Your essential apps.
Downloaded in one click.
Downloads installer files for apps that aren't in the App Store or Microsoft Store. Resolves the latest stable release from trusted sources, tracks versions across runs, and tells you when updates are available. Files go to your Downloads folder — nothing is installed or executed.
Download only. Verify before installing. Your responsibility after download.
Download Only
This tool only downloads installer files to your Downloads folder. It does not install, open, modify, or execute any software. Verify the app name and developer before installing anything you've downloaded. Only download software you recognize and trust. See the full disclaimer for details.
What It's For
Apps like Chrome, VS Code, and Slack require downloading from vendor websites. This does it all at once.
System Reloads
Just wiped your system? Get all your essential app installers back in one command instead of visiting individual download pages.
Version Tracking
Tracks what you've downloaded. On each run, compares against the latest available version and tells you when updates are available.
Batch Downloads
Download everything at once with progress bars showing file sizes and transfer speeds. No clicking through download pages one by one.
How to Use
Four ways to run it — pick the one that fits your workflow.
Shell Script
Run directly from Terminal.
git clone https://github.com/DJCastle/toolBox.git
cd toolBox
# Download all apps
bash scripts/app-downloader/download-apps.sh
# Report only — no downloads
bash scripts/app-downloader/download-apps.sh --check
PowerShell Script
Run from PowerShell.
git clone https://github.com/DJCastle/toolBox.git
cd toolBox
# Download all apps
.\scripts\app-downloader\download-apps.ps1
# Report only — no downloads
.\scripts\app-downloader\download-apps.ps1 -Check
Apple Shortcut
Import into Shortcuts.app and run with one click.
Requires enabling "Allow Running Scripts" in Shortcuts > Settings > Advanced. Disable after use.
Power Automate Desktop
Import the PAD flow and run with one click.
pad-flows/app-downloader/Dev-Download-Apps.pad
Default Apps
Included out of the box. Edit the arrays in each script to customize.
Customize Your App List
macOS: Edit the CASK_TOKENS array. Find cask names at formulae.brew.sh/cask.
Windows: Edit the $Apps array with name, choco ID, URL, and filename. For GitHub-hosted apps, add Dynamic = $true to auto-resolve the latest release.
Features
Version Tracking
Saves downloaded versions to a .download-app-versions file. On re-run, compares against the latest version and shows: Update available: v1.2 → v1.3
Trusted Sources
macOS resolves URLs from Homebrew Cask (community-maintained, official URLs). Windows uses vendor download URLs sourced from Chocolatey package definitions.
Check Mode
Use --check or -Check to see what's downloaded, what has updates, and what's missing — without downloading anything.
Progress & Stats
Shows download progress, file sizes, transfer speeds, and elapsed time. Color-coded status for each app. Summary at the end.
Download Only
Files are saved to your Downloads folder. Nothing is installed, opened, or executed. You decide what to do with them.
Open Source
MIT licensed. Read every line of code. Fork it, customize the app list, share it. No data is collected.
Requirements
About
App Downloader is part of CodeCraftedApps Toolbox, a collection of open-source automation tools for macOS and Windows. It's a simpler alternative to the Non App Store Apps Download tool — no GUI, no search, just a preconfigured list of apps that downloads with one command. Perfect for scripted setups or as part of an automated provisioning workflow.
This is a download utility. It does not install, modify, or execute any software. Verify what you're downloading and only install software you trust.