HashAgent Lite Documentation

Version: 1.0.0 | Platforms: macOS 13.0+ (Ventura and later) · iOS/iPadOS 16.0+

1. Introduction

What is HashAgent Lite?

HashAgent Lite is a professional application for macOS and iOS designed for calculating cryptographic hashes of your files. It provides a simple, focused interface for file integrity verification, backup validation, and hash generation using industry-standard algorithms.

HashAgent Lite uses cryptographic algorithms to generate unique fingerprints (hashes) of your files. These hashes can be used to verify file integrity, confirm successful downloads, validate backups, and detect file corruption or tampering.

What Problems Does HashAgent Lite Solve?

• Download Verification: Confirm downloaded files haven't been corrupted or tampered with
• Backup Validation: Verify backup files match their originals by comparing hashes
• File Integrity: Detect corruption in important documents, photos, or archives
• Data Transfer Verification: Ensure files weren't corrupted during transfer
• Archive Validation: Check if archived files have changed over time
• Hash Generation: Generate hashes for sharing or documentation purposes

Key Features Overview

• Clean Single-Panel Interface: Focused, distraction-free file hashing
• 39 Hash Algorithms: MD5, SHA-1, SHA-2 family, SHA-3 family, Keccak, BLAKE2b, BLAKE3, Whirlpool, RIPEMD-160, SM3, Streebog-256, Streebog-512, xxHash, XXH3, CRC16/32/32C/64, MurmurHash3, FNV-1/FNV-1a, SipHash, FarmHash64, and more
• Real-Time Progress: Track hashing progress with detailed feedback
• Batch Processing: Hash multiple files at once
• Copy Hash Values: Easily copy hashes to clipboard for verification
• Export Results: Save hash results to CSV, JSON, XML, YAML, or Parquet
• Drag & Drop Support (macOS): Import files and folders effortlessly from Finder
• Share Extension (iOS): Receive files from any app via the iOS Share Sheet

2. Getting Started

Installation — macOS

HashAgent Lite is available on the Mac App Store. To install:

1. Open the Mac App Store on your Mac
2. Search for "HashAgent Lite"
3. Click "Get" or the price button to purchase
4. The app downloads and installs automatically
5. Launch HashAgent Lite from your Applications folder or Launchpad

Installation — iOS

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad
2. Search for "HashAgent Lite"
3. Tap "Get" or the price button to purchase
4. The app downloads and installs automatically
5. Launch HashAgent Lite from your Home Screen

System Requirements

macOS:

• Operating System: macOS 13.0 (Ventura) or later
• RAM: 4GB minimum (8GB recommended for large file operations)
• Storage: Minimal (application is lightweight)
• Processor: Any Intel or Apple Silicon Mac

iOS / iPadOS:

• Operating System: iOS 16.0 or later
• Device: Any iPhone or iPad compatible with iOS 16
• Storage: Minimal

First Launch

When you first launch HashAgent Lite, you'll see a clean interface with a single panel ready for file import. The main window consists of:

• Toolbar: Contains algorithm selector, search field, and action buttons
• File Panel: Where you import and view your files with their hash values
• Status Area: Shows hashing progress and statistics

Understanding the Interface

Toolbar Components

• Algorithm Selector: Choose which hash algorithm to use
• Search Field: Filter files by name
• Import Button: Open file picker to add files
• Settings Button: Access application settings

File Panel Components

The file panel displays:

• File Name: Name of each imported file
• File Size: Size of the file
• Hash Value: Calculated cryptographic hash
• Progress Indicator: Shows hashing progress for large files
• Status: Indicates if file has been hashed or is pending

3. Core Concepts

What is a Hash?

A hash (also called a checksum or fingerprint) is a fixed-length string of characters generated from file contents using a mathematical algorithm. Think of it as a unique identifier for file contents.

Key Properties:

• Deterministic: The same file always produces the same hash
• Unique: Different files (almost certainly) produce different hashes
• One-Way: You cannot recreate the file from its hash
• Fixed Length: Hash length is constant regardless of file size
• Sensitive: Even a tiny change in the file produces a completely different hash

Why Use Hash Verification?

