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Mac setup

Reading your browser's address

The second thing Hubbub's setup asks for — macOS files it under Accessibility. It lets Hubbub read the address of the page in your browser, so it can spot a distracting site the moment you land on it. Nothing you type.

In macOS it's called
Accessibility
Where to find it
System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
Required?
Yes — Hubbub's focus features can't run without it.
Restart needed?
No. Hubbub notices within a couple of seconds.

What Hubbub uses it for

  • Reading the address of the page open in your browser, the moment you land on it.
  • Telling “the research doc” from “the feed” when both are in the same browser.

What it never does with it

  • Typing or clicking anything for you.
  • Reading your keystrokes, passwords, or anything you type into a form.
  • Reading the contents of your other apps.

Turning it on

Step 1: Click Open settings on Hubbub's Accessibility screen

It's the screen right after System Automation in Hubbub's setup.

Hubbub's Accessibility step: “Read your browser's URL”, a note reading “URL only — Hubbub can't type, click, or read keystrokes, passwords, or form data”, a picture of the Accessibility settings list with Hubbub highlighted, and an Open settings button.

Step 2: Click Open System Settings in the macOS box

macOS asks first. If you don't see this box, that's fine — Hubbub opens System Settings for you a couple of seconds later.

macOS dialog titled “Accessibility Access (Events)”: “Hubbub” would like to control this computer using accessibility features. Grant access to this application in Privacy & Security settings, located in System Settings. Buttons: Open System Settings, Deny.
Illustration of macOS — the wording and layout shift a little between macOS versions, and your list of apps will differ.

Step 3: Switch Hubbub on

System Settings opens to Privacy & Security → Accessibility. Find Hubbub in the list and turn its switch on. macOS asks for your Mac's password or Touch ID to confirm.

System Settings, Privacy & Security → Accessibility: “Allow the applications below to control your computer.” Hubbub's row is highlighted with its switch on. Other apps are drawn as blank placeholders.
Illustration of macOS — the wording and layout shift a little between macOS versions, and your list of apps will differ.

Step 4: Hubbub takes it from there

Within a second or two Hubbub sees the switch, closes System Settings and comes back to the front showing Access granted. Click Continue.

The same Accessibility step, now showing a green “Access granted” tick and a Continue button.

If you switch it off later

Hubbub notices straight away if it's running, or the next time it opens. Focus management switches off and the setup screen comes back on this step, with a note saying a required permission was turned off.

Questions people ask

The macOS box is still on screen after I switched Hubbub on. Should I click Deny?
No — clicking Deny there can undo the switch you just turned on. Click Open System Settings and close the window, or just leave the box; it doesn't affect anything.
Hubbub isn't in the list.
Click the + button under the list, choose Hubbub from your Applications folder, and switch it on. If you're running Hubbub from somewhere other than Applications, install it properly first — see the Mac install guide.
Hubbub is switched on, but Hubbub still says it's waiting.
Select Hubbub in the list and click − to remove it, then click + and add it again from Applications. This clears a stale entry macOS sometimes keeps after an app is reinstalled.
The switch is greyed out, or macOS won't let me change it.
Your Mac is probably managed by a school or employer, which can lock this setting. Ask whoever looks after the Mac to allow Accessibility for Hubbub (bundle ID com.77sparx.plannerai).
Accessibility sounds like a lot of access.
It is a broad permission in macOS's terms — the same one screen readers use. Hubbub uses it for one thing: reading the address of the browser tab in front of you. It never types, clicks, or reads what you type.

The other things Hubbub's setup asks your Mac for are on the Mac setup overview. Stuck, or something on screen doesn't match what's described here? Email support@77sparx.com and we'll walk you through it.