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Install φ Poiesis

Poiesis runs on macOS, Windows and Linux. After you install it, Poiesis tells you when there is a new version.

Install Poiesis​

  1. Open the download page. It offers the right file for the computer you are using. The files for other systems are on the same page.
  2. Download the file.
  3. Install it. The steps for your system are below.
  4. Open Poiesis. Your system lists it as φ Poiesis. To find it, type "poiesis" in Spotlight or the Start menu.
  5. Create your first vault.

What you need​

SystemVersion
macOS13 (Ventura) or later, on Apple Silicon or Intel
Windows10 or 11, 64-bit
LinuxA modern 64-bit distribution. The AppImage runs almost anywhere; the .deb is for Debian and Ubuntu.

On a Mac​

  1. Download the .dmg for your Mac: Apple Silicon or Intel. To check which one you have, open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. A chip named "Apple M…" is Apple Silicon.
  2. Open the .dmg.
  3. Drag Poiesis into Applications.
  4. Open Poiesis from Applications or Spotlight.

The Mac versions are signed and notarised by Apple. They open without an "unidentified developer" warning.

On Windows​

  1. Download the installer (.exe).
  2. Run it. You can choose where Poiesis is installed.
  3. Windows SmartScreen may say that Poiesis is from an unrecognised publisher. This is because Poiesis isn't code-signed yet. Click More info, then Run anyway. You only need to do this once. The download comes directly from Poiesis's own releases.
  4. Open Poiesis from the Start menu.

On Linux​

There are two files to choose from:

  • The AppImage is simpler, and it updates itself.
  • The .deb installs like other Debian and Ubuntu packages. To update it, you install the newer .deb yourself.

AppImage. Make the file executable, then double-click it:

chmod +x poiesis-*.AppImage
./poiesis-*.AppImage

You can also do this without a terminal: right-click the file → Properties → Permissions → Allow executing file as program.

.deb. Install it with:

sudo dpkg -i poiesis-*.deb

Then open φ Poiesis from your applications menu.

Keep Poiesis up to date​

Poiesis checks for a new version a few seconds after it opens, and every six hours after that. It never downloads an update without asking you. When there is an update, a small banner appears:

  1. The banner says A new version (…) is available. Click Download when you are ready.
  2. The banner shows Downloading update… % while the download runs.
  3. The banner says Update … ready to install. Click Restart & install. Or close the banner and keep writing: Poiesis installs the update the next time you quit.

This works on macOS, on Windows and with the Linux AppImage. If you use the .deb, download and install the newer version yourself.

To check for an update now:

  • On a Mac: open the φ Poiesis menu and choose Check for Updates….
  • On Windows and Linux: press Ctrl+P and run Check for updates….

Poiesis shows Checking for updates…. Then one of three things happens:

  • Poiesis offers the update.
  • Poiesis says φ is up to date.
  • Poiesis says Couldn't check for updates. This means it can't reach the download server, for example because you're offline.
Still on 0.8.2 or older? Download Poiesis again

Version 0.9.0 changed how your system identifies Poiesis. Because of this, version 0.8.2 and older can't update themselves. They keep saying that Poiesis is up to date. Download the current version from the download page and install it over the one you have. You only need to do this once.

Your vaults, settings, dictionaries and history are not changed. On a Mac, macOS asks one more time for access to the folder your vault is in. On Windows, the new Poiesis is listed as a separate program, so uninstall the old one from Add or remove programs.

See also​