Hash verification is essential for:

• Security: Verify downloaded software hasn't been tampered with
• Integrity: Confirm files weren't corrupted during transfer
• Backup Validation: Ensure backup files are exact copies of originals
• Forensics: Prove a file hasn't been modified since a specific time
• Deduplication: Identify duplicate files by comparing hashes

Available Hash Algorithms

Cryptographic Hash Functions

Checksum Functions

Choosing the Right Algorithm

• CRC32/CRC64: Use when speed is critical and cryptographic security isn't required (e.g., detecting accidental file corruption)
• MD5 / SHA-1: Legacy algorithms — use only for compatibility with older systems or when the provider offers no alternative
• SHA-2/256: Recommended for most use cases — excellent balance of speed and security
• BLAKE3: Best choice when you need the highest throughput with strong security
• BLAKE2b-256 / BLAKE2b-512: Excellent modern alternative to SHA-2; very fast on all platforms
• SHA-2/384 / SHA-2/512: Use for maximum security or when working with very sensitive data

4. Using HashAgent Lite

Importing Files — macOS

Method 1: Import Button

1. Click the "Import" button in the toolbar or panel
2. In the file picker, select one or more files or folders
3. Click "Open"
4. Files are immediately added and hashing begins automatically

Method 2: Drag & Drop

1. Open Finder and navigate to your files
2. Select files or folders you want to hash
3. Drag them onto the HashAgent Lite window
4. Release to import — hashing starts automatically

Folder Scanning (macOS)

When you import a folder on macOS, HashAgent Lite:

• Recursively scans all subfolders
• Extracts all files (not just top-level files)
• Preserves folder structure information in file paths
• Shows progress as files are discovered

Importing Files — iOS

Method 1: Files Picker

1. Tap the "Import" button in the toolbar
2. The system Files picker opens — browse iCloud Drive, On My iPhone/iPad, or any connected file provider
3. Select one or more files
4. Files are added and hashing begins automatically

Method 2: Share Extension

1. In any app (Files, Mail, Safari, etc.), locate the file you want to hash
2. Tap the Share button (box with arrow)
3. Select "HashAgent Lite" from the share sheet
4. Tap "Import & Calculate Hash" in the extension view
5. HashAgent Lite opens with the file already loaded

Hashing Process

HashAgent Lite automatically begins hashing files as soon as they're imported:

• No manual "Start" button needed
• Hashing runs in the background - UI remains responsive
• Small files (<10MB) are read entirely into memory for fastest processing
• Large files (≥10MB) are streamed in 1MB chunks to save memory
• Multiple files are processed concurrently for speed
• Progress bars show real-time hashing status

Viewing Hash Results

Once hashing completes, each file displays:

• File Name: The name of the file
• File Path (macOS only): Full path to the file location — not available on iOS due to sandbox restrictions
• File Size: Size in appropriate units (KB, MB, GB)
• Hash Value: The calculated hash in hexadecimal format
• Status: Hashed, Pending, or Error

Copying Hash Values

Copy Single Hash

1. Right-click on a file in the list
2. Select "Copy Hash" from the context menu
3. Hash is copied to clipboard
4. Paste anywhere to use (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V)

Copy All Hashes

1. Click the "Copy Hashes" button
2. All hash values are copied (one per line)
3. Useful for documentation or batch verification

Copy File Names

1. Click the "Copy Names" button
2. All filenames are copied (one per line)

Verifying a Hash

To verify a downloaded file against a known hash:

1. Import the downloaded file into HashAgent Lite
2. Select the same algorithm used for the reference hash (usually SHA-256)
3. Wait for hashing to complete
4. Compare the calculated hash with the reference hash:
   • Match: File is authentic and unmodified
   • No Match: File may be corrupted, tampered with, or a different version

Changing Hash Algorithm

1. Click the algorithm dropdown in the toolbar
2. Select your desired algorithm (MD5, SHA-256, etc.)
3. All files are automatically marked for rehashing
4. Rehashing begins immediately in the background

Searching Files

• Type in the search field in the toolbar
• File list updates instantly to show only matching filenames
• Search is case-insensitive
• Clear search to show all files again

Exporting Results

Export to CSV

1. Click / tap the "Export" button
2. Select "Export to CSV"
3. Choose save location (macOS: file dialog; iOS: Share Sheet)
4. macOS CSV includes: Name, Path, Size, Modified Date, Hash, Algorithm
5. iOS CSV includes: Name, Size, Modified Date, Hash, Algorithm (no path)

macOS CSV Format Example:

