desknook
Your web, without the tabs.
A native macOS web browser that turns any website into a dedicated desktop app. Browse, sign in, and authenticate — all within a full-featured WebKit browser engine.
A full web browser, built from the ground up
Desknook is powered by Apple’s WebKit engine (WKWebView), providing a complete browsing experience with full web standards support.
Full Web Browsing
Navigate to any URL. Each website opens in its own dedicated browser window with a URL bar, back/forward navigation, and reload controls.
HTTPS & Secure Connections
Full TLS/SSL support through WebKit. Handles HTTPS connections, certificate validation, and secure web protocols natively.
Sign-In & Authentication
Supports OAuth flows, Google sign-in, multi-factor authentication pop-ups, and session persistence across browser windows.
Cookies & Session Storage
Maintains cookies, local storage, and session data through WKWebsiteDataStore. Users stay signed in across sessions.
File Downloads
Download attachments, export files, and save documents. Handles all file types through WebKit’s native download management.
Pop-Up & Multi-Window Support
Handles pop-up windows for OAuth sign-in flows, new window requests, and multi-window web applications correctly.
JavaScript Engine
Full JavaScript and DOM support through WebKit’s engine. Runs complex web applications including Google Workspace, Notion, Figma, and more.
URL Scheme Handling
Registers as a handler for HTTP and HTTPS URL schemes. Supports deep linking via the dashboard:// custom URL scheme.
External Browser Handoff
Any page can be opened in the user’s default browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox) with a single click for full browser continuity.
Web authentication & passkey support
As a WebKit-based browser, Desknook needs to support the full range of modern web authentication standards that users encounter daily.
Why Desknook needs passkey & WebAuthn support
Desknook serves as users’ primary browser for web applications. Users sign in to Google, Microsoft, GitHub, and other services that increasingly require or encourage passkey-based authentication (FIDO2 / WebAuthn).
Without the Web Browser Public Key Credential entitlement, users are unable to complete passkey and biometric authentication flows within Desknook, forcing them to switch to another browser — breaking the core experience.
- Google Account sign-in with Touch ID / passkeys
- Microsoft / Azure AD passwordless authentication
- GitHub passkey sign-in and 2FA
- Any website implementing the WebAuthn standard
- FIDO2 security key support for enterprise users
- Biometric verification prompts during sensitive actions
Complete browser controls
Every browser window includes the navigation tools users expect.
URL address bar
A fully editable URL bar displaying the current page address. Users can type any URL to navigate directly to a website.
Back & forward navigation
Standard back and forward buttons with full browsing history support within each window.
Page reload
Reload the current page at any time. Handles both standard and cache-clearing refreshes.
Open in default browser
One-click handoff to Safari, Chrome, or whichever browser the user has set as default on their Mac.
Beyond browsing
Desknook extends the browser experience with native macOS integrations.
Any Website
Add any URL as a tile on the dashboard. Favicons are fetched automatically for quick visual identification.
Dedicated Windows
Each site opens in its own standalone browser window. No tabs to manage, no clutter.
35 Services Pre-Loaded
Gmail, Drive, Calendar, YouTube, and 30+ Google services come pre-configured and ready to browse.
Global Keyboard Shortcuts
Assign system-wide hotkeys to launch any site in its browser window instantly.
Menu Bar Access
Pin sites to the macOS menu bar for one-click browser window access from anywhere.
macOS Widgets
Place site-launch widgets on the desktop or Notification Center. Click to open a browser window directly.
Technical specifications
Built with Apple’s native frameworks for a secure, performant browsing experience.
Your web. Your desktop. Your way.
Download Desknook and browse any website in its own native Mac window.
Download on the Mac App Store