Desk Lamp Help

If you haven’t already, please read the manual. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How do I get the beta?

Desk Lamp 1.0 is on TestFlight: join the beta, install TestFlight from the Mac App Store if you don’t have it, and install Desk Lamp from there. Desk Lamp needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later.

Why does Desk Lamp ask me for a folder?

Apps from the Mac App Store and TestFlight can only read the files you give them, so Desk Lamp can only search the folders you add in Preferences › Search. Add your home folder to search all your files.

Where did my keywords, projects and ratings go?

Desk Lamp 1.0 uses Finder tags instead. The keywords and projects of earlier versions were only ever written where Desk Lamp could see them, and ratings are now star tags, which the Finder and every other app can see too.

Why are some files missing from my results?

Desk Lamp leaves out the folders in Preferences › Search, starting with your Library folder, and the files .gitignore files ignore when that’s turned on. Spotlight also skips the folders in its Search Privacy list in System Settings › Spotlight.

How do I report a problem?

Send feedback from the TestFlight app, choose Help › Send Feedback in Desk Lamp, or email support@desklampx.com.