HouseLearning for Mac is the desktop app version of the HouseLearning learning platform, designed for students, families, and teachers using a focused, kid-friendly Mac-first experience.
- Math lessons and practice activities
- Science exploration and concept-based learning
- Coding and logic challenges
- SafeAI educational support for age-appropriate guidance
- Teacher dashboard and classroom tools
- Clean desktop app experience with a familiar HouseLearning visual style
- Website page: https://www.houselearning.org/home/houselearning-for-mac.html
- GitHub Releases: https://github.com/houselearning/macos-edition/releases
- Latest release asset convention: https://github.com/houselearning/macos-edition/releases/latest/download/HouseLearning-macOS-universal-v1.0.0.zip
- Signed DMG release example: HouseLearning-macOS-universal-v1.0.0.dmg
Use a consistent asset naming pattern for public GitHub releases:
- ZIP: HouseLearning-macOS-universal-vX.Y.Z.zip
- DMG: HouseLearning-macOS-universal-vX.Y.Z.dmg
This keeps the downloads clear, easy to track, and compatible with automatic update checks.
- Build the app in Xcode in Release mode.
- Archive the HouseLearning target with a universal Intel + Apple Silicon build.
- Sign the app with an Apple Developer certificate.
- Submit the app to Apple notarization.
- Export a signed DMG and ZIP for the release.
- Upload both artifacts to the latest GitHub Release.
- Update the website page to point to the newest release asset.
- Use an Apple Developer certificate to sign the app bundle.
- Run notarization using
xcrun notarytoolor Xcode Organizer after signing. - Publish a signed DMG for the easiest install experience for daily users.
- Keep a ZIP artifact available for direct download, quick testing, and update checks.
- Include release notes in the GitHub release description and call out the version clearly.
- The DMG should be named like:
HouseLearning-macOS-universal-v1.0.0.dmg - The ZIP should be named like:
HouseLearning-macOS-universal-v1.0.0.zip
The Mac app checks the GitHub Releases API for the latest published version and compares it to the installed app version. If a newer release is available, it prompts the user to open the latest release page or download the updated package.
Open the Xcode project in Xcode 14+ and build the HouseLearning target.
This project is intended to be the official public beta Mac edition of HouseLearning and keeps the same educational mission as the website: safe, engaging, and accessible learning tools for kids and students.