What is Vesslo?
Vesslo is a native macOS app manager for people who install apps from more than one place. It brings local applications, update sources, app health, running state, notes, tags, and recovery tasks into one inspector-style workspace.
Instead of treating every version string as a simple update, Vesslo keeps source context. A Homebrew-managed app, a Sparkle-updated app, an App Store app, a manual installer, and a Homebrew conversion candidate are different states with different actions.
Native Inventory
Inspect version, build, bundle ID, path, category, source, running state, tags, and notes.
Source-aware Updates
Separate Homebrew, Sparkle, App Store, manual installer, and conversion workflows.
Update Dashboard
Review visible updates, batch-ready items, verification tasks, sources, and blockers.
Health Checks
Keep security findings, update support, and management recommendations separate.
Recovery Workflows
Track updates that need confirmation, installer follow-up, or terminal verification.
Raycast Companion
Search apps and visible update state from Vesslo's exported data in Raycast.
Native Inspector Layout
Vesslo keeps navigation, app selection, and detailed actions in a stable three-column Native Inspector workspace.
| Area | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Library | All apps, installed apps, deleted records, favorites, licensed apps, and subscriptions |
| Smart Folders | Running apps, Updates, App Store, Auto Update, Security Check, and Update Support |
| Health | Security issues, update support attention, and management reference groups |
| Categories & Tags | Browse by app category or your own tags |
| Detail Panel | Update, open, quit, uninstall, tag, memo, verify, or recover the selected app |
Update Dashboard
The Update Dashboard summarizes what you can actually act on. It uses source-aware update eligibility and readiness checks instead of counting every app with a candidate version.
| Metric | Meaning |
|---|---|
| All Updates | Apps currently visible as update candidates |
| Ready Now | Updates Vesslo can include in a batch workflow |
| Verify Results | Updates needing confirmation after manual, terminal, or installer actions |
| Needs Action | Items blocked by running apps, failed verification, or required recovery |
| Open App Store | Updates that should be handled through the App Store |
| Run in Vesslo | Updates Vesslo can route through its own workflow |
Brew Convertible apps are not counted as normal updates unless they are actually installed and managed through Homebrew.
Health Checks
Vesslo separates app health into three groups so warnings stay specific and useful.
| Group | Includes | Does not mean |
|---|---|---|
| Security Check | Unsigned apps, invalid signatures, and apps that are not notarized | The app is malware |
| Update Support | Stale checks, repeated failures, unavailable sources, or support that may have ended | The app is definitely discontinued |
| Management Notes | Large apps, subscriptions, no source, Brew conversion candidates, or deleted-history matches | The app is broken |
Update Support is intentionally cautious. It reports that a source has not been checked successfully or has repeatedly failed; it does not make a definitive claim that support ended.
Update Workflows
Vesslo supports several update paths and keeps them visibly distinct.
Individual Update
Update one selected app through its confirmed source route.
Batch Update
Run eligible updates sequentially with readiness checks and failure isolation.
Category Update
Review and update a focused app group.
Manual Installer
Open an installer or download page and track verification separately.
App Store
Open the App Store or use the appropriate App Store workflow.
Terminal-backed
Show user-visible command output for workflows that need it.
Before a batch update, Vesslo checks running apps, password or installer requirements, and whether completion can be verified afterward.
Verification & Recovery
Some updates cannot be marked complete when a command or installer closes. Needs Verification keeps those items visible until Vesslo confirms the installed version or you resolve the recovery step.
| Case | Why verification is needed |
|---|---|
| Manual installer | You may need to drag, install, or restart outside Vesslo |
| Internal terminal workflow | A command may finish before the app bundle version changes |
| App Store workflow | The App Store may complete the update outside Vesslo |
| Running app blocker | The app may need to quit safely before updating |
| Recovery needed | A previous attempt failed or needs manual cleanup |
When pending items exist, the Updates workspace exposes Needs Verification so you can re-check installed versions or follow a recovery action.
Update Sources
Vesslo identifies where an app can be updated from and whether that route is executable for the current install state.
| Source | What Vesslo does |
|---|---|
| Homebrew | Checks installed casks, validates app identity, and updates actual Homebrew-managed apps |
| Sparkle | Reads the app's update feed and uses the feed-backed route when available |
| App Store | Checks App Store metadata and routes App Store-only items through the correct flow |
| Manual Installer | Opens the installer or download route and tracks verification separately |
| iOS App Wrapper | Shows relevant App Store information without treating iOS data as a normal macOS updater |
| Brew Convertible | Shows possible Homebrew adoption without treating it as a current Brew update |
Installed source, available update source, and conversion candidates remain separate so update buttons do not mix unrelated routes.
