Windows¶

There are two ways to run Plate|Fold on Windows: the desktop app, from a signed installer or a portable ZIP, or the Python package run from a copy of the repository. The desktop app needs no Python, Node.js or separate browser. Recorded Windows tests cover installation, preview, export, cancellation, upgrade and uninstall.

Install the desktop app¶

The desktop app runs on 64-bit Windows on an x64 processor. There is no Windows on Arm build. The Windows desktop app page has the full details of each download and of the app itself.

Download and check it¶

Each release has three Windows downloads. Pick one:

Download the release's SHA256SUMS as well, put it beside your download, and in PowerShell run, with your file's name:

Get-FileHash .\PlateFold_1.0.3_x64-online-setup.exe -Algorithm SHA256

Compare the Hash value with the line for that file in SHA256SUMS; case doesn't matter. Verifying downloads also shows how to check the signature on SHA256SUMS itself.

The setup programs are signed. In File Explorer, open the setup file's Properties → Digital Signatures; the signer is Maxfield Allison, with a Microsoft timestamp.

Install and open it¶

1. Close PlateFold if an earlier version is running.
2. Run the setup program. It installs for your account only, into %LOCALAPPDATA%\PlateFold, and needs no administrator rights. It upgrades an existing installation in place, so you don't need to uninstall first.
3. Open PlateFold from the Start menu.

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen may warn about an unrecognized app even when it has a valid signature. Reputation and signature validity are separate checks. Confirm the download's hash and its Properties → Digital Signatures entry as described in Verifying downloads. Choose More info and check the publisher; proceed with Run anyway only after those checks pass and it shows Maxfield Allison. If the hash or signature fails, or the publisher is unknown or different, don't run the file.

For the ZIP, extract the whole folder and run platefold-desktop.exe inside it. Keep the executable and its runtime folder together.

Export something¶

Choose a source file or folder, keep or change the output folder, which starts as your Downloads folder, pick a theme, paper and font set, and select Export PDFs. Your first export walks through it with the sample document.

The app's command-line tool is runtime\platefold.exe in the installation or ZIP folder. The installer doesn't add it to your PATH:

& "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\PlateFold\runtime\platefold.exe" --version

Update¶

The app's Updates dialog is off until you allow checks. When allowed, it checks for a newer signed release when you ask, and then asks separately before it downloads and verifies the update, before it installs and before it restarts. Desktop update checks explains each step. You can also download and run the next release's setup program yourself; it upgrades in place.

The ZIP doesn't update itself. Check the new release's ZIP, close PlateFold and replace the folder's contents, keeping the old copy until the new one works.

Uninstall¶

Close PlateFold, then open Settings → Apps → Installed apps, find PlateFold and choose Uninstall. For the ZIP, delete its folder.

Uninstalling keeps your documents, exported PDFs, themes and diagram cache. The uninstaller's Delete the application data option removes only the app's update choices and its WebView2 data. To remove everything, also delete these folders:

The diagram cache lives in the same %LOCALAPPDATA%\PlateFold folder the installer uses, which is why that folder can remain after uninstalling.

Run from source¶

These steps run Plate|Fold from a copy of the repository in PowerShell. They give you the platefold command and the older Tk interface, platefold-gui, and need Python and an installed browser.

1. Install Python and a browser¶

Install Python 3.11 or newer from python.org. The standard installer includes Tk, which platefold-gui uses.

Windows 11 already has Microsoft Edge, and Plate|Fold tries it first among installed browsers. Chrome, Chromium and Brave also work.

2. Create an environment and install¶

From the repository folder:

python -m venv .venv
.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
python -m pip install -e .

If PowerShell refuses to run the activation script, allow local scripts for your user once with Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned, then activate again.

3. Check it runs¶

platefold --version
platefold --list-themes

The first command prints the version, for example Plate|Fold 1.0.3. The second lists the ten built-in themes and eight font sets.

Where Plate|Fold keeps things¶

Nothing is written beside the installed package, so reinstalling doesn't touch your themes. The desktop app and a source install share the themes and diagram cache folders.

Next: your first export.