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Help & frequently asked questions

Short answers to the things people ask most — getting started, common errors, and billing. Still stuck? Email support@spectersync.com.

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"Free tier limit reached (5/5)" — what it means

Specter's free tier allows 5 file syncs per calendar month. When you hit 5/5, the count resets on the 1st, or upgrade to Pro to remove the limit.

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"Specter can't be opened" on Mac — how to fix it

If macOS says Specter can't be opened, the app is notarized but Gatekeeper is being cautious. Right-click the app and choose Open once to launch it.

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Can I use my Specter license on more than one Mac?

A Specter Pro license activates on up to two Macs. To move it to a new machine, deactivate one first to free a slot, then activate on the new Mac.

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Do I get free updates with Specter Pro?

Yes — Specter Pro includes free updates forever, delivered through the app's built-in auto-update. Buy once and every future version is included.

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Ghost connection failed or invalid API key — fix it

If Specter says the Ghost connection failed or the API key is invalid, check the API URL, the id:secret key format, and that it's the Admin not Content key.

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How do I get a refund for Specter Pro?

Specter Pro comes with a 14-day, no-questions-asked refund. Email support@spectersync.com from your purchase address within 14 days to request one.

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How to uninstall Specter from your Mac

To uninstall Specter, quit it from the menu bar, move the app to the Trash, and optionally delete its config and state files. Your posts stay on disk.

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Is my Ghost content private with Specter?

Specter is local-first: your posts sync directly between your Mac and your Ghost blog, with no middleman server. Here's how your content stays private.

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Renaming a file created a duplicate Ghost post

Specter tracks posts by a ghost_id in each file's frontmatter, not by filename, so renaming is safe. A duplicate appears only if a file has no ghost_id.

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Specter free tier vs Pro: what counts as a sync?

Specter's free tier allows 5 file syncs per month; Pro removes the limit for a one-time $49. Here's what counts as a sync and when the counter resets.

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Specter notifications aren't showing on macOS

If Specter's sync notifications aren't appearing, enable them in System Settings → Notifications. macOS controls notification permission per app.

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Specter sync isn't running or the daemon stopped

If Specter's sync stops running or the daemon stops, restart it from the menu bar and check the log at ~/Library/Logs/ghost-sync.log for the cause.

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Specter system requirements: macOS and Ghost versions

Specter's system requirements: macOS 14 Sonoma or later, an Apple Silicon Mac, and a Ghost 5.x+ blog with an Admin API key. Here's the detail.

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What does Specter do, and what does it sync?

Specter does two-way sync between Ghost and local markdown. It syncs posts — body, title, tags, status, feature image URL, and excerpt — and nothing else.

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Where are Specter's config, state, and log files?

Specter keeps its config at ~/.config/ghost-sync/config.json, its sync state under ~/.local/state/ghost-sync/, and logs at ~/Library/Logs/ghost-sync.log.