Check macOS code signature, hardened runtime, entitlements, and notarization of audio plugin bundles (.vst3, .component, .clap, .app/.appex). Use when user says "check code signing", "check codesign", "check signature", "verify signing", "check notarization", "why won't plugin load", "hardened runtime", "check entitlements", or a plugin fails to load in a signed DAW.
Validate AudioUnit v2/v3 plugins (.component bundles and .appex app extensions) using Apple's auval tool. Use when user says "validate AU", "run auval", "test AudioUnit", "check the .component", "check the .appex", "validate AUv3", or needs to check AudioUnit compatibility. For .vst3 use validate-vst3; for .clap use validate-clap.
Validate CLAP plugins (.clap files) using clap-validator. Use when user says "validate CLAP", "run clap-validator", "test the .clap", or "test CLAP plugin". Does NOT validate .vst3 or .component — use the appropriate validators.
Validate VST3 (.vst3) and AudioUnit (.component) plugins with pluginval at configurable strictness levels. Use when user says "run pluginval", "validate plugin", or wants comprehensive cross-format testing. Does NOT support .clap files. For multi-bus VST3 plugins that crash, use validate-vst3 instead.
Test VST3 plugin UIs (.vst3 bundles) using Steinberg's EditorHost without a full DAW. Use when user says "test the plugin UI", "open in editorhost", "show the .vst3 editor", or wants to visually inspect the VST3 editor. For functional validation use validate-vst3 instead.
Validate VST3 plugins (.vst3 bundles) using Steinberg's official validator tool. Use when user says "run VST3 validator", "validate VST3", "test the .vst3", or needs Steinberg-specific test suites. Prefer this over pluginval for multi-bus VST3 plugins.