TastaCalma Support

TastaCalma temporarily pauses keyboard input while you wipe your Mac’s keys. These notes cover setup, everyday use and the most common interruptions.

Download and install

The current release is TastaCalma 1.0 (build 23) for macOS 15.6 or later, with native support for Intel and Apple silicon. It is distributed outside the Mac App Store as a Developer ID signed and notarized app.

1. Download TastaCalma-1.0.zip and SHA256SUMS into the same folder.
2. To verify the download, open Terminal, change to that folder and run the command below. The result should be TastaCalma-1.0.zip: OK.
3. Extract the ZIP, move TastaCalma.app into Applications, and open it. The ZIP also includes LICENSE.txt.
4. Follow the Accessibility setup below. Signing and notarization do not grant that permission automatically.

shasum -a 256 -c SHA256SUMS

Use the named app ZIP: GitHub’s automatic Source code (zip) and Source code (tar.gz) archives contain the source, not the ready-to-run app. See the 1.0 release notes for the published checksum and release details.

Updates

TastaCalma does not include an automatic updater. Check GitHub Releases for new versions. To update, finish any cleaning session, quit TastaCalma, verify and extract the new download, then replace your copy in Applications. Open that same copy and check Accessibility access before starting another session.

Contact

For help, email Luca Cipressi · Milletgrain at lucaji.milletgrain@gmail.com .

You can also visit the MILLETGRAIN community on Discord or report an issue on GitHub . Avoid posting personal information in public reports.

Please include:

• your Mac model and macOS version;
• your TastaCalma version and build number, shown in About;
• whether you use the built-in keyboard or an external one, and its model;
• the steps that led to the problem and any message shown by the app;
• your interface language and any relevant accessibility settings.

A screenshot can help, but remove personal information first. Support never needs your password or the content of your keystrokes.

Set up Accessibility permission

TastaCalma needs macOS Accessibility permission to pause keyboard input during a cleaning session.

1. Open TastaCalma and click Open Accessibility Settings in the setup sheet. The sheet appears automatically at most once per app launch when permission is missing. If you chose Later, click Set Up Accessibility or Lock keyboard to reopen it.
2. In System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility, enable TastaCalma.
3. If the app is missing, click +, select TastaCalma.app in Applications, click Open, and enable its switch. The installed filename stays TastaCalma.app even when the interface uses a translated app name.
4. The open sheet rechecks permission once a second, including while System Settings is in front. When it says You’re ready, return to TastaCalma and click Done.
5. Choose a duration and click Lock keyboard when ready.

You can leave setup with Later. This dismisses it for the current launch, including if you close and reopen the window. It can appear again after you quit and relaunch the app if permission is still missing. Granting permission does not start a lock automatically.

Accessibility is enabled, but setup is still waiting

1. In the setup sheet, expand Switch is on, but setup is still waiting? and click Check Again.
2. If access is still unavailable, quit TastaCalma and reopen the same copy.
3. If it still waits, quit the app. In Accessibility settings, select the old TastaCalma entry and click −. Click +, add the copy you actually open, and enable its switch. Reopen that same copy.

The recovery section shows the running app’s path to help identify it. For normal use, keep TastaCalma in Applications; an earlier development build may have a separate permission entry. Check Again only checks permission: it does not prompt, change settings or start a timer. Automatic rechecking stops when permission is detected or the setup sheet closes.

Start and finish a cleaning session

Choose 30 seconds, 1, 2, 3 or 5 minutes. Release Command, Control, Option, Shift and Fn before clicking Lock keyboard. Wait until the app shows the active countdown before touching the keys.

Keep a mouse or trackpad available. Typing returns when the timer ends, or you can click Unlock now to finish early. Keyboard shortcuts are filtered during the countdown, so use the pointer to operate the app.

The app remembers your selected duration. You cannot change it during an active session.

The keyboard lock will not start

Check that the copy of TastaCalma you are using is enabled in Accessibility settings. If setup still waits, follow the permission recovery steps above . Release any held modifier keys and try again.

If the app reports Secure Keyboard Entry, finish and close password prompts or the app using that mode before trying again. TastaCalma cannot filter keyboard input reliably while that protection is active.

If macOS still refuses to enable the lock, stop cleaning and contact support with the exact message. Do not assume the keyboard is locked when the app reports an error.

The timer stopped early

Closing the window, quitting, putting the Mac to sleep, switching user sessions, losing Accessibility permission or a system interruption can release the keyboard before the timer ends. Another app enabling Secure Keyboard Entry also ends the session.

Stop cleaning when an interruption notice appears. Resolve the cause, then start a new timer when ready. TastaCalma does not silently restart an interrupted lock.

Some keys still respond

Power / Touch ID cannot be blocked. Avoid that key while cleaning. Media keys and system-reserved actions can behave differently across keyboards and Macs.

If ordinary typing still reaches another app during a countdown, stop cleaning, click Unlock now, and report the keyboard model and circumstances to support.

TastaCalma is a short cleaning aid. Use the macOS login screen when you need to secure your computer.

Appearance, language and accessibility

The appearance button cycles through System → Light → Dark and saves your choice.

Choose Language in the app menu, or click the short language code beside the appearance button on the timer or About page, to select a language. Follow System restores macOS language selection. Your choice is saved and updates the app without restarting or interrupting a timer. Standard macOS menu commands and system permission dialogs still follow macOS settings; some app text may remain in English.

TastaCalma supports Reduce Motion, accessibility labels and spoken lock/unlock announcements.

Click the app name at the top of the window, or use About in the app menu, to see version information. Visiting About or changing appearance keeps a running timer active; return to the timer page to unlock early.

For an accessibility or translation issue, include the control, language and assistive setting involved in your report.

Cleaning your hardware

Follow Apple’s cleaning instructions or those from your keyboard manufacturer. TastaCalma does not replace instructions to shut down or unplug equipment for cleaning.

Privacy and permissions

TastaCalma does not record your typing. Your timer, appearance and language preferences stay on your Mac. You can revoke its permission in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility; without it, keyboard locking is unavailable.

Read the TastaCalma Privacy Policy for details.