Getting Started
On first launch, About QRDev may appear with quick tips. Open it anytime from the popover footer.
Finding QRDev
QRDev lives in the menu bar (right side). Look for the QR-style icon. If you do not see it, use the overflow » or ›› to reveal hidden icons—you can drag QRDev into the main bar.
Click the icon (left or right) to toggle the popover.
Workspaces
Two pills at the top switch between:
- Generate — Enter a URL, preview the QR, copy or save to the library.
- Library — Browse, search, edit, export, and manage saved entries.
While Library detail is open for one entry, the pills are hidden; use Back or ⌘← when the popover has focus to return.
On a fresh install, the first time you open the popover QRDev starts on Generate. After that, it remembers your last place—Generate, the Library list, or Library detail for a specific entry (if that entry still exists).
Quick Reference
These shortcuts work only while the QRDev popover is the key window. ⌘G, ⌘L, ⌘←, and ⌘→ are routed so they still fire when the Library list, Edit URL/name fields, or Style / Export detail UI has keyboard focus—they are not swallowed as plain arrow keys in those controls. ⌘E applies only on the Library list (see the table row below). While the Library search field has focus, ⌘G and ⌘L stay with the field for normal typing; ⌘E still opens detail when exactly one filtered row is selected (search focus clears as part of that action).
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
⌘G | Generate — switches workspace and focuses the URL field |
⌘L | Library list — closes detail if it was open |
⌘E | Library list only — opens detail for the single selected visible row. Does not run from Generate and does not pick a “last” or newest entry for you. |
⌘← / ⌘→ | Back / forward between Generate, Library list, and detail (same rules as on-screen controls). ⌘← from the Library list → Generate; from Library detail (any tab) → Library list. ⌘→ from Generate → Library; from the Library list with exactly one row selected → detail for that row. |
⌘S | Save — draft to library on Generate when valid; in Library detail, saves changes when valid |
⌘C | Copy on Generate — respects text selection when appropriate; in Library or detail, follows the entry copy flow |
⌘F | Focus Library search when list chrome has focus |
⌘1 / ⌘2 / ⌘3 | Library detail tabs: Edit, Style, Export |
⌘, | Settings when QRDev is active — or use the popover footer gear |
Generate
Build a QR from a valid http or https URL. Bare domains get https:// where appropriate; localhost keeps http when suitable. After layout settles the first time the popover shows, Generate auto-focuses the URL so you can paste immediately. ⌘G also switches to Generate and focuses the URL.
- URL — Required for copy/save.
- Optional name — Stored with the library entry.
- Reset — Clears draft URL, name, and preview.
Copy uses the selected format (PNG, high-res PNG, or SVG). Save QR adds or updates a library entry (duplicate URLs update the same row). Format chips below the actions choose the active copy format; High-res PNG and SVG require QRDev Plus.
Library
Up to 50 entries stored; 30 visible in the list. Newest first. Search filters by name and URL.
Row actions: select, copy icon (styled PNG for that entry), chevron for detail, delete (two-step). Use Undo in the Edit menu when available for supported library changes. With Option and one row selected, reorder in filtered order.
With exactly one row selected, Enter can copy PNG for that row. ⌘← switches to Generate. ⌘→ from the list with exactly one row selected opens Library detail. ⌘E opens detail in that same one-row case, but only on the Library list—it does not run from Generate. Delete removes selected visible rows (with confirmation where required).
When the search field is focused, list navigation and ⌘← / ⌘→ pause so you can type normally; ⌘G and ⌘L are left to the field as well. ⌘E still opens detail when exactly one filtered row is selected (search focus clears as part of that action).
Footer: Export saves selected rows as PNGs in a ZIP (save panel). Clear library removes everything (with confirmation).
Library Detail
Open from a row’s chevron or equivalent row actions. On the Library list with exactly one row selected, ⌘E or ⌘→ opens detail. ⌘E does not run from Generate.
⌘← returns to the Library list from detail (including from Style and Export)—it does not depend on which control had focus. Esc closes detail when a text field is not focused (otherwise Esc edits the field); the app also handles Esc at the popover level so you are not stuck when a field is focused.
- Edit — URL, name, live preview, Save Changes, Use Template (send draft to Generate).
- Style — Foreground/background swatches, quiet zone slider. Saving non-default styling requires Plus.
- Export — Preferred format (PNG, high-res, SVG, PDF), Download and Copy — PDF is download-only.
⌘1 / ⌘2 / ⌘3 switch Edit / Style / Export. On the Style tab, ← / → move the selected swatch within the active row.
QRDev Plus
One-time in-app purchase (not a subscription). Unlocks:
- High-res PNG copy and download
- SVG copy and download
- PDF export from Library detail
- Persisting custom colors and non-default quiet zone on library entries
Open Unlock QRDev from Plus prompts or in-app links. Price comes from the App Store (StoreKit).
Settings
Open from the popover footer (gear), QRDev → Settings when the app is active, or ⌘, while QRDev is the active app.
- General — Theme, window appearance (popover), launch at login.
- Style — Preferred export format defaults, default colors, default quiet zone (separate from per-entry style in Library detail).
Permissions
QRDev is designed as a menu bar utility and does not require Accessibility, Input Monitoring, or Screen Recording.