Getting Started with Tap Zap

Step 1: Installation

1. Download the Tap Zap DMG
2. Open the DMG file
3. Drag TapZap2.app to your Applications folder
4. Double-click to launch

Step 2: Set Mac Brightness to 100%

This is the most important step. For Tap Zap to provide flicker-free dimming, your hardware backlight must be at maximum.

1. Open System Settings
2. Go to Displays
3. Drag the Brightness slider all the way to the right

              WHY 100% BRIGHTNESS?
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════

  At 100% hardware brightness:
  ████████████████████████████████████████████████
  • Backlight is ALWAYS ON
  • No PWM switching
  • Zero flicker

  Tap Zap then dims your screen via software:
  • Gamma tables reduce output
  • Same visual effect as dimming
  • But backlight stays constant!

Step 3: Meet the Interface

Click the bolt icon in your menu bar to open Tap Zap:

            TAP ZAP INTERFACE
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════

  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
  │  TAP ZAP                        ⚙️        │
  │  ● ON                                       │
  ├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
  │                                             │
  │   COLOR          │    BRIGHTNESS            │
  │   TEMPERATURE    │    (PWM FLICKER)         │
  │                  │                          │
  │      ──┬──       │       ──┬──              │
  │        │         │         │                │
  │        ▼         │         ▼                │
  │      [===]       │       [===]              │
  │        │         │         │                │
  │      ──┴──       │       ──┴──              │
  │                  │                          │
  │    3500K         │        75%               │
  │                  │                          │
  ├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
  │  SET MAC BRIGHTNESS TO 100%              │
  │                                             │
  │   [ DAY ]  [ EVENING ]  [ NIGHT ]           │
  │                                             │
  │            [  ZAP  ]                      │
  └─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Two Sliders

• COLOR TEMPERATURE: Drag up for warmer (more orange/red), drag down for cooler. The display shows approximate Kelvin.
• BRIGHTNESS: Drag up for brighter, drag down for dimmer. This uses gamma dimming, not PWM!

Step 4: Use the Presets

Tap Zap includes three optimized presets:

Step 5: Enable Launch at Login

1. Click the ⚙️ gear icon in Tap Zap
2. Toggle "Launch at Login" ON
3. Tap Zap will now start automatically when your Mac boots

Pro Tips

Quick Toggle

Left-click the menu bar icon to open settings. The big "ZAP" button toggles the filter on/off instantly.

Right-Click to Quit

Right-click the icon for a quick-quit option.

Multi-Monitor Support

Tap Zap automatically applies to all connected displays. If you connect a new monitor, it will be included.

Settings Persist

Your slider positions are remembered between sessions. However, Tap Zap always starts with the filter OFF—tap ZAP to re-enable.

Recommended Workflow

            DAILY TAP ZAP ROUTINE
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════

  🌅 MORNING (8 AM)
  └─ Set Mac brightness: 100%
  └─ Tap Zap: DAY preset or filter OFF
  └─ Maximum clarity for work
  
  🌆 EVENING (6 PM)
  └─ Tap Zap: EVENING preset
  └─ Warm colors, slight dim
  └─ Reduce blue light exposure
  
  NIGHT (9 PM+)
  └─ Tap Zap: NIGHT preset
  └─ Deep warmth, comfortable dim
  └─ Prepare body for sleep
  
  😴 BED
  └─ Phone away, screen off
  └─ Good night!

Troubleshooting

Screen didn't change?

Make sure the filter is enabled (status says "ON" and the menu bar icon is red).

Yellow warning won't go away?

Set your Mac's hardware brightness to 100% (System Settings → Displays).

Colors look strange after restart?

Tap Zap restores original gamma on quit. If it crashed, open Tap Zap and toggle the filter on/off to reset.

Need to report a bug?

Click ⚙️ → "Copy Debug Log" and paste it when reporting issues.