macOS Native Guide →
Separate Apple Silicon and Intel builds with window-sharing-type capture exclusion and configurable shortcuts.
Cross-Platform Engineering
Mac vs. Windows AI Interview Practice: Full Breakdown
Compare the operating system capture exclusion controls, builds, shortcut defaults, and Remote Pad support across macOS and Windows 10/11.
Side-by-Side
Platform Capability Matrix
What each native build does; nothing here is a benchmark.
| Feature / Capability | macOS (Apple Silicon & Intel) | Windows 10 & 11 (x64) |
|---|---|---|
| Capture Exclusion Mechanism | Window sharing type set to none plus window-server capture exclusion | SetWindowDisplayAffinity (WDA_EXCLUDEFROMCAPTURE) on Windows 10 2004+ |
| Build | Separate Apple Silicon (ARM64) and Intel (x86_64) DMGs, Developer ID-signed and notarized | x64 NSIS installer, not yet code-signed |
| Runtime | Native Rust backend with a Swift capture helper | Native Rust backend |
| Default Shortcut Modifier | Cmd + Option + letter (configurable) | Ctrl + Alt + letter (configurable) |
| Remote Pad Phone Control | Supported via local QR device pairing | Supported via local QR device pairing |
| Guidance Delivery | Progressively streamed answer stages | Progressively streamed answer stages |
Platform Guides
Explore Dedicated OS Setup Guides
Learn more about native installation and permissions for your specific machine.
Windows 10/11 Guide →
Windows 10 (2004+) and Windows 11 x64 with SetWindowDisplayAffinity capture exclusion and type-through input.
Platform FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions on Mac and Windows Builds
How the two native builds differ and what they share.
Does ClawPad perform equally well on macOS and Windows?
ClawPad is compiled into native binaries for both macOS (separate Apple Silicon and Intel DMGs) and Windows 10/11 (x64 installer), with the same streamed guidance and OS-level capture exclusion on each. No benchmark figures are published; run the Prepare for interview check on your own machine.
How do screen-share exclusion mechanisms differ between Mac and Windows?
On macOS, ClawPad sets the overlay's window sharing type to none and applies window-server capture exclusion. On Windows, it sets the WDA_EXCLUDEFROMCAPTURE display affinity flag so the Desktop Window Manager leaves the overlay out of capture. Both depend on the sharing tool honoring the OS control.
Cross-platform interview practice
Download ClawPad