Manual Installer Apps
Some apps publish updates as installers, disk images, or vendor download pages. Vesslo tracks them without pretending they are silent one-click updates.
| State | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Manual installer detected | Show the update and open the vendor installer or download route |
| Version not verified immediately | Keep the item in Needs Verification |
| Installer requires action | Keep the task visible until confirmation or a new app check |
Brew Convertible Apps
Brew Convertible means Vesslo found a likely Homebrew cask for an app that is not currently managed by Homebrew. It is a conversion opportunity, not a normal Homebrew update.
| Case | How Vesslo treats it |
|---|---|
| Installed through Homebrew | Allow the Homebrew update route |
| Only a matching cask exists | Show conversion and adoption information |
| Sparkle update plus Brew candidate | Keep Sparkle as the executable update route |
| Cask identity is uncertain | Send the item to review or adoption context instead of auto-update |
Update available means there is an executable route for the current install state. Brew Convertible means a better management path may be available if you adopt it.
Running App Handling
Running apps can block updates, uninstalls, or deep clean actions. Vesslo provides safe quit and force quit controls when appropriate.
| Action | Use when |
|---|---|
| Quit App | Ask the app to quit safely |
| Force Quit App | Use when the app is stuck or blocking a required action |
| Re-check | Refresh running state after quitting |
App Management
Vesslo is also a day-to-day app inventory. Organize apps, keep local context, and review management details without losing source information.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Tags | Organize apps by your own workflow |
| Memos | Keep app-specific notes |
| Favorites | Pin important apps |
| Deleted Records | Track removed apps and possible bundle ID matches |
| Deep Clean | Review app-related files before cleanup |
| License / Subscription Reference | See license and subscription status when available |
Inventory Export & Restore
Inventory Export saves a read-only report of your app library. Compare / Restore Assistant compares a previous JSON export with the current Mac and restores only safe metadata.
| Format | Purpose |
|---|---|
| CSV | Spreadsheet-friendly app inventory |
| JSON | Structured backup and compare source |
| Brewfile | Homebrew-managed apps for future brew bundle use |
Restore Assistant does not reinstall apps automatically. It restores safe metadata and can prepare helper output such as a Brewfile or App Store links.
Search & Filter
Use search, categories, tags, source filters, health folders, and Update Dashboard filters to narrow a large library quickly.
| Filter | Examples |
|---|---|
| Source | Homebrew, Sparkle, App Store, Manual |
| Health | Security Check, Update Support, Management Notes |
| Update state | Ready Now, Verify Results, Needs Action, Open App Store |
| Tags | User-created app groups |
| Category | Developer Tools, Productivity, Utilities, Graphics, and more |
Shortcuts
These shortcuts are wired in the current Vesslo app.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command + R | Refresh app and update state |
| Command + F | Focus search |
| Command + 1 | Open List View |
| Command + 2 | Open Table View |
| Command + 3 | Open Updates Grid View |
| Command + 4 | Open Updates List View |
| Command + U | Update the selected app |
| Command + , | Open Settings |
Settings
Settings control update sources, Homebrew and MAS helper setup, app discovery, appearance, export behavior, and advanced management options.
| Area | Includes |
|---|---|
| Updates | Source checks, refresh behavior, and helper setup |
| Sources | Homebrew, MAS CLI, App Store, and Sparkle-related behavior |
| Permissions | macOS permission status and guidance |
| Advanced | Inventory, compare and restore, diagnostics, and caches |
| License | Trial, activation, and license status |
When MAS CLI setup is needed, Vesslo uses a visible terminal-style workflow so you can see the command and its completion state.
Raycast Extension
The Vesslo Raycast Extension gives quick access to app search, visible updates, and read-only warning context from Vesslo's exported data.
- Search apps from Raycast.
- View visible updates exported by Vesslo.
- Open app details or update routes in Vesslo.
- See warning-only context such as health or update support signals.
- Use Homebrew actions only when eligibility marks an item as a real Homebrew update.
The all-source Vesslo batch route is not limited to Homebrew apps.
FAQ
Can Vesslo update every app automatically?
No. macOS apps come from different sources, and some updates require an installer, the App Store, a password, user confirmation, or running-app recovery. Vesslo shows what is ready, blocked, and awaiting verification.
Why does an app show Update Support?
Vesslo has not successfully checked that source recently or the source has repeatedly failed. It does not automatically mean the app is discontinued.
Is Brew Convertible the same as a Homebrew update?
No. It means Vesslo found a possible cask for an app not currently managed by Homebrew. It is an adoption opportunity, not a normal update.
Why do some updates require verification?
Manual installers, terminal-backed workflows, App Store updates, and recovery flows may finish outside Vesslo. Needs Verification keeps them visible until the installed state is confirmed.
Why does the update count differ from all candidate versions?
Vesslo counts actionable visible updates. Review-only candidates, deleted apps, skipped updates, and Brew conversion candidates remain separate.
Does Vesslo replace Homebrew, Sparkle, or the App Store?
No. Vesslo coordinates those sources and explains their state. The actual route still depends on how the app is installed and what its developer provides.
Does Raycast execute updates by itself?
The extension uses Vesslo's exported data and safe actions. Most update workflows open Vesslo or use validated source-specific routes rather than guessing from names or versions.
Support
Need help with update sources, app detection, license activation, or a confusing warning? Include the app name, current version, expected source, and a screenshot of the detail panel when possible.