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