Choose the DMG app or source install.

Option A: Install From DMG

This is the best path for non-technical users who want the macOS app first.

1. Download the latest RipperMoonKit Launcher DMG.
2. Open the DMG.
3. Run Install to My Applications.command, or copy RipperMoonKit Launcher.app into your user Applications folder.
4. Open the app. If macOS warns that it is from the internet, use System Settings > Privacy & Security to allow it.
5. Follow the first-run setup prompts and click Set Up RipperMoonKit. The app can prepare its own source clone, guide you to GPTK, install helper scripts, and prepare local folders.

After Installing The App

RipperMoonKit is designed as a per-user app. Install it to ~/Applications/RipperMoonKit Launcher.app, not /Applications, unless you intentionally want a system-wide copy. Per-user installs keep separate macOS test accounts isolated and avoid stale copies during updates.

After the app is in your user Applications folder, the first job is to let RipperMoonKit prepare the local GPTK/Wine environment. The DMG only installs RipperMoonKit; it does not bundle Apple GPTK, Steam, games, saves, or mods.

1. Open RipperMoonKit Launcher.app.
2. If macOS blocks it, allow it in System Settings > Privacy & Security, then open it again.
3. Follow the first-run setup guide and click Set Up RipperMoonKit.
4. When GPTK is missing, the app pauses on the Download Game Porting Toolkit 3.0 step and opens Apple's download page.
5. Download Game Porting Toolkit 3.0 from Apple, then open the downloaded DMG so it mounts in Finder.
6. Return to RipperMoonKit. The Begin GPTK Install button becomes available after the app detects the downloaded DMG or mounted GPTK media.
7. Click Begin GPTK Install so it can install the GPTK app runner if needed, copy the Apple GPTK runtime locally, create folders, install helper scripts, and write ~/.rippermoon-gptk.env. The setup window should not show the finished state until GPTK 3.0 has been copied and verified.
8. Setup then starts Windows Steam installation in the background. Steam can take several minutes, but the app can move to the finished screen while Steam continues.
9. When the You're all set screen appears, Steam may still be installing. Open the Steam profile when you are ready to sign in.
10. Open Settings > Paths and confirm the GPTK home, prefix root, games root, external root, and Steam library paths.
11. Add or open a game profile. Set the game folder to a copied, already-installed Windows game folder. Do not point the app at game installer files.
12. Add a free TheGamesDB API key in settings if you want cover art in the library.
13. For co-op Steamworks test paths such as Elden Ring ERSC, open the Steam profile and click Install Spacewar once. Wait for AppID 480 setup to finish, then close Spacewar.
14. Launch from the game profile.

Setup and launcher logs are written under $GPTK_HOME/logs/. If setup fails, use Settings > Maintenance after checking the newest log.

GPTK Requirement

RipperMoonKit targets Apple Game Porting Toolkit 3.0. Download GPTK 3.0 from Apple Developer and mount the downloaded disk image before running the full setup. If the app or installer cannot find GPTK, it can open Apple's download page and wait while you mount it.

Open Apple Game Porting Toolkit page

Option B: Install From Source

Use this path if you want the command-line helpers, local source tree, docs, and the ability to edit or build the app yourself.

1. Clone or download the source ZIP from GitHub.
2. Download and mount GPTK 3.0 from Apple.
3. Run the installer from the source folder:

cd RipperMoonToolKit
./install.zsh

The installer creates local configuration, installs helper commands, installs the prebuilt Game Porting Toolkit app runner when needed, copies the Apple GPTK runtime from mounted Apple media, downloads SteamSetup.exe, can start Windows Steam installation in the background without launching Steam after validation, writes logs, and creates update backups before replacing toolkit files.

Build Or Reinstall The App From Source

If you installed from source, build and install the local app bundle with:

zsh scripts/install-gui-app.zsh

The app is installed to:

~/Applications/RipperMoonKit Launcher.app

Reload The Shell

After a source install, open a new Terminal window or reload your shell configuration.

source ~/.zshrc

Check The Main Commands

which gptk-launch
which gptk-steam
which gptk-game

Where Things Are Stored

• ~/GPTK: toolkit support files, copied GPTK runtime, logs, downloads, backups.
• ~/WinePrefixes: Wine prefixes and Windows registry state.
• ~/.rippermoon-gptk.env: editable path configuration.
• Your external game drive: installed or copied game folders, installers, and Steam libraries.

What Updates Protect

Updates back up the small toolkit files first. Saves, Wine prefixes, Steam data, installed games, GPTK runtimes, and patched runners stay outside the repository and are not removed by normal updates.