A native macOS application that embeds Epsilon — NumWorks’ open-source calculator firmware — as a real .app, with menu bar integration, keyboard shortcuts, offline use, and automatic updates via Sparkle.
This is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NumWorks.
The purpose of this project is to provide a native macOS shell around Epsilon, with desktop integration and update management.
Looking for the previous generation of this app (embedded HTML NumWorks simulator)? See release 1.3.1 — the last version based on the web simulator. Current releases (2.x) use a compiled Epsilon build from github.com/numworks/epsilon instead.
NumWorks App for Mac aims to make the calculator feel at home on macOS:
- Runs as a real macOS app (Dock, menu bar, global shortcuts, Settings)
- Embeds a compiled Epsilon simulator (same engine as the physical calculator)
- Works fully offline once installed
- App updates via Sparkle (signed appcast on GitHub Pages)
- Optional automatic tracking of new upstream Epsilon versions (maintainers)
No browser, no WebKit, no download of the official HTML simulator at runtime.
- macOS 15.5 or later (deployment target of the current build)
- Apple Silicon or Intel Mac
-
Open the latest release:
https://github.com/EllandeVED/NumworksApplication/releases/latest -
Download
NumWorks-<version>.zip(for exampleNumWorks-2.0.6.zip). -
Unzip, then drag NumWorks into Applications.
-
Because the app may not be notarized with a paid Developer ID, macOS can show a security warning:
-
Open System Settings → Privacy & Security, then choose Open Anyway:
Put the app in
/Applications. Sparkle updates are disabled until it lives there (you’ll also see a prompt in Settings).
git clone https://github.com/EllandeVED/NumworksApplication.git
cd NumworksApplication
# Prepare & build the linked Epsilon static library, then open in Xcode:
./NumWorks/Scripts/prepare-epsilon.sh latest # or a specific tag, e.g. 23.2.3
./NumWorks/Scripts/build-epsilon-lib.sh
open NumWorks.xcodeprojThe main branch tracks the current native (Epsilon) app.
- The app can check for updates automatically (toggle in Settings → General).
- You can also use Check for Updates… from the menu or Settings.
- Release notes appear in the Sparkle UI.
Updates only install when the app is in the Applications folder.
- Each app release embeds a specific Epsilon version (shown in Settings → About).
- Upstream Epsilon changes ship with new app releases (sometimes prepared automatically for maintainers when a new Epsilon tag appears).
- There is no separate “simulator download” into Application Support anymore.
- After installation, the calculator runs entirely locally.
- Network access is only needed to check for / download app updates (GitHub / GitHub Pages).
- Show / hide calculator (menu bar or global shortcut)
- Always on top (pin)
- Native or toolbar window chrome
- Launch at login, Dock icon on/off, menu bar icon style
- Window size / position remembered
- ⌘, to open Settings is not always reliable. Workaround: open Settings from the menu bar icon menu, or focus the menu bar item first, then try ⌘, again.
This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPLv3).
Copyright (c) 2025–2026 EllandeVED
See the LICENSE file in this repository for the full text.
The app embeds Epsilon (also GPLv3) and uses other third-party components (for example Sparkle) under their respective licenses. Combining this shell with Epsilon means redistributed binaries of the app are covered by GPLv3: you may use, study, share, and modify the software, and derivative works must remain under GPLv3 with appropriate attribution and source availability.
This project is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NumWorks.
NumWorks for Mac does not collect, store, or send personal data about your usage.
- Settings live only on your Mac (
UserDefaults). - Update checks contact GitHub / GitHub Pages (Sparkle appcast and releases).
- The calculator runs locally inside the app process (no embedded browser, no numworks.com simulator fetch).
Issues, feature requests, and pull requests are welcome.
If you find this project useful, feel free to star the repository and share it with others.