macOS Permissions Guide for Hydra

This guide explains the permissions that Hydra requires and how to grant them on macOS. Each permission has a specific purpose and can be managed through System Settings.

Overview

Hydra requests three main permissions on macOS:

• Download Folder Access (Required)
• Full Disk Access (Optional)
• Login Item (Recommended for auto-startup)

---

1. Download Folder Access ✅

What it does

Allows Hydra to read from and write to your Downloads folder without prompting you for each operation. This is essential for downloading and managing files.

Why it's needed

• Hydra needs to save downloaded files to your Downloads folder
• Without this permission, you'll be prompted repeatedly when the app tries to access your Downloads

How to grant it

Method 1: Automatic (First Launch)

1. Launch Hydra for the first time
2. When prompted by macOS, click "OK" to allow access
3. The system will open System Settings → Files & Folders
4. Grant permission if not already granted

Method 2: Manual via System Settings

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS)
2. Navigate to Privacy & Security → Files & Folders
3. Look for Hydra in the list
4. Ensure the checkbox next to "Download Folder" is checked ✓
5. If Hydra is not in the list, click the + button and select Hydra from Applications

Method 3: Manual via Permissions Dialog (Hydra)

1. Open Hydra
2. Click the Help menu
3. Select Permissions
4. Click "Open Files & Folders settings"
5. Ensure Hydra has access to your Downloads folder

Status indicator

• 🟢 Green: Permission verified and active
• 🔴 Red: Permission denied or not granted

---

2. Full Disk Access (Optional) ⚠️

What it does

Allows Hydra to read and write files anywhere on your Mac, not just the Downloads folder. This is optional for normal use.

When you need it

• Saving files to custom locations without per-folder prompts
• Organizing downloads into any folder on your Mac
• Automation workflows that access system directories

Why it's optional

• Hydra works fine without it for standard downloading
• macOS will prompt you each time you try to save to a new location
• Grant this only if you frequently save to non-standard locations

How to grant it

Step 1: Open System Settings

1. Click the Apple menu (⌘) in the top-left corner
2. Select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS)

Step 2: Navigate to Privacy & Security

1. Click Privacy & Security in the left sidebar
2. Scroll down and find Full Disk Access

Step 3: Add Hydra to the list

1. Click the 🔒 lock icon at the bottom-left (if locked)
2. Enter your Mac password to unlock settings
3. Click the + button
4. Navigate to Applications folder
5. Find and select Hydra.app
6. Click Open

Step 4: Verify

• Hydra should now appear in the Full Disk Access list
• 🟢 Green checkmark indicates active access

Status indicator

• 🟢 Green: Full disk access granted
• 🔴 Red: Full disk access denied (this is normal if you don't need it)

---

3. Login Item

What it does

Automatically launches Hydra when you log in to your Mac. The app will start in the background without taking focus.

Why you might want it

• Automatically start downloads on login
• Always have Hydra running without manual launch
• Useful for continuous file management tasks

How to enable it

Method 1: System Settings

1. Open System Settings
2. Navigate to General → Login Items
3. Scroll down to Allow in the Login Window section
4. Click the + button
5. Select Hydra.app from the Applications folder
6. Click Add

Method 2: Via Hydra Permissions Dialog

1. Open Hydra
2. Click the Help menu
3. Select Permissions
4. Click "Open Login Items settings"
5. Add Hydra to the login items if not already present

Status indicator

• 🟢 Green: Login item registered and active
• ⚪ Gray: Not configured yet

To disable

1. Go to System Settings → General → Login Items
2. Find Hydra in the list
3. Click the − (minus) button to remove it

---

Troubleshooting

Permissions keep resetting

• Problem: Permission status shows red even after granting
• Solution:
  1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security
  2. Uncheck Hydra from the permission
  3. Click the 🔒 lock to make changes
  4. Re-add Hydra to the permission list
  5. Restart Hydra

Hydra doesn't appear in permissions list

• Problem: Can't find Hydra when adding permissions
• Solution:
  1. Make sure Hydra is installed in the standard Applications folder
  2. Navigate manually: Macintosh HD → Applications → Hydra.app
  3. If still missing, reinstall Hydra

Can't open Files & Folders settings

• Problem: Button click does nothing
• Solution:
  1. Open System Settings manually
  2. Go to Privacy & Security → Files & Folders
  3. Look for Hydra in the list
  4. Grant the necessary permissions

Full Disk Access not working after adding Hydra

• Problem: Still getting permission prompts
• Solution:
  1. Restart your Mac (sometimes required for permissions to take effect)
  2. Restart Hydra
  3. Try the operation again

---

macOS Versions

Permission management is consistent across modern macOS versions (Big Sur and later):

• macOS Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia: Follow the "System Settings" instructions above
• macOS Monterey, Big Sur: Similar process, but called "System Preferences"

If unsure of your macOS version:

1. Click the Apple menu (⌘)
2. Select About This Mac
3. Note the version number

---

Security Notes

• ✅ These permissions are standard for download managers and file utilities
• ✅ Permissions can be revoked at any time through System Settings
• ✅ Hydra will prompt you gracefully if a needed permission is missing
• 🔒 You remain in full control—macOS doesn't grant blanket access without your explicit approval