From b6dfd14797dab04d819228d87eaae1c655f786fa Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Anthony Stirling <77850077+Frooodle@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:18:36 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 1/2] distrobution docs
---
docs/Installation/Mac.md | 58 ++++++++++++----------
docs/Installation/Unix.md | 48 ++++++++++++++----
docs/Installation/Windows.md | 95 +++++++++++++++++++++++-------------
docusaurus.config.js | 2 +-
4 files changed, 133 insertions(+), 70 deletions(-)
diff --git a/docs/Installation/Mac.md b/docs/Installation/Mac.md
index 8bffeff3..63323429 100644
--- a/docs/Installation/Mac.md
+++ b/docs/Installation/Mac.md
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ sidebar_position: 2
id: Mac Installation
title: Mac Installation Guide
---
+
+import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs';
+import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';
+
# MacOS Installation Guide for Stirling PDF
Stirling PDF for Mac is available as a **native desktop application** or can run as a **server** using the JAR file.
@@ -22,44 +26,46 @@ Native Mac desktop app with all PDF tools available.
- ✅ **No external browser needed** - Uses the built-in window
- ✅ **Menu bar integration** - Feels like a native Mac app
-### Installation Steps
+### Installation
-**1. Download the right version for your Mac:**
+Pick whichever method you prefer. Both install the same desktop app.
-| Chip Type | Download Link |
-|-----------|--------------|
-| **Apple Silicon** (M1/M2/M3) | [Download for Apple Silicon](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/mac-installer.dmg) |
-| **Intel** processors | [Download for Intel](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/mac-x86_64-installer.dmg) |
+
+
+ **1. Download the right version for your Mac:**
-**Not sure which chip you have?**
-- Click the Apple menu → "About This Mac"
-- Look at "Chip" or "Processor"
-- If it says "M1", "M2", or "M3" → Use Apple Silicon version
-- If it says "Intel" → Use Intel version
+ | Chip Type | Download Link |
+ |-----------|--------------|
+ | **Apple Silicon** (M1/M2/M3) | [Download for Apple Silicon](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/mac-installer.dmg) |
+ | **Intel** processors | [Download for Intel](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/mac-x86_64-installer.dmg) |
-**2. Install the application:**
+ Not sure which chip you have? Click the Apple menu → "About This Mac" and look at "Chip" or "Processor".
-1. Open the downloaded `.dmg` file
-2. Drag Stirling PDF to your Applications folder
+ **2. Install:** open the `.dmg` and drag Stirling PDF to your Applications folder.
-
+ 
-**3. First-time launch (Security):**
+ **3. First-time launch (Gatekeeper):** macOS blocks the app on first launch because it's not from the App Store.
-macOS will block the app on first launch because it's not from the App Store:
+ 
-
+ Open **System Settings → Privacy & Security**, scroll to the **Security** section, click **"Open Anyway"** next to the Stirling PDF message, then launch again.
-**To allow Stirling PDF:**
-1. Open **System Settings** → **Privacy & Security**
-2. Scroll down to the **Security** section
-3. Click **"Open Anyway"** next to the Stirling PDF message
-4. Enter your password if prompted
-5. Go back to Applications and launch Stirling PDF again
+ 
+
+
+ ```bash
+ brew tap Stirling-Tools/stirling-pdf
+ brew install --cask stirling-pdf
+ ```
-
+ Updates come through `brew upgrade`:
-The app will now open normally every time!
+ ```bash
+ brew upgrade --cask stirling-pdf
+ ```
+
+
### Using the Desktop App
diff --git a/docs/Installation/Unix.md b/docs/Installation/Unix.md
index 649a69b0..690eceab 100644
--- a/docs/Installation/Unix.md
+++ b/docs/Installation/Unix.md
@@ -28,19 +28,49 @@ Native Linux desktop app with all PDF tools available.
### Installation
-**1. Download:**
+Pick whichever package format matches your distribution.
-[Stirling-PDF Desktop Installer (DEB)](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/linux-installer.deb)
+
+
+ ```bash
+ wget https://files.stirlingpdf.com/linux-installer.deb
+ sudo dpkg -i linux-installer.deb
+ ```
-**2. Install the application:**
+ Launch via your application menu or `stirling-pdf` from the terminal.
