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Getting started

The first launch walks you through the image engine. Optimize stays disabled until that engine is ready. That is expected. Windows uses a bundled engine pack. macOS can install in one click. Onboarding also offers an optional PDF engine step. You can skip it and still process pictures.

What are the first steps?

  1. Install from the download page :
    • macOS: universal .dmg (10.13+).
    • Windows website installer — Windows 10+, with in-app updates. If Windows blocks it, follow the on-page install guide.
    • Microsoft Store — Windows 10+. Windows handles signing; updates come from the Store. This edition cannot download the upscale engine from the network. Use the website installer for 2×/4×. Open the Store page  and click Get.
  2. Follow onboarding to install or pick the image engine. If you need PDFs, install Ghostscript on step 2. You can skip it and add it later under Settings · Plugins.
  3. Drop images, PDFs, or a folder onto the main window, or use Import. Formats outside the whitelist are ignored and counted in a toast.
  4. Optionally open Plans. There are six built-ins: Compress, WebP, target size, multiple sizes, upscale, and cutout. Compress is on by default.
  5. Click Optimize. Each row reaches a done state with new size and savings.
  6. Use compare when you need a visual check. Use Reveal in folder to open outputs.

See the overview for the full feature list, plans for presets, and engines for install notes.

How does the free quota work?

  • Free: 300 images per calendar month.
  • Failed jobs do not consume quota.
  • The counter resets next month.
  • Successful upscale, cutout, and PDF jobs count.
  • Pro: unlimited after CD-Key activation, on up to 3 devices.

When quota runs out, an upgrade dialog appears. The job does not fail silently. Buy from the License tab or the pricing section on the site.

Common blockers

SymptomWhat to do
Optimize disabledImage engine not ready. Open Settings · Plugins, or run onboarding again
One file fails, others succeedExpected. Read the row error. A bad file does not stop the batch
Result larger than sourceNegative-opt guard keeps original bytes. Savings show as 0. A successful upscale or cutout does not revert
PDF row missing engineInstall Ghostscript in Settings · Plugins, or process images first
Upscale / cutout missing engineEnable it in the plan, then download the engine in Settings · Plugins. The Microsoft Store edition cannot download the upscale engine from the network; use the website installer  or point to an engine already on this PC
New computerA lifetime license covers 3 devices. If a slot is free, activate on the new machine. If all 3 are used, unbind one in License or on the unbind page

Next

  • Web and app assets: WebP / AVIF and size control.
  • Product photos: cutout, extra sizes, watermark.
  • Watch folders: process an export folder in the background, with optional launch at login.
  • Stats: the in-app analytics page (local usage, not website traffic).

Email contact@once.work if you need help.

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