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FAQ — free Mac menu bar monitor

Common questions about rNitro: free open-source macOS system monitor (CPU, temperature, battery, GPU, RAM). No account required.

What is rNitro?

rNitro is a free, open-source menu bar system monitor for macOS (Apple Silicon first). Live CPU, temperature, GPU, RAM, battery, network, and more—without a subscription or account.

Is it free and open source?

Yes. Download and use for free. The shell installer compiles readable source on your Mac; releases and source links live on GitHub and chopstickshq.com/rnitro.

How do I install on Mac?

From the downloads page: App ZIP (drag to Applications), PKG, DMG, or the curl one-liner that compiles with Xcode Command Line Tools (~30s). Prefer the Terminal install if Gatekeeper blocks prebuilt packages.

Why does macOS say it can’t be opened?

Indie apps may lack Apple notarization. Don’t trash the app. Right-click → Open → Open, or System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway. Or use the .sh installer so the binary is built on your machine.

Accounts, telemetry, privacy?

No accounts, no product telemetry, no ads. Optional AI features use your API keys on-device. See Privacy and Terms.

Stable vs Beta vs Experimental?

Stable — daily driver. Beta — power-user tools and broader AI. Experimental — playground; can change quickly. Use Stable or Beta for everyday monitoring.

Intel Macs?

Apple Silicon is first-class. Intel installers remain available as best-effort; some sensors differ. Check the Intel section on the macOS downloads page.

Is rNitro a free iStat alternative?

People looking for a free open-source mac menu bar monitor or iStat-style glance often try rNitro. It is not affiliated with iStat Menus. Features differ; rNitro prioritizes free, local-first monitoring without a subscription.

How do updates work?

macOS builds can check version.json and install an App ZIP in-app. You can always re-download from the site or GitHub Releases. Previous builds stay under Archives when listed.

Where is my data stored?

Preferences and optional local data stay on your Mac (UserDefaults / Application Support). Core monitoring does not require anything to leave the device.

Linux / Windows / CLI?

Companion builds exist: CLI, Linux, and a last Windows build. macOS is the primary product.

Chopsticks HQ · chopstickshq.com · Canonical product site: /rnitro/ · Privacy · Terms