Instance Pilot Support
Instance Pilot is a macOS multi-instance manager for checking compatibility evidence, launching multiple instances of selected apps, managing running instances, and saving reusable Launch Sets.
Basic Setup
- Open Instance Pilot.
- Select or drag a macOS application into the Launch page.
- Review the detected application information and compatibility status.
- Choose the number of instances to launch.
- Click Launch N Instances.
- Use the Running page to activate, stop, relaunch, or inspect managed instances.
Compatibility Quick Check
After you select an app, Instance Pilot may perform a static compatibility check. This can review technical evidence related to signing, sandboxing, application structure, shared-data signals, and possible single-instance indicators.
A Quick Check result is evidence, not a guarantee. A result such as Clear means that no obvious static blockers were detected. It does not guarantee that the selected app will support multiple running instances.
Runtime Compatibility Test
Use the runtime compatibility test when you want stronger evidence. Instance Pilot may launch temporary test instances and observe whether distinct target processes remain active at the same time.
Test processes are temporary and are not added to the Running page as formal managed instances.
Launching Multiple Instances
- Choose between 2 and 10 instances.
- Instance Pilot launches instances in sequence and observes real target processes.
- A launch request is not treated as a managed instance until a distinct real process is observed.
- If only some requested instances start successfully, the result is reported honestly as partial.
Running Page
The Running page shows instances managed by Instance Pilot.
- Activate brings the selected managed instance forward when supported by the target app.
- Stop requests termination of the selected managed instance.
- Relaunch starts an exited managed instance again using its original launch configuration.
- More shows process identity, launch source, timing, and configuration details.
Advanced Launch Options
Advanced Options can include:
- Launch Arguments
- Environment Variables
- Launch Interval
Use advanced settings only when you understand how the selected target application handles them.
Launch Sets
A Launch Set saves a reusable setup, including the selected app reference, instance count, and launch configuration.
- Create a Launch Set from the current setup.
- Launch a saved setup again with one click.
- Rename, edit, duplicate, or delete Launch Sets.
- If a saved app is missing or needs authorization again, use Locate App.
Sensitive environment values are not stored in plain text. When needed, they are requested again for the current launch.
Process Independence and Data Independence
Multiple running processes do not necessarily mean fully independent app data. The target app may still share preferences, databases, containers, accounts, caches, or other resources between instances.
Instance Pilot manages processes. It does not guarantee data isolation between them.
Troubleshooting
- If an app cannot be selected, confirm that it is a valid macOS .app bundle.
- If multiple instances are not observed, run the compatibility test and review the evidence.
- If only part of a launch request succeeds, check the Running and Activity pages for the observed result.
- If a saved Launch Set cannot find its app, use Locate App and select the correct application.
- If an advanced argument or environment value is not effective, confirm that the target app supports that input.
- If Stop or Activate is unavailable, the target process may already have exited or the target app may not support that operation.
Important Notes
Instance Pilot does not modify, patch, inject code into, duplicate, or clone selected applications.
Instance Pilot cannot guarantee that every app supports multiple instances. Compatibility depends on the selected application's own design and runtime behavior.
Support Contact
If you need help, please use the support contact method provided in the App Store listing and include your macOS version, Instance Pilot version, target app name and version, compatibility result, requested instance count, and any visible error message.