Crossword for this computer
By Across Bind editorial team Current release, published November 29, 2022
Choose the crossword door that matches this computer. Windows prefers XWord-Windows.exe. macOS prefers XWord-macOS.zip. Linux follows the README source build because the current tag ships no Linux binary.
Confirm the OS and CPU before you download. Then prove one local puzzle. Machine tickets should record the filename beside the OS version so the next bump stays honest.
Windows desks
Take XWord-Windows.exe from GitHub Releases. Run it, then open a .puz. No winget id was found. Detail: install on Windows.
macOS desks
Take XWord-macOS.zip, extract, and open the app. No Homebrew cask was verified. Detail: install on macOS.
Linux desks
Plan a wxWidgets plus premake5 build from the README. Treat runtime behaviour as UNVERIFIED here. Detail: install on Linux.
Already have Across Lite
Keep Across Lite while you prove XWord. Open the same .puz files in both if needed. Switch notes: switch from Across Lite. Comparison: vs Across Lite.
Already use browser boards
Browser crossword tabs still work when install rights are missing. When you can install, prefer Releases and keep the browser as a fallback. Guide: switch from browser crossword.
Shared and lab machines
Pin one door per OS image. After reimage, prove one crossword open before workshops. Safe habits: download safe. First hour: installed.
What to write on the ticket
- OS version and CPU
- Exact asset name from Releases
- Puzzle folder path
- Update door URL
Across Bind publishes this chooser for people who typed crossword into a search box and need a desk path. Upstream XWord stays at mrichards42/xword under GPL-3.0. When Releases drop an OS asset, re-check the live list before you refresh images.
Travel kits should carry the zip or exe on trusted media only when policy allows. Prefer re-downloading from GitHub over copying mystery USB builds. Classroom volunteers should refuse Softonic mirrors even when a blocked first run feels urgent.
Asset names to keep boring
Prefer XWord-Windows.exe on Windows and XWord-macOS.zip on macOS from GitHub Releases for mrichards42/xword. Linux remains a source build on the current tag. Write those names beside the OS version on the machine ticket so the next bump stays honest.
- Windows door: XWord-Windows.exe
- macOS door: XWord-macOS.zip
- Linux door: README build notes only
- Ignore packages_*.lua when you only need the installer
Habits that keep installs clean
Type the GitHub Releases URL yourself. Refuse Softonic-style rename jobs. Prove one local .puz open before Package Manager. Keep Across Lite or a browser board as a labeled fallback during the first week on shared desks.
Travel laptops should download once on trusted network, then solve offline. Classroom images should re-prove File, Open after every reimage. Club volunteers should stop inventing a third download when SmartScreen or Gatekeeper blocks the first honest run.
- One Releases bookmark per profile
- One puzzle folder path on the ticket
- One update door forever
Related paths on this guide
Home install panel: crossword home. Safe download: download safe. Releases map: releases. GitHub overview: GitHub. First hour: installed. Windows detail: install on Windows. macOS detail: install on macOS. Linux source: install on Linux.
Across Bind publishes this map for people who searched for crossword software and need an offline XWord client under GPL-3.0. Upstream remains at mrichards42/xword. Subscription newspaper apps stay optional for archives and are never required for a local .puz habit.
When Releases change which OS assets appear, re-check the live list before you refresh a lab image. Prefer the same tag family across Windows and macOS desks whenever both assets still ship together. That habit reduces confused uninstalls after a reimage weekend.
Verify before you image
Open the live Releases list and confirm the Windows exe and macOS zip still appear on the tag you plan to teach. Prefer that pairing when Windows and macOS desks should stay aligned. Record UNVERIFIED for any command you have not run on a real machine yet.
- Confirm asset names on GitHub Releases
- Pin filenames on the machine ticket
- Prove one local .puz open after imaging
- Keep Softonic mirrors off the bookmark bar