Does PurrType require an internet connection?

No. All candidate lookup, ranking, and learning happen on your Mac without cloud services or network access.

How do I enable or disable New Sucheng learning?

Open Preferences, select New Sucheng mode, and toggle local learning, associated candidates, and phrase suggestions. Learning is off by default.

What data does PurrType store?

Quick phrases are saved in a local JSON file. New Sucheng learning stores only salted hashes and scores, not readable phrases. Session-only learning clears on engine restart.

How do I update PurrType?

Download the new DMG, double-click Install PurrType.pkg, and install directly. No need to uninstall the old version first.

Which macOS versions does PurrType support?

Designed for macOS; see the GitHub repository for specific version requirements. Installation may require administrator password.

PurrType

PurrType is an open-source macOS input method supporting Sucheng, Cangjie, Pinyin, and English mixed input. All processing happens locally, protecting privacy with optional learning features for users who value typing stability and data security.

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Summary

PurrType is a local-first open-source Traditional Chinese input method for macOS, supporting Sucheng, Cangjie, Pinyin, and English mixed input with all core processing on-device.

What is PurrType?

PurrType is a Traditional Chinese input method designed for macOS, offering four input modes: traditional Sucheng (stable candidate positions), New Sucheng (optional local learning), Cangjie, and Pinyin. It automatically recognizes URLs, emails, file paths, and code snippets, preserving original text without forced conversion. English spelling suggestions use macOS native spell checker without uploading text. Quick phrases support ;-prefixed shortcuts for common text. Released under MIT License, integrating open-source resources and open data.

Core Capabilities

Four input modes: Traditional Sucheng, New Sucheng, Cangjie, Pinyin in single input source
Local processing: Candidate lookup, ranking, learning, and associated candidates all on-device
Smart English mixing: Auto-preserves URLs, emails, paths, code tokens, and long English words
Quick phrases: ;-prefixed shortcuts for frequent text (e.g., ;email)
Privacy protection: New Sucheng learning off by default, stores only salted hashes, clearable data
Adjustable settings: Preferences for modes, shortcuts, candidate count, privacy controls, and learning reset

Pros

Stable muscle memory: Traditional Sucheng maintains fixed candidate positions for consistent typing habits
Fully local: No cloud dependency; candidates and learning data stay on Mac
Open-source transparency: MIT License, integrates open resources, source code available
Flexible learning: New Sucheng offers optional local learning, associated candidates, and phrase suggestions
Privacy-first: Rejects learning sensitive data; Privacy Lock pauses learning instantly

Positioning & best fit

PurrType is built for macOS users who prioritize typing stability, privacy protection, and local processing, ideal for individuals and teams needing Traditional Chinese input without cloud reliance.

Traditional Chinese users: Require Sucheng, Cangjie, or Pinyin input with Traditional Chinese output
Developers and technical users: Frequently input code, URLs, paths; need smart English mixing
Privacy-conscious users: Demand on-device processing without uploading input or learning records
Traditional Sucheng typists: Prefer fixed candidate positions to preserve typing muscle memory