# Publish Mode Open Beta â€” Manual Installation

Version: `0.9.0-beta.1`
Expiration date (UTC): `2026-10-16`

> Only download Publish Mode from the official Publish Mode or The Bearded Beanie website. Beta builds are currently unsigned and may trigger an operating-system security warning.

Publish Mode is an unsigned beta from an independent developer: it has no
Developer ID identity and is not notarized. macOS bundles carry only an
identity-free ad-hoc seal required for Apple Silicon loading. It does not
install a background service, account system, licence manager, telemetry, or
automatic updater. The plug-in only opens the official product or feedback
page after you click the corresponding button.

Supported packages:

- Windows 10/11 64-bit: VST3
- macOS: VST3. An Audio Unit is included only after that exact candidate has
  passed `auval` and the documented Logic project test; check `BUILD_INFO.txt`.

## Verify the download

Each ZIP has a companion `.sha256` file, and the extracted folder contains
`SHA256SUMS.txt`.

macOS:

```sh
shasum -a 256 PublishMode-0.9.0-beta.1-macOS.zip
cd PublishMode-0.9.0-beta.1-macOS
shasum -a 256 -c SHA256SUMS.txt
```

Windows PowerShell:

```powershell
Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256 .\PublishMode-0.9.0-beta.1-Windows.zip
Get-Content .\PublishMode-0.9.0-beta.1-Windows\SHA256SUMS.txt
```

Compare the reported archive hash with the value published on the official
download page. Do not install a package whose checksum differs.

## Windows installation

1. Close the DAW.
2. Extract the ZIP.
3. Copy `PublishMode.vst3` to:
   `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Common\VST3\`
4. Open the DAW and run its full VST3 rescan.

This is the per-user VST3 location used by the projectâ€™s installation scripts;
it does not require administrator rights. If Windows marks the downloaded ZIP
as coming from the internet, open the ZIPâ€™s Properties dialog and use the
individual-file `Unblock` option only after verifying the official checksum.
Do not disable SmartScreen or Defender globally.

To uninstall, close the DAW and remove
`%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Common\VST3\PublishMode.vst3`, then rescan.

## macOS installation

1. Close every audio host.
2. Extract the ZIP.
3. Copy `PublishMode.vst3` to `~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/`.
4. Ifâ€”and only ifâ€”the ZIP contains `PublishMode.component`, copy it to
   `~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/`.
5. Reopen the DAW and run a full plug-in rescan. Logic users installing an
   included component can run its Audio Unit rescan if the component is cached.

If macOS blocks this checksum-verified beta, try to open or scan the individual
Publish Mode bundle once, then use System Settings â†’ Privacy & Security â†’
`Open Anyway` for that specific item. Do not disable Gatekeeper globally.

To uninstall, close all hosts and remove the PublishMode bundles that were
included in your ZIP from the folders above, then rescan.

## Beta expiry and compatibility

The About panel in the plug-in shows the embedded version, build number, and
expiry date. During the last 14 days the editor shows a dismissible reminder.
After expiry, settings still restore and can be exported. Processing remains
available for ten minutes per DAW process, then fades smoothly to
latency-aligned dry passthrough.

The beta and release-mode builds intentionally retain the same plug-in
identity, state root, and parameter IDs so the official version can replace the
beta while continuing to load compatible projects and presets.

Official page: https://thebeardedbeanie.com/publish-mode/
Feedback: https://thebeardedbeanie.com/feedback/

