> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://withbeckon.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Troubleshooting

> When something doesn't work the way it should.

## The shortcut does nothing

Another app probably uses the same keys. **Raycast**, **Alfred** and the **ChatGPT** app all use
⌥Space by default, and some other launchers and input-method switchers do too. When two apps want
the same shortcut, only one of them gets it.

Beckon warns you when it finds a likely clash: at the top of its menu bar menu, under the shortcut
in **Settings → General**, and in the welcome guide. It knows macOS's own shortcuts (such as
Spotlight on ⌘Space) and Raycast, Alfred and ChatGPT while they're running. It can't see every
app's shortcuts, so a clash can happen without a warning.

* Pick another shortcut for Beckon in **Settings → General → Open the ring** (or **Choose Another
  Shortcut…** in the menu bar menu), or change the other app's.
* Meanwhile, the middle mouse button and **menu bar icon → Show Ring** still open the ring.

Check Beckon is running: its icon (an open ring with a dot) should be in the menu bar. If not,
open it from Applications. To start it automatically, turn on **Settings → General → Open Beckon
at login**.

## I don't see my windows

* **Accessibility isn't allowed.** Reaching an app shows "Allow Accessibility to pick a window…".
  See [Permissions](/docs/guides/permissions).
* **The windows are on another Space or in full screen.** Only windows on the current Space are
  listed.
* **Window layout is set to Apps only.** Change it in **Settings → Windows → Show windows as**.
* **Pro has ended.** Windows are in Beckon Pro. See [Free and Pro](/docs/guides/pro).

## Thumbnails show icons instead

* Turn on **Settings → Windows → Window thumbnails**.
* Allow **Screen Recording**, then **quit and reopen Beckon**: macOS only applies it after a
  restart.
* If you recently denied macOS's "keep recording your screen?" prompt, allow Beckon again in
  System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording.
* A brand-new window shows its app icon until its first thumbnail is captured, a moment later.

## The middle click also clicks the app underneath

Beckon keeps the middle click from reaching other apps only with **Accessibility** allowed. It
picks the permission up a few seconds after you allow it. If you'd rather keep the middle button
for your apps, turn off **Settings → General → Middle-click opens the ring**.

## A permission is on, but Beckon acts as if it isn't

Remove Beckon from the list in System Settings and add it again, once. See
[Permissions](/docs/guides/permissions#if-a-permission-is-on-but-doesnt-work).

## The Dock came back

Beckon puts your Dock back whenever it isn't running, and when Pro ends, so you're never left
without one. If Beckon is running, check **Settings → Apps → Hide the macOS Dock** is on, and that
Pro is active (Settings → Licence).

## The Dock is still hidden after I deleted Beckon

Open Terminal and run:

```sh theme={null}
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool false; defaults delete com.apple.dock autohide-delay; killall Dock
```

If you used to have the Dock hide automatically, use `-bool true` instead.

## An app is missing from the ring

* With **Open apps only**, apps appear only while they're running.
* With **Beckon's pinned apps and open apps**, add it in **Settings → Apps → Pinned**, or
  right-click it on the ring while it's running and choose **Options → Keep on Ring**.
* With more than 24 apps, the last slot is **+n**: point at it to see the rest. Up to 43 apps
  fit in all (23 on the ring, 20 behind +n).

## The right-click menu is missing commands

Beckon reads an app's own "New …" commands from its menu bar, so they match the Dock's for most
apps but not every one, and in English only (other languages get the app's ⌘N command). The
Dock's recent documents and notification badges aren't available to other apps.

## Still stuck?

Write to [hello@withbeckon.app](mailto:hello@withbeckon.app) with your Mac's model, your macOS
version, and what you did and saw.


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