How to uninstall Pinokio on Mac

Before removing Pinokio, save and copy your downloaded scripts, models, generated files and local app environments to a separate backup, then open the copy. This guide covers the official Mac download.

The official Pinokio README places scripts under ~/pinokio/api and built-in package-manager binaries under ~/pinokio/bin by default. These are different from ~/.pinokio. Copy wanted scripts, generated files and models before removing either directory; preserve ~/pinokio while any installed app or environment is still needed. A customized Pinokio home needs its actual configured location checked.

Quit and remove the app

Finish current work and quit Pinokio. Check Activity Monitor for its process before removing the app in Finder. In Applications, move Pinokio.app to the Trash; if you keep it elsewhere, use its actual location. Keep the Trash until your backup has been checked. Official documentation

Review local data

The locations below come from the test record or the live cask; their individual treatment is explained below. Open them through Finder’s Go › Go to Folder. Copy wanted contents first; leave them if you want to keep settings or cannot establish ownership. They are optional data removal, not a prerequisite for removing the app.

• ~/.pinokio
• ~/Library/Application Support/Pinokio

Check the result

This read-only check searches full process command lines, not disk contents.

pgrep -ifl 'Pinokio'

No output with exit status 1 means no matching command line was found. A printed entry needs inspection in Activity Monitor because names can match unrelated processes. An error is not proof of removal. Also check that the app is absent from its original Finder location; a retained data folder or independent component does not mean the app is still installed.

What Mole lists

~/.pinokio and ~/Library/Application Support/Pinokio are review rows and are not selected by default. The exact hidden leaf does not extend to the separate ~/pinokio home. Do not assume uninstalling the app removes scripts, models, package-manager binaries or custom Pinokio homes.

These defaults assume “Remove data and settings with apps” is off. Opting in also selects eligible reviewed app data; shared stores and protected data retain individual review or stay locked.

What this test covered

The September 21, 2026 record covers the following test. The official app was only launched and quit, with no scripts or models installed. Its selected support folder was removed; the hidden .pinokio leaf was later added for review. The default pinokio home was not created during the test. Removing installed models, runtimes and scripts was not tested.