macOS permissions
Which permissions ShowTake needs, why, and how to grant them.
Only ShowTake.app needs permissions. The MCP helper your agent starts forwards every call to the app over a local socket, so your terminal or editor never needs Accessibility or Screen Recording access.
| Permission | Needed for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | Mac apps | Read the app's controls, press buttons, type and scroll. |
| Screen Recording | Mac apps | Record the app's window with ScreenCaptureKit. |
| Automation (none) | - | ShowTake does not script other apps through Apple Events. |
iOS apps in the Simulator need neither: the simulator is recorded with Xcode's own tools and driven through AXe.
Granting them
prepare_macos checks both permissions first. If one is missing, the agent receives the steps to tell you:
- Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility (or Screen & System Audio Recording).
- Turn on ShowTake. If it is not listed, click + and choose it from Applications.
- For Screen Recording, macOS asks you to quit and reopen ShowTake.
After an update
ShowTake is signed with the same Developer ID on every release, so the permissions stay granted across updates. If macOS still asks again, remove ShowTake from the list with − and add it back.