🧿 Darkelf Cocoa Browser

Native macOS browsing. Privacy by design.

Darkelf Cocoa is a privacy-focused browser powered by Python, PyObjC, and Apple WebKit. It pairs ephemeral browsing with fingerprinting defenses, native content blocking, local MiniAI Sentinel monitoring, and a customizable Cocoa interface.

Current release: v7.1.5 · macOS · DMG distribution

✨ What's New in 7.1.5

• Native Darkelf Cocoa application menu: About, License & Attribution, PyPI, and GitHub links open in Darkelf tabs, alongside standard Hide, Hide Others, and Quit actions.
• Menu hover-state fix (verified in v7.1.5 DMG): Moving between application-menu rows clears previous highlights, leaving only the hovered row in the selected accent color.
• Link destination preview: Hover over a webpage link to see its URL in a compact, bottom-left, accent-bordered overlay; the preview hides when the pointer leaves.
• Expanded shortcut reference: The in-app Keyboard Shortcuts menu now includes ⌘H (Hide Darkelf Cocoa), ⌥⌘H (Hide Others), and ⌘Q (Quit).
• Site-based adblocking modes (Content Rules v15.28): DW uses a compatibility-first TRUSTED profile; CNN and GameSpot use PROTECTED profiles with network blocking and existing cosmetic cleanup; other sites use STANDARD blocking. TRUSTED mode relaxes protection on DW to improve compatibility.
• CNN and GameSpot layout improvements: Developer testing found the large black ad boxes removed; some empty ad containers or reserved whitespace still remain. DW loaded in the same test configuration.
• 7.1.2 compatibility improvements retained: ESPN, NBA, and NHL video playback was confirmed in developer testing; Adblock Tester scored 100/100 in that tested configuration. Results are not universal guarantees.

🛡️ Privacy Features

• Ephemeral WebKit browsing and privacy-oriented session controls
• Canvas and WebGL fingerprinting defenses
• WebRTC restrictions and permission controls
• Native WebKit ad/tracker filtering, EasyList network rules, site-based TRUSTED / PROTECTED / STANDARD compatibility profiles, and conservative cosmetic cleanup
• Local MiniAI Sentinel for privacy-relevant activity monitoring

Privacy protections are best-effort; no browser can guarantee anonymity or block every tracker.

🪟 Native macOS Experience

Tabs, bookmarks, integrated address/search bar, keyboard shortcuts, customizable accent colors, Darkelf Home backgrounds, fullscreen support, native window arrangement controls, an accent-aware macOS application menu, and an unobtrusive link destination preview.

📦 Install

1. Visit Darkelf Cocoa GitHub Releases.
2. Select v7.1.5 and download its macOS DMG.
3. Open the DMG, drag Darkelf Cocoa to Applications, and launch.

The signed and notarized distribution build should be verified before publication.

⌨️ Useful Shortcuts

🧪 Compatibility

Earlier developer testing confirmed ESPN, NBA, and NHL video playback, alongside a 100/100 Adblock Tester result in an earlier tested configuration. In the current v15.28 content-rule test, DW, CNN, and GameSpot loaded; CNN and GameSpot no longer displayed the large black ad boxes, although some empty ad containers remained. TRUSTED mode on DW prioritizes compatibility over full ad/tracker blocking. These observations are not guarantees for all websites or release builds; report reproducible issues with URLs and logs.

📜 License

LGPL-3.0-or-later · See repository license and third-party notices.

© 2025–2026 Darkelf Labs / Dr. Kevin Moore.