Dropstone

Dropstone Setup Guide (Windows & macOS Silicon)

Step-by-step guide to install and configure Dropstone on Windows and Apple Silicon Macs

Overview

Dropstone is an AI-powered platform for code analysis, debugging & automation.
This guide will walk you through downloading, installing, and configuring Dropstone on Windows and Apple Silicon macOS.

Download Dropstone

System Requirements

ComponentWindows (Minimum / Recommended)macOS Silicon (Minimum / Recommended)
OSWindows 10 / Latest Windows 11macOS 12 Monterey / Latest macOS (Ventura, Sonoma)
CPUx64, Intel/AMDApple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) only
RAM8 GB / 16 GB+8 GB / 16 GB+
DiskSSD / Fast SSDSSD / NVMe
PermissionsInstall & read/write files (Admin recommended)Install apps, Full Disk Access recommended

Download & Installation

Windows Installation

Step 1: Get the Installer

  1. Open your browser and go to dropstone.io.
  2. Navigate to the Downloads.
  3. Select Windows and download the .exe file.
  4. Save the installer to an accessible location (e.g., Downloads folder).

Step 2: Install Dropstone

  1. Double-click the installer file.
  2. Accept the license agreement.
  3. Choose an installation directory (default is recommended).
  4. Click Install and wait for setup to complete.
  5. Launch Dropstone via Start Menu or Desktop shortcut.

macOS Silicon Installation

Prerequisites

Homebrew is required for this installation method.

If you don't have Homebrew installed, open Terminal and run:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

For Existing Users

If you already have Dropstone installed, upgrade to the latest version:

brew upgrade --cask dropstone

Installation Steps

1. Add Dropstone Tap
Add the official Dropstone repository to Homebrew:

brew tap blankline-org/dropstone

2. Install Dropstone
Install the Dropstone desktop application:

brew install --cask dropstone

3. Launch Dropstone
Open Dropstone from Launchpad, Applications folder, or Spotlight.

If macOS blocks the app (Gatekeeper), go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway.

Initial Configuration

  1. Run Dropstone — launch the app after installation.
  2. Login or Signup — create a new account or log in.
  3. Grant Permissions:
    • Windows: Allow access to project files (Admin recommended).
    • macOS Silicon: Grant Full Disk Access if prompted (System Settings → Privacy & Security).
  4. Add your project — point Dropstone to your codebase root directory.
  5. Ignore unnecessary folders — exclude node_modules, dist, build, or similar.

Using Dropstone

Setup Project

  • Define the project root folder.
  • Configure supported languages (if prompted).
  • Integrate with Git for version history and dependency tracking.

Run First Scan

  1. Start a full analysis so Dropstone can build its internal models.
  2. Wait until scanning finishes — large projects may take longer.

Best Practices

  • Exclude generated directories (node_modules, build, dist, target) to save scan time.
  • Keep Dropstone updated for new features and bug fixes (use brew upgrade --cask dropstone on macOS).
  • Always use version control before applying automated code changes.
  • On large codebases, monitor CPU & RAM usage during scans.

Troubleshooting

ProblemCauseSolution
Installer blocked (Windows)SmartScreen warningClick More Info → Run Anyway
Installer blocked (macOS)Gatekeeper "Unidentified developer"Right-click app → Open or allow via System Settings > Privacy & Security
Homebrew not found (macOS)Homebrew not installedInstall Homebrew first (see Prerequisites)
Brew tap fails (macOS)Network or repository issueCheck internet connection, retry command
Scan takes too longLarge unnecessary directoriesAdd ignore rules
File access deniedInsufficient permissionsRun as Administrator (Windows) / Grant Full Disk Access (macOS)
Unexpected errorsOutdated versionUpdate to the latest Dropstone release

This guide covers Windows and Apple Silicon Macs (command-line installation via Homebrew).