NightJar

FAQ

Installation guide and common questions

Installation guide

Get the installer for your system from the download page. Every public download is NightJar Lite, which is free forever for up to 3 apps.

macOS

One universal build runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.

  1. Download NightJar-Lite.zip and double-click it to unzip.
  2. Drag NightJar into your Applications folder.
  3. Open NightJar from Applications or Launchpad. Its controls also live in the menu bar.

If macOS says it can’t verify the app, open System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll to the message about NightJar and click Open Anyway. You only need to do this once.

Linux

The x64 AppImage is portable: there is no install step.

  1. Download the .AppImage file.
  2. Make it executable and run it:
chmod +x NightJar-Lite-*.AppImage
./NightJar-Lite-*.AppImage

You can also right-click the file, open Properties → Permissions and allow it to run as a program. If the AppImage won’t start on Ubuntu 22.04 or newer, install FUSE 2 (libfuse2t64 on Ubuntu 24.04):

sudo apt install libfuse2

The ports table uses lsof. Most distributions include it; if yours doesn’t, install the lsof package.

Windows

The x64 installer adds NightJar to the Start menu and the system tray.

  1. Download NightJar-Lite-Setup-*.exe and run it.
  2. Follow the installer, then open NightJar from the Start menu.

If Windows SmartScreen shows “Windows protected your PC”, click More info → Run anyway.

First run

  1. Add your project folders. You can pick one or select several at once.
  2. NightJar detects each stack and its runnable commands. Check them and adjust if needed.
  3. Start your apps, open split terminals, and follow status, logs and ports from one window.

NightJar keeps its configuration, logs and license cache in ~/.nightjar on macOS and Linux, or %USERPROFILE%\.nightjar on Windows.

Upgrading to Pro

  1. Buy Pro from the download page. It costs $7.77 once, down from $17.77. Save $10.
  2. After checkout, the success page shows the Pro installers. Polar also emails your receipt and license key.
  3. Install Pro the same way you installed Lite.
  4. Open Settings in NightJar and activate your license key.

Your apps and settings live in ~/.nightjar, so they carry over. Lost the installer? Sign in with the email you paid with and download it again from your account.

Uninstalling

To remove your configuration and logs too, delete ~/.nightjar (or %USERPROFILE%\.nightjar). If you use Pro, remove the key in Settings first so the activation is freed for another computer.

Frequently asked questions

What is NightJar?

A desktop app for macOS, Linux and Windows that organizes your local dev servers. It runs them in split terminals, shows status and logs, tracks every listening port, and stops whole process trees.

What’s the difference between Lite and Pro?

Lite is free forever for up to 3 apps and 4 themes, with every core workflow feature. Pro is a one-time $7.77 purchase, down from $17.77, that unlocks unlimited apps, workspaces, all 20 themes and Siri shortcuts on macOS.

Is Pro a subscription?

No. You pay once. Lite also has no trial period and no time limit.

Do I need an account?

Not for the app. An account on this site is optional: it shows the Pro keys bought with your email, which computers they’re activated on, and lets you download the Pro installers again.

Where do I find my license key?

In the email Polar sent after checkout, or on your account page after you sign in with the same email.

How do I move Pro to another computer?

Remove the key in Settings on the old computer (or in your Polar customer portal), then activate it on the new one. Your key can be active on as many computers as its activation limit allows.

What happens if I’m offline?

NightJar works offline. It re-checks your Pro key at most every 14 days, and a failed check never removes Pro. Only a key Polar reports as revoked or disabled does.

What happens to my apps if I go back to Lite?

They stay. You can still edit and run every app you configured; you just can’t add more than the Lite limit.

Does NightJar send my code or logs anywhere?

No. Your projects, commands, logs and environment variables stay on your computer. The app has no analytics or telemetry, and its control server listens only on 127.0.0.1. The Privacy Policy has the details.

Why did NightJar stop a process I didn’t start with it?

With “Free the port before starting” on (the default), NightJar ends a leftover non-system process holding the port your app needs. On macOS and Linux it also cleans up processes a crashed NightJar session left behind.

Can I get a refund?

Yes, within the refund window in our Terms. Ask through your Polar receipt or email [email protected].

My question isn’t here.

Email [email protected] and we’ll help.