System Requirements
- macOS 12.0 (Monterey) or newer
- Homebrew package manager
- ~1GB free disk space for dependencies
- Administrative privileges (for some system configurations)
Quick Installation
1. Add the Homebrew Tap
brew tap paulapplegate/kleopatra-modern
2. Install Kleopatra
brew install kleopatra
3. Launch Kleopatra
# Option 1: Command line
kleopatra
# Option 2: GUI (Applications folder)
open /Applications/kleopatra.app
# Option 3: Terminal launch (recommended for better file access)
open $(brew --prefix)/Applications/kleopatra.app
Alternative: Direct Download Installation
1. Download Formula
curl -O https://modern-mac-kleopatra.paulapplegate.com/kleopatra.rb
2. Install from Downloaded Formula
brew install --build-from-source ./kleopatra.rb
Post-Installation Setup
1. Test Drag-and-Drop
- Launch Kleopatra
- Create a test file:
echo "Hello World" > test.txt
- Drag
test.txt onto Kleopatra window
- Select "Sign/Encrypt..." from popup menu
2. Configure Services
# Start DBus (required)
brew services start dbus
# Restart GPG agent (if needed)
killall -9 gpg-agent
3. Grant Full Disk Access (Optional)
For maximum compatibility:
- System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access
- Click "+" and add:
$(brew --prefix)/Applications/kleopatra.app/Contents/MacOS/kleopatra
- Restart Kleopatra
⚠️ Important: The Sign/Encrypt buttons and File menu don't work due to macOS sandboxing.
Use drag & drop instead - it works perfectly!
Installation Troubleshooting
Build Failures
# Update Homebrew first
brew update && brew upgrade
# Reinstall if needed
brew uninstall kleopatra
brew install kleopatra
DBus Connection Failed
# Restart DBus service
brew services restart dbus
# Check DBus status
brew services list | grep dbus
Permission Issues
- Launch from Terminal:
open $(brew --prefix)/Applications/kleopatra.app
- Grant Full Disk Access (see step 3 above)
- Try different file locations (Desktop, Documents)
Next Steps
After successful installation:
- Read the Usage Guide for drag-and-drop instructions
- Check Troubleshooting for common issues
- Configure your GPG keys and certificates