Apple Silicon
M1, M2, M3, M4 or later
Free · early access
Download Rostra
Select text anywhere, press a shortcut, hear it read aloud. Runs entirely on your Mac — no account, no internet, nothing sent anywhere.
Detected: Apple Silicon Mac Need Windows or a different Mac? Show all downloads
Detected: Intel Mac Need Windows or a different Mac? Show all downloads
The Intel build is in development
Rostra's current build runs only on Apple Silicon. An Intel Mac version is being built right now — we'd rather tell you than hand you a download that won't open.
Email me when the Intel build is readyDetected: Windows Need the Mac version? Show all downloads
Windows SmartScreen will warn you the first time — Rostra isn't code-signed yet. Click More info then Run anyway. Windows install steps ↓
Choose your platform
Not sure which Mac you have? Click the menu → About This Mac. If it says Chip, you're Apple Silicon. If it says Processor, you're Intel.
We'll send you install help and let you know when new voices and builds land. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
First launch
Installing on macOS
Rostra isn't notarised by Apple yet, so macOS blocks it the first time. It's three steps, once. Here's exactly what you'll see.
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Rostra
→
Applications
1Unzip and move to Applications
Double-click the downloaded file, then drag Rostra into your Applications folder.
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Privacy & Security
"Rostra" was blocked to protect your Mac.
Open Anyway2Allow Rostra to open
Open Rostra once — macOS will refuse. Then go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down to Security, and click Open Anyway. Confirm, and enter your password.
On macOS Sequoia and later, right-clicking and choosing Open no longer works — it has to be done in System Settings.
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Accessibility
Rostra
3Turn on Accessibility
Rostra needs this to read the text you select. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility and switch Rostra on.
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4
Look in the menu bar
Rostra has no window and no Dock icon. It lives in your menu bar, top-right. Select any text and press ⌘⌃S to hear it.
First launch
Installing on Windows
Rostra isn't code-signed yet, so SmartScreen warns you once. Three steps and you're running.
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Windows protected your PC
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognised app from starting.
More info Run anyway1Run the installer
Open Rostra-Setup-free-0.0.8.exe. SmartScreen will warn you — click More info, then Run anyway, and follow the installer.
This warning appears because the app isn't code-signed yet, not because anything is wrong with it.
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2
Find it in the system tray
Rostra has no window. It runs in the notification area at the bottom-right of your taskbar — you may need to click the ^ arrow to see hidden icons. Right-click it for voice, speed and settings.
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CtrlShiftS3
Select text and press the shortcut
Highlight text in any app and press CtrlShiftS. Rostra reads it aloud. You can change the shortcut from the tray menu.