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Tarn for macOS

Tarn for macOS is the released client: version 0.1.0 runs on macOS 14 or later. The window, sidebar and toolbar are drawn with GPUI from Rust, pages render in the system WebKit, and Chromium tabs are an option per tab. Release builds are signed with a Developer ID and notarised by Apple. Every other client is measured against this one.
Requires
macOS 14 or later
Shell
Rust, drawn with GPUI
Engine
System WebKit
Optional engine
Chromium per tab, through CEF
Install
Signed, notarised download
Download for macOS
Tarn's start page: a search field over an ASCII cloud bank, with the sidebar on the left
The start page. One field for addresses, search and actions.

What works on the Mac today?

The full feature set. macOS is the lead client, so every feature lands here first and is the reference for the others.

  • Shield with Standard, Strict and Lockdown levels, and blocking you can switch per site
  • Spaces and profiles with separate cookies and site data; private spaces in memory only
  • One address field for URLs, search, open tabs and app actions, and a shortcut for nearly everything
  • Split View, link peek, tab groups, pinned tabs and tabs that sleep when unused

How is it built?

A Rust shell draws the interface with GPUI; each page is a native WebKit view inside that window. Chromium tabs are built in and offered while automatic updates are on, because Chromium's security fixes arrive only through them. Updates are EdDSA-signed and checked by Sparkle before they install.

webkit.org, the engine Tarn uses on macOS, open in Tarn
webkit.org: the engine behind every Tarn tab on macOS.
  • Tarn's site settings popover: Shield level for the site, zoom, mute, blocking, pop-ups, dark mode and site CSS
    Site settings from the Shield badge: Shield level, blocking and more for one site.
  • Tarn's reader showing a Wikipedia article as plain text with size, width and Read Aloud controls
    The reader: text size, width, Read Aloud and Save for Later.
  • Split View on macOS with Wikipedia and a GitHub repository side by side
    Split View puts two pages side by side in one window.
  • The address field open with a search suggestion and open tabs to switch to
    One field searches the web and switches to open tabs.
  • Tarn's settings window open on the Personal profile's Shield card
    Settings, open on the profile's Shield card.
  • Settings › Appearance: themes Tarn, Tarn Light, Graphite, High Contrast and Ember
    Appearance: built-in themes and the search bar effect.

Where does my data live?

Profile data stays in ~/Library/Application Support/Tarn and WebKit's data in ~/Library/WebKit/dev.tarn.browser. Tarn has no accounts, no telemetry and no servers of its own.

Can I build it myself?

Yes, with access to the repository. You need macOS 14 or later, the Xcode command line tools and stable Rust.

cargo run -p app --release
cargo run -p app -- https://example.com   # open a URL in a new tab

What it does not do yet

  • Tarn is in early development; 0.1.0 is the first release.
  • Chromium tabs open only while automatic updates are on. A build that cannot reach a signed update feed never opens Chromium.
  • Chromium tabs run without Tarn's memory measurement, and the hosts Chromium may contact on its own are not enforced.
  • macOS 13 and older are not supported.

Questions

Which macOS version does Tarn need?

macOS 14 Sonoma or later.

Is the Mac app signed?

Yes. Release builds are signed with Quavon's Apple Developer ID and notarised by Apple, and updates carry an EdDSA signature that is checked before they install.

Which engine renders pages on the Mac?

The system WebKit, which macOS ships and keeps patched. You can open single tabs in Chromium, or make it the default, while automatic updates are on.

Is the Mac app built on Electron?

No. The interface is drawn with GPUI from a Rust shell; there is no bundled web runtime drawing the window.

Does the Mac app send telemetry?

No. Tarn has no accounts and no telemetry. The few connections it makes itself, such as update and filter-list checks, are listed in Settings › Privacy.

Last reviewed

Try Tarn on your Mac

No account to make and nothing sent home. macOS 14 or later; other platforms are in development.

Download for macOSAll platforms