Good flow starts with a clean setup.
Everything Screenshot Shelf needs, nothing it does not. Start here when the shelf cannot see your captures or macOS asks for folder access.
Getting started
Four steps from install to first drag.
- Choose your screenshot folder
Select the folder where macOS currently saves captures.
- Take a screenshot
Use Command-Shift-3 or Command-Shift-4 as usual.
- Open the shelf
Use the right edge of the screen or the menu bar.
- Stay local
Your image and its index remain on the Mac.
Common questions
Clear answers to the first things macOS may ask.
Why does Screenshot Shelf need folder access?+
macOS requires explicit permission before an app can display, search, drag, or delete files in a folder. Screenshot Shelf can access only the folder you choose through the system picker.
Are my screenshots uploaded?+
No. Screenshot content, OCR, visual indexing, search, thumbnails, and organization metadata remain on your Mac.
Why is a new screenshot not appearing?+
Confirm that macOS is saving screenshots to the same folder shown in Screenshot Shelf Settings. Then use Refresh or choose the folder again.
How do I make screenshots arrive immediately?+
Press Command-Shift-5, open Options, and turn off Show Floating Thumbnail. New captures can then appear in the shelf without waiting for the system thumbnail.
How do I remove folder access?+
Choosing another folder replaces the saved folder permission. Removing Screenshot Shelf and its local application data clears its saved access and metadata.
Why does the beta ask me to Control-click Open?+
The independent beta is Developer ID signed but is still awaiting Apple notarization. Control-click Screenshot Shelf, choose Open, then confirm once. The Mac App Store release will use Apple's standard installation flow.
Need a hand?
Email hello@lumany.co with what happened and your macOS version. We will help you get the shelf moving again.