Frequently Asked Questions
If your question isn't listed below, feel free to contact me via email :)
Why use this instead of Spotlight or Raycast?
TinyStart is designed to be lightweight and fast. Unlike Spotlight, it never becomes overcrowded with search results you don't need. And unlike Alfred or Raycast, it will never support third-party extensions, so it can stay focused on the essentials.
Does TinyStart support calculations and unit conversions?
Yes! TinyStart includes a built-in calculator and basic unit converter (length, mass, volume, temperature).
Type your calculation directly in TinyStart, and the result will be displayed inline within the launcher. For conversions, include the destination unit (e.g., "10 km in miles", "5 kg to lbs").
Can TinyStart also replace my clipboard manager?
For now, TinyStart is focused on apps, links, and emoji, and does not include clipboard management features.
In my opinion, clipboard management is often better handled by a dedicated app. My favorite ones over the years have been Pastebot and Maccy.
Is it compatible with my Mac?
TinyStart is compatible with macOS 14.6 Sonoma and later versions.
Your purchase includes a universal binary which works for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
Can I get a free trial?
I do not offer a free trial version of TinyStart at this time. When you purchase the app, you will get a ZIP file containing the full app, no license key required.
That being said, if you are not satisfied with your purchase, feel free to contact me via email within 14 days. I will provide a full refund.
How can I report bugs and provide feedback?
Feel free to message me on Mastodon or via email: contact@nileane.fr
Was AI used in the making of this app?
LLM-powered features are built into the development tools that I use (mainly Visual Studio Code), and I do use those for inline suggestions or code completions.
I may use the Chat sidebar features in Visual Studio Code to ask questions, plan features, and help me figure out solutions to problems, however I do not let LLMs write entire chunks of the app for me.
Does TinyStart collect data?
No, TinyStart does not collect any personal data. Everything is stored locally on your device: your preferences, your saved links and folders, as well as the ranking counters for your frequently used apps and emoji.
No telemetry is performed either. TinyStart only talks to the Internet for two purposes: updating the app and fetching favicons.
Does TinyStart require any system permissions?
TinyStart only requires Accessibility permission to insert Emoji into other apps.
Grant this permission once from the app's Settings. If you don't intend to use the Emoji insertion feature, you can safely deny or ignore this permission.
Have I heard of you somewhere else?
My name is Niléane, you may know me as one of the co-hosts of Comfort Zone, a MacStories podcast in which Christopher Lawley, Matt Birchler and I talk about tech and challenge each other to get out of our comfort zones.
I am also active on Mastodon, where I write about tech and my activities as a trans feminist activist in France.
