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SpendLess detects two things: whether FL Studio is running, and which managed project is open. It also checks whether saved project files have changed.

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During a session

  1. Open a managed project from SpendLess.
  2. Make changes and save in FL Studio.
  3. Close that project or quit FL Studio.
  4. Leave SpendLess running for a few seconds to refresh the saved project.
Refreshing reads the saved metadata and plugins, collects available samples, and updates the project card. It does not save your unsaved FL Studio session or render a preview.

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Automatic or manual

Settings → Preferences → Update projects enables processing when a change is detected. If you turn it off, use Update project in the project’s menu after saving and closing it. SpendLess avoids updating a project it recognizes as open. If FL Studio is running but its project cannot be identified reliably, detection can keep the previous state instead of immediately unlocking the project.

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If detection is wrong

1

Check the application path

Open Settings → Advanced → DAW path. Try Autodetect, or Change to select the FL Studio application you actually use.
2

Check macOS permission

Allow SpendLess in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility. Restart SpendLess after changing the permission.
3

Open the managed copy

Launch the project from SpendLess rather than an older copy in your original folder. Use distinct project titles.
4

Let the session finish

Save, quit FL Studio and wait a few seconds. If the state remains stuck, restart SpendLess before retrying the action.
The FL Studio data path is a separate setting used to find FL Studio resources. It is not the application path. See samples for missing audio.