TastaCalma
TastaCalma temporarily pauses keyboard input while you wipe your Mac’s keys. These notes cover setup, everyday use and the most common interruptions.
Contact
For help, email Luca Cipressi · Milletgrain at lucaji.milletgrain@gmail.com .
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.
- Open TastaCalma and click Open Accessibility Settings in the setup sheet. If you previously chose Later, click Set Up Accessibility to reopen it.
- In System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility, enable TastaCalma.
- 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.
- Return to TastaCalma. When the sheet says You’re ready, click Done. If permission is not recognised, quit and reopen the app.
- Choose a duration and click Lock keyboard when ready.
You can leave setup with Later. Granting permission does not start a lock automatically.
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 TastaCalma is enabled in Accessibility settings, then quit and reopen it if you have just changed permission. 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. TastaCalma follows macOS language preferences and 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 and appearance 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.