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feat: add macOS Desktop App installation script and documentation#3564

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huangrichao2020 wants to merge 6 commits into
QwenLM:mainfrom
huangrichao2020:feat/macos-desktop-app
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feat: add macOS Desktop App installation script and documentation#3564
huangrichao2020 wants to merge 6 commits into
QwenLM:mainfrom
huangrichao2020:feat/macos-desktop-app

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@huangrichao2020

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Summary

This PR adds the ability to install Qwen Code as a native macOS desktop application, allowing users to launch Qwen Code via Spotlight, Launchpad, or the Applications folder with a single click.

Changes

1. Installation Script

  • File: scripts/installation/install-qwen-macos-app.sh
  • One-click install script that creates a .app bundle in /Applications
  • Downloads official Qwen icon and converts to multi-resolution ICNS format
  • Interactive mode with confirmation prompts + --auto flag for CI/non-interactive use
  • Pre-flight checks: verifies macOS platform and qwen CLI presence

2. Documentation

  • File: docs/users/installation/macos-desktop-app.md
  • Complete usage guide including installation, customization, troubleshooting
  • Covers icon cache refresh, PATH issues, and AppleScript customization

3. README Update

  • Added macOS Desktop App section under Installation
  • Links to full documentation

User Experience

After installation, users can:

  • Press Cmd + Space → type "Qwen Code" → Enter
  • Find the app in Launchpad
  • Double-click in /Applications

The app opens Terminal and automatically runs qwen.

Why This Matters

Many macOS users prefer launching tools from Spotlight/Launchpad rather than opening Terminal first. This lowers the barrier to entry for daily use, similar to how other popular dev tools provide desktop app entry points.

Checklist

  • Installation script tested on macOS
  • Documentation follows existing docs structure (docs/users/)
  • README updated with new installation option
  • Script supports both interactive and non-interactive modes
  • Graceful error handling (wrong platform, missing qwen, icon download failure)

huangrichao2020 and others added 2 commits April 23, 2026 22:45
- Add install-qwen-macos-app.sh script for one-click macOS app installation
- Add comprehensive documentation for macOS Desktop App feature
- Update README.md with macOS Desktop App installation option
- Users can now launch Qwen Code via Spotlight, Launchpad, or Applications folder

Fixes user request for easier macOS desktop access to Qwen Code CLI

Co-authored-by: Qwen-Coder <qwen-coder@alibabacloud.com>
- Add qwen-icon.png (from vscode-ide-companion assets) to scripts/installation/
- Update install script to read icon from local SCRIPT_DIR
- Fallback to default icon if qwen-icon.png not found
- Update README and docs to use raw.githubusercontent.com URL

This ensures the installer works immediately without waiting for CDN upload.

Co-authored-by: Qwen-Coder <qwen-coder@alibabacloud.com>
Comment thread scripts/installation/install-qwen-macos-app.sh Outdated
Comment thread scripts/installation/install-qwen-macos-app.sh Outdated
Comment thread scripts/installation/install-qwen-macos-app.sh Outdated
@huangrichao2020

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Updated per review.

Addressed the installer issues by:

  • replacing the broken missing-CLI recovery command with a concrete install URL
  • building the app bundle first and only replacing the installed app after the new bundle is ready
  • adding a fallback from /Applications to ~/Applications when the system Applications directory is not writable
  • updating the docs to match the new behavior

Comment thread scripts/installation/install-qwen-macos-app.sh Outdated
Comment thread scripts/installation/install-qwen-macos-app.sh Outdated
Comment thread scripts/installation/install-qwen-macos-app.sh

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feat: add macOS Desktop App installation script and documentation

@huangrichao2020 huangrichao2020 closed this by deleting the head repository Apr 24, 2026
@huangrichao2020

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Superseded by #3627. I recreated the fork/head branch, rebased on current main, and carried over the review fixes from this closed PR, including the no-clone icon download fallback.

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2 participants