Name,Path,Size,Modified Date,Hash,Algorithm
file.txt,/Users/user/Documents/file.txt,1024,"Feb 21, 2026",abc123...,SHA-256
photo.jpg,/Users/user/Pictures/photo.jpg,2048576,"Feb 20, 2026",def456...,SHA-256

Export to JSON

1. Click / tap the "Export" button
2. Select "Export to JSON"
3. Choose save location
4. JSON file includes structured data for each file

macOS JSON Format Example:

[
  {
    "name": "file.txt",
    "path": "/Users/user/Documents/file.txt",
    "size": "1.0 KB",
    "modifiedDate": "Feb 21, 2026",
    "hash": "abc123...",
    "algorithm": "SHA-256"
  }
]

Clearing the File List

1. Click the "Clear" button
2. Confirm the action if prompted
3. All files are removed from the list (not deleted from disk)

5. Settings

Accessing Settings

• Click the Settings icon in the toolbar
• Or use keyboard shortcut ⌘, (Command-Comma)
• Or select HashAgent Lite → Settings from the menu bar

Available Settings

Theme / Appearance

• Auto: Follow system appearance (Light/Dark)
• Light: Force light mode
• Dark: Force dark mode

Default Hash Algorithm

Set which algorithm is selected by default when you launch HashAgent Lite:

• Any of the 39 supported algorithms — MD5, SHA-1, SHA-2 family (SHA-2/256 is the default), SHA-3 family, Keccak, BLAKE2b, BLAKE3, Whirlpool, RIPEMD-160, SM3, Streebog-256, Streebog-512, xxHash, XXH3, CRC16/32/32C/64, MurmurHash3, FNV-1/FNV-1a, SipHash, FarmHash64

Auto-Calculate Hash

• Enabled (Default): Files are hashed immediately after import
• Disabled: You must manually trigger hashing

6. Common Use Cases

Use Case 1: Verifying Software Downloads

Scenario: You downloaded an application installer and want to verify it's authentic.

Step-by-Step:

1. Find the official hash for the download (usually on the software vendor's website)
2. Note which algorithm they used (commonly SHA-256)
3. Launch HashAgent Lite
4. Select the matching algorithm (e.g., SHA-256)
5. Drag the downloaded file into HashAgent Lite
6. Wait for hashing to complete
7. Compare the calculated hash with the official hash:
   • Match: Download is authentic - safe to install
   • No Match: Download may be corrupted or compromised - do not install

Use Case 2: Backup Verification

Scenario: You want to confirm your backup files are exact copies of the originals.

Step-by-Step:

1. Launch HashAgent Lite
2. Import your original files and calculate their hashes
3. Export results to CSV (this becomes your reference)
4. Clear the file list
5. Import the same files from your backup location
6. Compare hashes with your reference CSV:
   • All Match: Backup is perfect
   • Some Different: Those backup files may be corrupted or outdated

Use Case 3: Detecting File Corruption

Scenario: You want to check if files have been corrupted over time.

Step-by-Step:

1. When you first receive/create important files, hash them and save the results
2. Periodically, re-hash the files and compare to original hashes
3. If hashes change (and you didn't modify the file), the file may be corrupted

Use Case 4: Creating Hash Manifests

Scenario: You're distributing files and need to provide verification hashes.

Step-by-Step:

1. Import all files you'll distribute into HashAgent Lite
2. Select appropriate algorithm (SHA-256 recommended)
3. Wait for all files to be hashed
4. Export to CSV, JSON, XML, YALM or PARQUET
5. Include this manifest with your distribution
6. Recipients can verify files using the manifest

7. Performance Tips

Hashing Speed

Hashing speed depends on several factors:

• File Size: Larger files take longer (proportional to size)
• Storage Speed: SSD is much faster than HDD or network storage
• Algorithm: CRC32/MD5 are fastest; SHA-512 is slowest
• Mac Performance: Apple Silicon Macs hash significantly faster

Typical Speeds (Apple Silicon Mac with SSD)

Tips for Faster Hashing

• Use CRC32 or MD5 when cryptographic security isn't needed
• Hash files from local SSD rather than external HDD or network drives
• Close other disk-intensive applications
• For network files, copy to local storage first for faster hashing

Memory Usage

• Files < 10MB: Read entirely into memory (fastest)
• Files ≥ 10MB: Streamed in chunks (memory-efficient)

