Install Burette

Burette supports macOS 12 and later.

Homebrew

Install from the Burette tap:

brew tap SergeiNikolenko/burette
brew install --cask burette

Check the installed cask version:

brew info --cask SergeiNikolenko/burette/burette

GitHub Releases

You can also install manually:

1. Open the latest release .
2. Download the Burette-<version>.dmg or Burette-<version>.zip file.
3. Open the DMG or unzip the archive.
4. Move Burette.app to your Applications folder.
5. Open Burette once from Applications.

First launch

Open Burette.app once after installation. This gives macOS a chance to register the app bundle and Finder Quick Look extension.

Signing and notarization depend on the release build. If macOS blocks the downloaded app, first confirm it came from the official release page. Follow the first-launch instructions for that release; macOS may offer approval in System Settings → Privacy & Security. Do not disable Gatekeeper globally.

If Finder previews do not appear after install, open Burette’s command palette and run Reset Quick Look. Open Logs Folder and Export Diagnostics are available there as well.

Updates

For a Homebrew installation, run:

brew update
brew upgrade --cask burette

For a manual installation, replace the app with the version from the latest release. Keep your project files; an app update does not require deleting them.

Codex plugin and local MCP

The optional Codex integration lives in the same Burette repository  as the app. It bundles workflow skills with typed MCP tools for opening, observing, and controlling a local molecular workspace.

Install Git, Bun, and Codex first. Clone the repository and run the plugin installer:

git clone https://github.com/SergeiNikolenko/Burette.git
cd Burette
bun run install:plugin

Restart Codex after installation, then mention @Burette or select Burette from Plugins. See Codex Plugin and MCP for the tool surface, security boundaries, and source links.

Optional local calculation engines

The Burette application does not bundle xTB, CREST, or PRISM. Install only the engines needed for your local workflow:

pixi global install xtb
pixi global install crest
uv tool install prism_pruner

These commands require Pixi or uv to be installed first. For xTB, Settings can instead install a Burette-managed environment when Pixi or Conda is available. Check each executable, then use the matching runtime check in the desktop inspector. See xTB calculations and CREST and PRISM.