Your non–App Store apps.
One click. Every time.
Many essential Mac apps — like Chrome, VS Code, and Slack — aren't available in the App Store. You download them from vendor websites every time you reinstall macOS. This native AppleScript application does it all at once: search by name, build your personal list, and batch download the latest stable releases from official sources.
Always the latest stable release — download only, nothing is installed or executed. Your list persists between sessions.
Use With Care
This tool is for apps that are not available in the Apple App Store. If an app is in the App Store, use the App Store — it's the safest and easiest way to install software on your Mac. This tool only downloads installer files to your Desktop for apps you'd otherwise have to get from vendor websites. It does not install, open, or run anything. Verify the app name and developer before adding it to your list. Only download software you recognize and trust. See the full disclaimer for details.
What It's For
Apps like Chrome, VS Code, Slack, and iTerm2 aren't in the App Store. If you've ever reinstalled macOS and spent an hour visiting download pages to get them back, this is for you.
System Reloads
Just wiped your Mac or set up a new one? Get all your essential apps back in one click instead of visiting a dozen websites. Build your list once, use it every time.
Local Installer Copies
Keep up-to-date installer files on hand for offline use, multiple machines, or archiving. Run it periodically to refresh your copies with the latest stable releases.
Batch Downloads
Download everything at once with a live progress bar showing file sizes and transfer speeds. No clicking through download pages one by one.
How to Use
Build the app, then double-click to run.
macOS App (Recommended)
Build the native app, double-click to run. Manage your app list from the built-in UI.
git clone https://github.com/DJCastle/nonappstoreappsdownload.git
cd nonappstoreappsdownload
# Build the app
./build-automator-app.sh
# Run it
open "Download Apps.app"
Shell Script
Prefer the terminal? Run the script directly.
git clone https://github.com/DJCastle/nonappstoreappsdownload.git
cd nonappstoreappsdownload
# Run the download script
./download-apps.sh
Default Apps
Included out of the box. All resolved via Homebrew Cask to ensure the latest stable release.
Manage Your App List
Add and remove apps right from the app — or edit the config file directly.
Search & Add
Click Manage Apps → Add App, type a name like "Firefox" or "Slack", and pick from the results. Added apps are saved permanently and persist between sessions — your list is always there when you reopen the app.
Tip: Verify you're selecting the right app before adding. Search results may include similarly named software.
Remove Apps
Click Manage Apps → Remove App, select the apps you want to remove (hold Command for multiple), and confirm. Removed apps won't download on future runs.
Edit apps.txt
Right-click the app → Show Package Contents → Contents → Resources → apps.txt. Add lines in the format: App Name | file.dmg | BREW:cask-name
Browse available cask names at formulae.brew.sh/cask
How It Works
Simple and transparent by design.
Latest Stable Release
Uses Homebrew Cask to resolve the latest stable release for each app at runtime. No beta or pre-release versions — no hardcoded version numbers to maintain.
Download Only
Files are downloaded to your Desktop. Nothing is installed, opened, or executed. You open the .dmg or .zip yourself and decide what to install.
Gatekeeper Verified
macOS Gatekeeper automatically verifies the code signature of every downloaded app before it can run. Keep Gatekeeper enabled for protection.
Live Progress
See real-time download progress with file sizes, transfer speeds, and time remaining. Each app's status updates as it downloads.
Official Sources Only
Every download comes directly from the vendor's servers. No middlemen, no mirrors. BREW: URLs are curated by the open-source Homebrew community.
Persistent App List
Apps you add are saved permanently. Close and reopen the app — your list is still there. Build your personal list once, use it across every reload.
Open Source
MIT licensed. Read every line of code. Fork it, customize it, share it. No data is collected — the tool is entirely local.
Built With Apple's Automation Technologies
A native macOS application — no third-party frameworks or runtimes required.
AppleScript
Written in AppleScript, Apple's built-in scripting language for macOS automation. Uses native dialogs, progress bars, and system integration that ship with every Mac.
osacompile
Compiled with Apple's osacompile tool into a standard .app bundle. Double-click to run like any native macOS application. Universal binary — runs on both Apple Silicon and Intel.
macOS Automation
Part of Apple's automation ecosystem alongside Automator and Shortcuts. Save it to your iCloud Automator folder to keep it with your other automation tools and sync across Macs.
System Permissions
macOS may ask you to grant access the first time you run the app.
These are standard macOS security prompts. You can review or revoke permissions at any time in System Settings > Privacy & Security. The app does not access anything beyond what is listed above.
Requirements
What you need to run this tool.
Pro Tip: Save to iCloud
Save Download Apps.app to your iCloud Drive > Automator folder (or any iCloud folder). Your customized app list syncs across all your Macs and survives system reloads — just open it from iCloud on your freshly installed system and download everything in one click.
About
Non App Store Apps Download is part of CodeCraftedApps, an independent developer's collection of apps, tools, and open-source projects. Built with AppleScript and Apple's native automation framework to solve a real problem: every time you reload macOS, you need to re-download all the apps that aren't in the App Store — Chrome, VS Code, Slack, and others — from a dozen different vendor websites. This tool lets you build your list once and download everything in one click. Always the latest stable release, always from official sources.
This is a download utility — it downloads files and that's it. It does not install, modify, or execute any software on your behalf. Use it with care, only add apps you trust, and always verify what you're downloading. It's open source — fork it and make it your own.