Tessel

Common Issues

Quick fixes for common problems.

Shortcuts Don't Work

1. Is Tessel running?

Look for the Tessel icon:

  • Mac: Top right menu bar
  • Windows/Linux: Bottom right system tray (click the arrow to expand)

If you don't see it, open Tessel from your applications.

2. Another app might be using the same shortcut

Try a different shortcut:

  1. Open Tessel
  2. Go to Transforms
  3. Click on the shortcut
  4. Press a new key combination

3. Tessel needs permission (Mac only)

  1. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
  2. Find Tessel and turn it ON
  3. Restart Tessel

4. Restart Tessel

Sometimes a quick restart fixes things:

  1. Right-click the Tessel icon
  2. Click Quit
  3. Open Tessel again

Transform Does Nothing

Check what's in your clipboard

The transform might not match what you copied. For example:

  • "HTML to Markdown" needs HTML code, not plain text
  • "Remove Background" needs an image, not text

Copy again

Sometimes the clipboard gets confused. Just copy your content again.

Try Clean Text first

If text transforms fail, try "Clean Text" (Ctrl+Alt+4) first to clean up any hidden characters.

Image Transforms Fail

Image too big?

Keep images under 10 MB. For larger images, resize them first.

Right format?

Tessel works best with PNG and JPEG images.

Actually an image?

Make sure your clipboard actually has an image:

  • Screenshot: Use the screenshot tool
  • From browser: Right-click image → Copy Image
  • From file: Open in Preview/Photos and copy

AI Transforms Don't Work

"No API key"

You need to set up an API key first. See AI Setup.

"Invalid API key"

  1. Go to Tessel Settings
  2. Check your API key is correct
  3. Make sure there are no extra spaces

"Rate limit" or "Quota exceeded"

  • Wait a minute and try again
  • Check your API provider dashboard for credits/limits

Taking too long?

AI transforms need internet. Check your connection.

Tessel Won't Start

Mac: "Can't be opened"

  1. Right-click Tessel in Applications
  2. Click "Open"
  3. Click "Open" in the popup

Windows: SmartScreen warning

  1. Click "More info"
  2. Click "Run anyway"

Linux: Won't run

Install dependencies:

sudo apt install libfuse2 libwebkit2gtk-4.1-0 libgtk-3-0

Make it executable:

chmod +x Tessel_*.AppImage

Tray Icon Missing

Windows

Click the arrow (^) in the system tray to see hidden icons. Tessel might be there.

Mac

Check your menu bar. It might be hidden behind other icons.

Linux

Install the AppIndicator extension:

sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-appindicator

Log out and back in.

Everything is Slow

Close other apps

Tessel runs faster with fewer apps open.

Restart Tessel

  1. Quit Tessel
  2. Open it again

Clear the cache

  1. Open Tessel Settings
  2. Click "Clear Cache"

Still Stuck?

Email us at support@gettessel.com with:

  • What you were trying to do
  • What happened instead
  • Your operating system (Mac/Windows/Linux)
  • Screenshots if helpful

We usually respond within 24 hours.

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