Petit Mates user guide
Start with installation if you are new to the app. If it is already running, jump to moving characters, adding and removing them, or troubleshooting. Visit the product website to meet the characters and see them in action.
Install the app
Download the file for your computer from GitHub Releases.
| System | Filename ending |
|---|---|
| macOS 13 or later, Apple Silicon | darwin-arm64.dmg |
| macOS 13 or later, Intel | darwin-x86_64.dmg |
| Windows 11, x86-64 | windows-x86_64.zip |
On Mac, open the DMG, drag Petit Mates.app to Applications, and launch it. On Windows, extract the ZIP and launch Petit Mates.exe. Keep the included Settings.exe in the same folder so that the settings window can open.
Characters appear when the app launches. The default configuration starts one Bearded Dragon, one Japanese Pond Turtle, and one Leopard Gecko. There is no main application window. Use the menu bar on Mac or the system tray on Windows.
Screen Recording permission is not required on Mac. Petit Mates uses window positions and sizes, rather than screen images, to determine where the characters can walk.
Open the menu
On Mac, click the Petit Mates menu bar icon. On Windows, right-click its system tray icon.
| Menu function | Action |
|---|---|
| Add a character | Choose the species you want to add |
| Remove Last | Removes the most recently added character |
| Settings… | Configure size, startup counts, speech, weather, and more |
| About Petit Mates | Shows version information |
| Quit | Closes the app and all its characters |
Menu labels follow the selected display language. The speech language setting also controls menu language.
Move a character
- Hold ⌘ on Mac or Ctrl on Windows.
- Drag a character while holding the key.
- Drop it onto the top or side edge of a window, the desktop floor, or another suitable spot.
The character resumes moving on its own from the new location. It does not move to a different window every time you bring one to the front. If its current window closes, it falls and lands on another surface.
Characters fade when the pointer is over them, allowing you to interact with what is behind them. Hold the modifier key when you want to pick one up. Character positions are not saved on exit; they are placed again at startup.
Add or remove characters
Use the menu's add items to add your preferred species. Remove Last targets the most recently added character.
Menu changes last only for the current session. To keep the same counts next time, change Characters in Settings. Startup counts range from 0 to 5 per species, with at least one character enabled overall.
Change settings
Choose Settings… from the menu and adjust the fields you need. On Mac, valid changes are saved automatically. On Windows, click OK or Apply to save.
After saving, close the settings window. Petit Mates restarts to apply your changes. Characters reappear, and their positions and startup counts are set again.
| What you want to adjust | Reference |
|---|---|
| Size, text, language, and frame rate | Display |
| Character counts at the next launch | Characters |
| Disable remarks or adjust their interval | Speech |
| Enable weather reactions | Weather |
Quit or update
Choose Quit from the menu bar or system tray menu. Removing a character is separate from quitting the app.
To update, quit the app before replacing it with the new download. On Mac, replace the app in Applications. On Windows, update the app and its included files in the extracted folder. Your settings are stored separately in user.toml.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| No window opens | This is a resident app without a main window. Check the menu bar or system tray |
| You cannot drag a character | Hold ⌘ on Mac or Ctrl on Windows |
| Positions change at startup | Positions are not saved; characters are placed again at each launch |
| Counts reset after restarting | Menu changes last only for the current session. Change Characters in Settings |
| Settings do not take effect | Save and close Settings. Restart manually after direct file edits |
| Settings will not open | Reinstall the download. On Windows, check that Settings.exe is in the same folder |
| A configuration warning appears | See file location and recovery |
| There are no weather remarks | Check the weather status, city name, and internet connection |
For individual values, see the settings reference. To add your own remarks, see customization.