Step 6: Building
Create the actual app you can run anytime.
Where We Are
ColorDrop works great in development. Now let’s create a real app you can use daily.
Build the App
Build a release version of ColorDrop that I can run from my Applications folder.Claude will:
- Build the app in release mode (optimized)
- Create the .app bundle
- Tell you where to find it
Move to Applications
Once built:
# From Terminal, or just drag the .app to Applications in Finder
cp -r [path to built app] /Applications/Or ask Claude:
Move the built app to my Applications folder.Run It
- Open Applications folder
- Double-click ColorDrop
- It should appear in your menu bar
You made this. It’s real software running on your Mac.
Launch at Login (Optional)
If you want ColorDrop to start automatically:
Add the option to launch ColorDrop automatically when I log in.Or do it manually:
- System Settings → General → Login Items
- Add ColorDrop
Handle Gatekeeper
When you first run, macOS might block it (“unidentified developer”):
- Right-click the app → Open
- Click “Open” in the dialog
Or in System Settings → Privacy & Security, find the “Open Anyway” button.
This is normal for apps you build yourself without an Apple Developer account.
App Icon (Optional)
The default app icon is generic. If you want a custom one:
Create an app icon for ColorDrop.
Something that represents a color picker — maybe an eyedropper or color wheel.This is optional polish — the app works fine without it.
Checkpoint
By now you should have:
- Release build created
- App in Applications folder
- Launches and runs independently
- Works when you click the menu bar icon
You Did It
Stop and appreciate this:
You built a macOS app. A real one. It runs on your computer. You made it by describing what you wanted and iterating until it was right.
The same process works for:
- More complex utilities
- iOS apps
- Web applications
- Anything you can describe