8. Keyboard Shortcuts (macOS)

Application

• ⌘, — Open Settings
• ⌘Q — Quit HashAgent Lite
• ⌘W — Close Settings window
• ⌘H — Hide HashAgent Lite
• ⌘M — Minimize window
• ⌘⇧0 — Bring main window to front (if closed)
• ⌘⇧1 — Compact window (960×600)
• ⌘⇧2 — Normal window (1280×800)
• ⌘⇧3 — Full width window (1600×900)

Standard macOS

• ⌘C — Copy selected text
• ⌘V — Paste
• ⌘A — Select all (in text fields)

9. Accessibility

VoiceOver Support

HashAgent Lite is fully compatible with macOS VoiceOver:

• All UI elements are properly labeled
• File statuses are announced
• Progress updates are conveyed
• Buttons and controls have descriptive labels

Dynamic Type

• HashAgent Lite respects system font size preferences
• UI scales appropriately for larger text
• Layouts remain readable at different text sizes

Voice Control

Voice Control users can navigate all UI elements, trigger buttons, and access menus using voice commands.

10. Troubleshooting

Hashing Is Very Slow

Possible Causes:

• Large files naturally take time
• Reading from slow HDD or network drive
• Using computationally expensive algorithm (SHA-512)

Solutions:

• Be patient for large files
• Use faster algorithm (CRC32, MD5) if security isn't critical
• Copy files to local SSD before hashing

File Won't Import

Possible Causes:

• File permissions don't allow reading
• File is locked by another application

Solutions:

• Check file permissions in Finder (Get Info)
• Close applications that might be using the file
• Grant HashAgent Lite file access in System Settings → Privacy & Security

Hash Shows "Error"

Possible Causes:

• File was moved or deleted during hashing
• File is corrupted and unreadable
• Disk error occurred during read

Solutions:

• Verify file still exists at the original location
• Try reimporting the file
• Check disk health with Disk Utility

Can't Copy Hash

Solution: Right-click on the file and select "Copy Hash", or use the "Copy Hashes" button to copy all hashes at once.

11. Technical Specifications

System Requirements

macOS:

iOS / iPadOS:

Apple Silicon Optimization (macOS)

HashAgent Lite is fully optimized for Apple Silicon:

• Native ARM64 support
• Uses 75% of performance cores for hashing
• Maximum 8 concurrent hashing threads
• Significantly faster than Intel versions

Supported File Types

HashAgent Lite can hash any file type - documents, images, videos, archives, applications, or any other file. Hash calculation works on raw file bytes regardless of format.

12. Privacy & Security

100% Local Processing

• All hashing happens locally on your device (Mac, iPhone, or iPad)
• No files are uploaded to any server
• No internet connection required for hashing
• Works completely offline

What Data Is Collected

HashAgent Lite collects no personal information during normal use. The only optional data transmission is the feedback form, which sends only if you explicitly submit it. When you submit feedback, the following is included:

• Your feedback message and type (general / bug report / feature request)
• Optional: your email address (if you provide it)
• App version and build number
• OS version (e.g., macOS 15.3 or iOS 18.2)
• Device type (mac / iphone / ipad) and model identifier
• System language code (e.g., "en", "ru") — not your full locale or timezone
• Optional: recent in-app console log entries (for bug reports)

No analytics, no tracking, no usage telemetry. Your files and hashes never leave your device.

Cryptographic Implementation

• SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512: Apple's CryptoKit framework (hardware-accelerated where available)
• MD5: Apple's CommonCrypto framework
• BLAKE2b-256, BLAKE2b-512, BLAKE3: Pure Swift implementations
• CRC32, CRC64: Pure Swift implementations
• All algorithms are one-way hash functions — not encryption

iOS Privacy Controls

• File access is granted only through the iOS Files picker or Share Extension — the app never requests broad file system access
• App Group storage is used only to pass files from the Share Extension to the main app; shared storage is cleared after import
• No background file scanning; all file access is user-initiated

13. Legal Information

One-Time Purchase

HashAgent Lite is sold as a one-time purchase. All features are unlocked immediately. There are no subscriptions, no in-app purchases, and no recurring fees.

No Warranty

Limitation of Liability

User Responsibility

Copyright

HashAgent Lite is proprietary software. Copyright © 2026 . All rights reserved.