Yes. achu is free and open source under the MIT License. Download from https://github.com/QAInsights/achu/releases.

Why does macOS say achu can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software?

achu is not yet code-signed or notarized with an Apple Developer ID. Open achu once, click Done (not Move to Trash), then System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway. Authenticate, open achu again, and confirm Open. Full steps: https://achu.app/#install

Windows SmartScreen says Windows protected your PC when I open achu

Expected for unsigned portable EXEs. Click More info, then Run anyway. achu is MIT open source from GitHub. Signed builds are on the roadmap. Steps: https://achu.app/#install

How do I install achu in 30 seconds?

Download the OS-specific binary from https://achu.app or GitHub Releases. Windows: run the portable EXE (More info → Run anyway if SmartScreen appears). macOS: install from the DMG, then Privacy & Security → Open Anyway. Linux: chmod +x the AppImage or install the .deb. See https://achu.app/#install

அச்சு means "print" or "mold" in Tamil

achu

Q: What is the achu screenshot gallery?

The gallery is a built-in local library. Save beautified captures from the footer Gallery button, browse thumbnails, reopen images in the editor, and manage files on disk. Default folder is ~/achu-screenshots; you can choose any folder in Settings.

Q: What happens when I delete an image from the achu gallery?

Deletes are soft-deletes. Files move to a .achu-trash subfolder inside your gallery directory and are automatically removed after 30 days.

Q: Does achu put a watermark on exports?

New installs default to a subtle Made with achu brand badge so shared images can help others discover the app. Turn it off anytime in Extras or Settings; the preference is saved.

Free open-source screenshot beautifier for Windows, macOS, and Linux - local gallery, privacy redact, Code Studio, AI issues, and burst packs.

Download App Install in 30s Explore Features

Get started

Install in 30 seconds

Free on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Download, open once, and you are in. Current builds are unsigned (open source MIT). OS warnings are expected and safe to dismiss with the steps below. Signed and notarized builds are on the roadmap and will simplify this further.

Download the portable EXE
Use the green download button above, or grab achu-x64-*.exe from GitHub Releases.
Bypass SmartScreen
Windows may say the app is unrecognized because builds are not yet Authenticode-signed. Click More info, then Run anyway.
Launch and paste a screenshot
achu opens as a portable app; no installer required. Press Ctrl+V to paste an image and start beautifying.

🛡 Windows protected your PC

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting.

App: achu-x64.exe

Publisher: Unknown

Don't run Run anyway

Download the DMG
Use the green download button above, or grab the universal .dmg from GitHub Releases. Open it and drag achu into Applications.
Dismiss the Gatekeeper alert
Gatekeeper may show "achu" Not Opened because the app is not yet notarized. Click Done, not Move to Trash.
Allow achu in System Settings
Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll to Security, and click Open Anyway next to the achu message. Authenticate, then open achu again and confirm Open.

Privacy & Security

Security

"achu" was blocked to protect your Mac.

Open Anyway

After authenticating, open achu again and click Open.

Download AppImage or .deb
Prefer .AppImage for a portable binary, or .deb on Debian/Ubuntu. Grab the matching arch from GitHub Releases.
2
Make it executable (AppImage)
In a terminal:
```
chmod +x achu-*.AppImage
./achu-*.AppImage
```
Or install the .deb
sudo dpkg -i achu_*_amd64.deb (or arm64). Then launch achu from your app menu.

$ terminal

$ chmod +x achu-x64.AppImage
$ ./achu-x64.AppImage
✓ achu ready; paste a screenshot

Signed Windows (Authenticode) and macOS (Developer ID + notarization) builds will replace these trust steps when ready. Until then, the steps above are the supported first-run path. Full README notes

Powerful Engine

Designed to Be Beautiful, Built to Be Secure

achu runs fully locally, ensuring your data never leaves your computer unless you explicitly ask it to.

Interactive Showcase

Gorgeous Screenshots Rendered Evenly

Take a look at how achu wraps, scans, redacts, and generates reports from raw images. Click any image to view details.

Honest comparison

How achu stacks up

Built for people who want beautiful, private, free screenshots - without a Mac-only tax or a subscription.

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Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about achu, install (SmartScreen / Gatekeeper), privacy, and the local screenshot gallery.

What is achu?

achu is a free, open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux that beautifies screenshots, stores them in a local gallery, redacts sensitive data on-device, extracts text via OCR, and can draft GitHub bug reports using AI.

Does achu upload screenshots to the cloud?

No. Beautification, gallery storage, privacy scanning, and OCR run locally on your machine. Cloud AI APIs are only contacted if you configure the Issue Agent with an external provider and approve the generated issue.

What is the screenshot gallery?

A built-in local library. Save beautified captures from the footer Gallery button, browse thumbnails, reopen images in the editor, and manage files on disk. Default folder is ~/achu-screenshots; choose any folder in Settings.

What happens when I delete a gallery image?

Deletes are soft-deletes. Files move to a .achu-trash subfolder inside your gallery directory and are automatically removed after 30 days.

Is achu free?

Yes. achu is free and open source under the MIT License. Download from GitHub Releases.

How does achu compare to CleanShot, Shottr, or Xnapper?

achu is free, open source, and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It focuses on beautify + privacy redact + Code Studio + AI GitHub issue drafts + platform burst packs. CleanShot and Shottr are stronger at capture extras like scrolling screenshots and recording (often Mac-only and paid). See the full matrix on the Compare section.

Does achu put a watermark on exports?

New installs default to a subtle "Made with achu · achu.app" badge so shared images can help others discover the app. Turn it off anytime in Extras or Settings; the preference is saved.

macOS says "Can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software"

achu is not yet code-signed or notarized with an Apple Developer ID. Recommended: open achu once, click Done (not Move to Trash), then go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, click Open Anyway, authenticate, and open achu again. Optional Terminal: xattr -cr /Applications/achu.app. Full walkthrough with visuals: Install in 30 seconds.

Windows SmartScreen says "Windows protected your PC"

Expected for unsigned portable EXEs. Click More info, then Run anyway. achu is MIT open source from GitHub; Authenticode signing is on the roadmap. See Install in 30 seconds.

How do I install achu quickly?

Use the OS tabs on the homepage Install section: download for your platform, clear the expected OS warning (SmartScreen / Gatekeeper), then paste a screenshot with Ctrl/⌘+V.

achu

Install in 30 seconds

Designed to Be Beautiful, Built to Be Secure

Gorgeous Screenshots Rendered Evenly

How achu stacks up

Frequently Asked Questions

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