+
+
+ ```bash
+ wget https://files.stirlingpdf.com/linux-installer.rpm
+ sudo dnf install ./linux-installer.rpm
+ ```
+
+
+ No install required - download, mark executable, run:
-```bash
-sudo dpkg -i linux-installer.deb
-```
+ ```bash
+ wget https://files.stirlingpdf.com/linux-installer.AppImage
+ chmod +x linux-installer.AppImage
+ ./linux-installer.AppImage
+ ```
-**3. Launch Stirling-PDF:**
-- Search for "Stirling-PDF" in your application menu, or
-- Run `stirling-pdf` from the terminal
+ If you see `fuse: device not found` on Ubuntu 22.04+, install FUSE:
+
+ ```bash
+ sudo apt-get install libfuse2
+ ```
+
+
+ Install via any AUR helper:
+
+ ```bash
+ paru -S stirling-pdf-desktop
+ # or: yay -S stirling-pdf-desktop
+ ```
+
+ Package: [stirling-pdf-desktop](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/stirling-pdf-desktop).
+
+
### Connecting to a server
diff --git a/docs/Installation/Windows.md b/docs/Installation/Windows.md
index 56064828..d3fe60fe 100644
--- a/docs/Installation/Windows.md
+++ b/docs/Installation/Windows.md
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ sidebar_position: 2
id: Windows Installation
title: Windows Guide
---
+
+import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs';
+import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';
+
# Windows Installation Guide for Stirling PDF
Stirling PDF for Windows comes in two versions: a **Desktop Application** for personal use and a **Server Version** for hosting and sharing with others.
@@ -23,13 +27,38 @@ Stirling PDF for Windows comes in two versions: a **Desktop Application** for pe
- ✅ **Better performance** - Optimized for Windows
- ✅ **No browser needed** - Standalone application
-### Quick Installation
+### Installation
+
+Pick whichever method you prefer. All three install the same desktop app.
+
+
+
+ 1. Download: [Stirling PDF Desktop Installer](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/win-installer.exe)
+ 2. Run the installer and follow the prompts (installs to `C:\Program Files\Stirling-PDF`)
+ 3. Launch from the Start Menu - search for "Stirling PDF"
+
+ For unattended deployments with a pre-configured server URL, see [Automated Installation](#automated-installation) below.
+
+
+ ```powershell
+ winget install StirlingTools.StirlingPDF
+ ```
+
+ For unattended deployments with a pre-configured server URL, see [Automated Installation](#automated-installation) below.
+
+
+ ```powershell
+ scoop bucket add stirling-pdf https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/homebrew-stirling-pdf
+ scoop install stirling-pdf/stirling-pdf
+ ```
+
+ Updates come through automatically on new releases:
-1. **Download**: [Stirling PDF Desktop Installer](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/win-installer.exe)
-2. **Run the installer** - Follow the prompts (installs to `C:\Program Files\Stirling-PDF`)
-3. **Launch from Start Menu** - Search for "Stirling PDF"
-4. **Start working with PDFs!**
-5. **Optionally connect a server** - For advanced tools, see [Connecting to a server](#connecting-to-a-server) below
+ ```powershell
+ scoop update stirling-pdf
+ ```
+
+
### Connecting to a server
@@ -67,36 +96,38 @@ The desktop app works fully offline for local PDF tools like merging, splitting,
- Unlimited file storage (not limited by browser)
- System tray icon for quick access
-### Automated Installation (MSI Installer)
+### Automated Installation
-The Windows desktop MSI installer supports silent/headless installation with custom parameters, ideal for IT deployments, deployment scripts (SCCM, Intune, Group Policy), or enforcing connections to self-hosted servers.
+Silent/headless installation with custom parameters, ideal for IT deployments (SCCM, Intune, Group Policy) or enforcing connections to self-hosted servers. Works via either the MSI installer directly or `winget --custom`.
**Available Parameters:**
| Parameter | Description | Example Value |
|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| `STIRLING_SERVER_URL` | Pre-configure the server URL that the desktop app connects to | `http://192.168.1.53:2357/` |
-| `STIRLING_LOCK_CONNECTION` | Lock the connection mode to prevent users from changing server settings.
Set to `1` to enforce self-hosted server only, preventing accidental connections to external servers. | `1` (locked) or `0` (unlocked) |
-
-**Example Installation Command:**
-
-```batch
-msiexec /i "Stirling-PDF-windows-x86_64.msi" /qn STIRLING_SERVER_URL="http://192.168.1.53:2357" STIRLING_LOCK_CONNECTION=1
-```
-
-**Command Breakdown:**
-- `msiexec` - Windows Installer command-line tool (included with all Windows installations) for installing, modifying, and performing operations on MSI packages
-- `/i` - Install the MSI package
-- `/qn` - Run silently with no user interface (quiet mode, no UI)
-- `STIRLING_SERVER_URL` - Automatically sets the server URL on first launch
-- `STIRLING_LOCK_CONNECTION=1` - Locks the connection to the specified server (users cannot change it)
-
-**Additional Parameters:**
-
-| Parameter | Description | Example |
-|-----------|-------------|---------|
-| `INSTALLDIR` | Custom installation directory | `INSTALLDIR="C:\CustomPath\Stirling-PDF"` |
-| `ALLUSERS` | Install for all users (requires admin).
