What's New

May 14, 2026 v2.0.9

Full localization across 30 languages

• Every user-facing string in QuikGIF now translates into all 30 supported languages — menubar, Settings (General/Appearance/About), recording control panel, encoding progress, notifications, and accessibility labels. Previously around 50% of newer strings shipped English-only across non-English UIs
• Hotkey section, file-size picker, and tutorial slides now render in your selected locale
• 365 localized strings × 30 languages with token-validation to keep numbers and placeholders correct in every language

May 11, 2026 v2.0.8

AI Tool Integration in Settings

• New: AI Tool Integration panel in Settings → About detects installed AI clients (Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Desktop) and surfaces a per-client install path for QuikGIF's MCP server. Direct-download builds get one-click Register/Unregister; App Store builds copy a one-line quikgif mcp-install command (sandbox restrictions prevent writing to ~/.claude etc. from the MAS bundle)
• Refreshed App Store metadata across all locales for better discoverability
• Smaller polish fixes across the app and CLI

April 19, 2026 CLI v1.4.3

MCP fix for Claude Code & new plugin

• QuikGIF MCP server now starts cleanly for Free-tier users — no more "MCP disconnected" in Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or Claude Desktop. Per-tool Pro gates surface upgrade prompts inline as tool errors instead of hard-exiting
• New quikgif_status diagnostic tool that always works — returns CLI version, license tier, app detection, permissions, and install URLs
• New fallback-aware MCP shim: if the QuikGIF CLI is ever uninstalled, the shim still responds with install instructions instead of disconnecting silently
• New Claude Code plugin (claude-quikgif) that bundles the MCP, surfaces update notices on session start, and adds four lifecycle slash commands. Install: claude plugin marketplace add ringo380/robworks-claude-code-plugins
• quikgif update pre-flights sudo and fails fast with actionable guidance when run in non-interactive contexts (CI, scripts, AI tool sessions)

April 15, 2026 v2.0.0

QuikGIF Is Now Free

• QuikGIF is now free to download on the Mac App Store
• Pro upgrade ($4.99 one-time): WebP, APNG, MP4 export, 60 FPS, pause/resume, annotations, file size optimization, GIF history, and more
• Existing paid users automatically receive Pro at no extra cost
• Direct purchase option available at quikgif.com/pro with license key activation
• Legacy user migration: grace period and free key claim for early supporters

April 6, 2026 v1.9.0

Crash Reporting, Analytics & Auto-Update

• Optional crash reporting: MetricKit-powered crash diagnostics saved to a local log file (opt-in, never transmitted)
• Optional usage statistics: anonymous recording metrics saved locally to help improve the app (opt-in, never transmitted)
• Automatic updates via Sparkle for direct distribution builds (outside the App Store)
• SwiftLint integration with CI enforcement for consistent code quality
• Automated App Store screenshot generation from UI tests

April 4, 2026 v1.8.0

Encoding Cancellation & File Size Control

• Cancel encoding at any time: press the global hotkey or click the new Cancel button in the progress panel
• Configurable max file size: set a limit of 1, 2, 5, or 10 MB in Settings
• Auto quality reduction: when a GIF exceeds the size limit, QuikGIF automatically re-encodes with frame diffing and reduced frame rate
• Progress panel shows optimization pass status during file size reduction

March 27, 2026 v1.7.0

CLI Installer Improvements

• Fixed CLI tool and Homebrew detection using the correct login shell for PATH resolution
• Async detection prevents Settings UI from freezing during CLI status checks
• Update support: Settings now detects available CLI updates and offers a one-click upgrade
• Reactive Settings UI refreshes CLI installation status on every tab appearance

March 27, 2026 v1.6.0

Hotkey Feedback & Notifications

• Hotkey feedback: visual shake when pressing the hotkey before setup is complete
• Native macOS notifications confirm GIF capture, file saves, and errors
• Improved permission flow with neutral button text per App Store guidelines
• Crash safety, memory management, and encoding quality improvements

March 25, 2026 v1.5.0

Full-Screen & Window Capture

• Full-screen and window capture modes (region, full-screen, click-to-select window)
• Localization: 32 languages with complete coverage of all UI strings
• Accessibility: Reduce Motion, High Contrast, VoiceOver labels, keyboard shortcuts
• Encoding benchmark CLI command for performance testing
• Homebrew consent flow before installing
• Region recording in CLI and scripting engine
• Recording timer display on control panel
• Scripting engine hardening: strict mode, timeouts, --list-commands

March 18, 2026 v1.4.0

CLI Distribution

• One-click CLI install via Homebrew from Settings
• Homebrew auto-install if missing (with user consent)
• CLI install progress shown in modal
• Cloudflare Worker proxy for release downloads

March 18, 2026 v1.3.1

CLI Companion & Color Optimization

• CLI companion tool: brew install ringo380/tap/quikgif
• Scripting engine with .qgif DSL for automated recordings
• Adaptive color palette optimization (per-frame, global, auto)
• Scene-aware palette segmentation
• Cursor zoom mode for CLI recordings

March 10, 2026 v1.2.3

Settings & Polish

• Settings window with General, Appearance, and About tabs
• Native macOS notifications for GIF completion
• In-app feedback system
• Ready state: resize and move selection before recording
• Consistent screen dimming and cursor behavior

February 22, 2026 v1.0.0

Initial Release

• Menubar-native GIF screen recorder for macOS 14+
• Region selection with crosshair cursor
• Global hotkey (Cmd+Shift+6) to start recording
• Pause and resume during recording
• Copy to clipboard or save to file
• Adjustable frame rate (12/24/30/60 FPS)
• Loop count settings (infinite, once, three times)
• Permission onboarding with tutorial slides