Crossword releases
By Across Bind editorial team Current release, published November 29, 2022
Use GitHub Releases for mrichards42/xword when you need a named client binary. Prefer XWord-Windows.exe on a tag that still ships it, together with XWord-macOS.zip on the same tag.
Open XWord releases and confirm the tag before you download. This install guide maps filenames, not mirrored rename jobs.
Windows assets
Primary for this client path: XWord-Windows.exe. Prefer that installer from the current tag and run it. No winget package id was found on this review date. Do not invent one for a crossword desk you manage.
- Windows installer exe for a normal install
- No winget id verified here
- Confirm the tag still lists XWord-Windows.exe before imaging a lab
macOS assets
Prefer XWord-macOS.zip on the same tag. Extract the app bundle and open it. No Homebrew cask was verified on this review date. Gatekeeper wording remains UNVERIFIED.
Linux assets
The current tag ships no AppImage, .deb, or Flatpak. Upstream documents a wxWidgets plus premake5 source build in the README. Treat that path as UNVERIFIED until you run it on a real machine. Build notes: README.
Package lua files
Releases also attach packages_windows.lua and packages_mac.lua. Those files feed Tools, Package Manager. They are not the crossword installer. Prefer the exe or zip when you only need the client window.
How to refuse mirrors
If a site renames the setup for a crossword ranking, stop. Match the filename on GitHub Releases instead. Safe path: download safe. Machine chooser: for this computer.
After the download
First hour: installed. Windows detail: install on Windows. Update door: update uninstall.
Tag notes that matter
The current fetch used by this guide picked the XWord tag that ships the locked Windows primary asset name together with the macOS zip. Prefer that pairing when you want desks on one tag.
Keep one installer door forever. Mixing adware wrappers with GitHub Releases on the same PC creates duplicate installs and confused uninstalls. After every reimage, prove one short local crossword open before you call the machine ready.
Across Bind maps filenames for people who searched for a local crossword client and need an XWord path. Upstream remains at mrichards42/xword under GPL-3.0. Subscription billing stays your responsibility and stays separate from the program licence.
Classroom images should pin the exact exe or zip name beside the OS version. Travel laptops should keep the puzzle folder path written next to the update door. Shared desks should refuse Softonic-style mirrors even when SmartScreen blocks the first honest download.
When a club machine already has Across Lite, leave that copy until XWord proves one .puz open. Parallel installs are fine for a week. Document which door is official for demos so the next volunteer does not invent a third download mid-session.
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.