`1` = all users, `0` or omit = current user only | `ALLUSERS=1` |
+| `STIRLING_LOCK_CONNECTION` | Lock the connection mode so users cannot change the server. `1` = locked, `0` or omit = unlocked | `1` |
+| `INSTALLDIR` | Custom installation directory (MSI only) | `INSTALLDIR="C:\CustomPath\Stirling-PDF"` |
+| `ALLUSERS` | Install for all users (requires admin). `1` = all users, `0` or omit = current user | `ALLUSERS=1` |
+
+**Example:**
+
+
+
+ ```batch
+ msiexec /i "Stirling-PDF-windows-x86_64.msi" /qn STIRLING_SERVER_URL="http://192.168.1.53:2357" STIRLING_LOCK_CONNECTION=1
+ ```
+
+ `/i` installs, `/qn` runs silently with no UI. The MSI is available in the [releases](https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF/releases/latest).
+
+
+ ```powershell
+ winget install StirlingTools.StirlingPDF `
+ --custom "STIRLING_SERVER_URL=http://192.168.1.53:2357 STIRLING_LOCK_CONNECTION=1"
+ ```
+
+ `--custom` forwards parameters straight to the underlying MSI, so the same properties work.
+
+
**Technical Details:**
@@ -106,12 +137,8 @@ msiexec /i "Stirling-PDF-windows-x86_64.msi" /qn STIRLING_SERVER_URL="http://192
- Per-user install: `%APPDATA%\stirling.pdf.dev\stirling-provisioning.json`
- All-users install: `%PROGRAMDATA%\Stirling-PDF\stirling-provisioning.json`
- **URL Format**: Must include protocol (`http://` or `https://`), trailing slash is optional
-
-**Notes:**
-- The MSI installer is available in the [releases](https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF/releases/latest)
- When `STIRLING_LOCK_CONNECTION=1` is set, users cannot modify the server URL in the application settings
-- For unattended installations without parameters, omit the custom properties
-- System-wide provisioning files (`%PROGRAMDATA%`) are not deleted after being applied, allowing reinstallation with same settings
+- System-wide provisioning files (`%PROGRAMDATA%`) are not deleted after being applied, allowing reinstallation with the same settings
## Server Version (For Hosting and Sharing)
diff --git a/docusaurus.config.js b/docusaurus.config.js
index fec765be..1e9a4f02 100644
--- a/docusaurus.config.js
+++ b/docusaurus.config.js
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ const config = {
lastVersion: 'current',
versions: {
current: {
- label: '2.0 (Current)',
+ label: '2+ (Current)',
banner: 'none',
badge: false,
},
From ec943a288a456e8e287897c1655254d3e1806ad6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Anthony Stirling <77850077+Frooodle@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:21:57 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 2/2] distrobution docs
---
docs/Installation/Mac.md | 2 +-
docs/Installation/Unix.md | 2 +-
docs/Installation/Windows.md | 4 ++--
3 files changed, 4 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)
diff --git a/docs/Installation/Mac.md b/docs/Installation/Mac.md
index 63323429..363a0057 100644
--- a/docs/Installation/Mac.md
+++ b/docs/Installation/Mac.md
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Native Mac desktop app with all PDF tools available.
Pick whichever method you prefer. Both install the same desktop app.
-
+
**1. Download the right version for your Mac:**
diff --git a/docs/Installation/Unix.md b/docs/Installation/Unix.md
index 690eceab..ec67fccc 100644
--- a/docs/Installation/Unix.md
+++ b/docs/Installation/Unix.md
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Native Linux desktop app with all PDF tools available.
Pick whichever package format matches your distribution.
-
+
```bash
wget https://files.stirlingpdf.com/linux-installer.deb
diff --git a/docs/Installation/Windows.md b/docs/Installation/Windows.md
index d3fe60fe..aa3e0f0e 100644
--- a/docs/Installation/Windows.md
+++ b/docs/Installation/Windows.md
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ Stirling PDF for Windows comes in two versions: a **Desktop Application** for pe
Pick whichever method you prefer. All three install the same desktop app.
-
+
1. Download: [Stirling PDF Desktop Installer](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/win-installer.exe)
2. Run the installer and follow the prompts (installs to `C:\Program Files\Stirling-PDF`)
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ Silent/headless installation with custom parameters, ideal for IT deployments (S
**Example:**
-
+
```batch
msiexec /i "Stirling-PDF-windows-x86_64.msi" /qn STIRLING_SERVER_URL="http://192.168.1.53:2357" STIRLING_LOCK_CONNECTION=1