Mac Notes The 'cmake' folder scripts handle bundling dependent libraries in the QGIS application package and fixing up the library paths. It is automatic during installation. There are 2 levels currently, specified with the cmake config option QGIS_MACAPP_BUNDLE, and one that always occurs: 0 = (default) fixup the library paths for all QGIS libraries if @loader_path is available in the system (OS X 10.5+) 1 = bundle Qt, PyQt and PyQwt 2 = additionally, bundle libraries, but not frameworks A third level that is not finished will additionally bundle frameworks. This would create the "standalone" QGIS.