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sparkle

Welcome to the documentation for Sparkle, a popular framework for creating and managing software updates!

About Sparkle

Sparkle is a powerful and flexible framework that simplifies the process of delivering software updates to your macOS applications. It provides an easy solution for notifying users about new releases and automatically updating their applications with the latest features and bug fixes.

Installation

This section will guide you through the installation process for Sparkle.

Getting Started

To begin using Sparkle in your macOS application, follow the step-by-step instructions below:

  • Create a new project or open an existing project in Xcode.
  • Drag and drop the Sparkle.framework file into your Xcode project.
  • Ensure the framework is properly linked to your target in the project settings.
  • Import the Sparkle module into your application code.
  • Initialize Sparkle and configure its behavior in AppDelegate.
  • Build and run your application to test the update functionality.

Creating Appcast

An appcast is a JSON or XML file that contains information about your application’s updates, including version numbers, release notes, and download URLs. Follow these steps to create an appcast file:

  • Create a new file named appcast.xml or appcast.json in your project directory.
  • Add information about each update, including version number, release notes, and download URL.
  • Host the appcast file on a server that your application can access.

Once you have created the appcast file and hosted it on a server, Sparkle will automatically fetch and parse the file to determine if there are any available updates for the user.

Customization

Sparkle provides various customization options that allow you to tailor the update process to fit your application’s needs. Some of the customization options include:

  • Customizing the appearance of the update dialog using CSS.
  • Specifying the frequency of update checks.
  • Implementing user prompts for update installation.
  • Managing beta versions and release channels.

Advanced Usage

If you’re interested in advanced usage of Sparkle, this section provides more in-depth information on topics such as:

  • Code signing and notarization for macOS Catalina and beyond.
  • Using Sparkle with sandboxed applications.
  • Handling specific use cases and edge cases.
  • Debugging common issues and errors.

Support and Resources

If you have questions or need assistance with Sparkle, please check out the following resources:

  • Visit the official Sparkle GitHub repository: [https://github.com/sparkle-project/Sparkle](https://github.com/sparkle-project/Sparkle)
  • Search for solutions in the project’s issue tracker: [https://github.com/sparkle-project/Sparkle/issues](https://github.com/sparkle-project/Sparkle/issues)
  • Join the Sparkle community on the official Slack channel
  • Visit the official Sparkle website for additional documentation and updates: [https://sparkle-project.org/](https://sparkle-project.org/)

We hope you find Sparkle useful for managing software updates in your macOS applications! Choose the sections above to get started, and happy coding!