DockInMenuBar

🚀 Getting Started

Welcome to DockInMenuBar! This guide will help you get the most out of your menu bar mini dock.

First Launch

1. Launch DockInMenuBar
   After opening the app for the first time, you'll see app icons appear in your menu bar.
2. Grant Accessibility Permissions
   DockInMenuBar requires Accessibility permissions to manage windows. If you see a ⚠️ warning icon, click it to open System Settings and grant the necessary permissions.
3. Start Using
   Your running applications now appear in the menu bar. Click any app icon to activate it, or right-click for more options.

✨ Features Overview

⭐ Managing Favorites

Adding Favorites

1. Right-click on any running app icon in the menu bar
2. Select "Add to Favorites"
3. The app will now stay in your menu bar even when not running

Organizing Favorites

Right-click on any favorite app and use:

• Move Left - Move the app one position to the left
• Move Right - Move the app one position to the right
• Remove from Favorites - Remove from favorites list

Advanced Organization

Access the Settings window (right-click any app → Manage...) to:

• Drag and drop favorites to reorder them
• Choose whether favorites appear before or after running apps
• Add/remove visual separators between sections

🪟 Window Management

Viewing Windows

Right-click any running app to see a list of all its open windows. Windows are displayed with:

• Regular text - Normal visible window
• ♢ Diamond symbol - Minimized window

Raise App Modes

Choose how apps behave when activated (right-click app → Raise App):

🚀 Quick Launcher (Mini Dock)

What is the Quick Launcher?

The Quick Launcher is an additional mini dock that gives you instant access to your most essential apps. It appears as a star icon (⭐) in your menu bar.

Setting Up

1. Open Settings
   Right-click any app and select Manage...
2. Navigate to Launcher Tab
   Click on the "Launcher" section
3. Add Apps
   Drag apps from your Applications folder into the Launcher list, or use the + button
4. Choose Position
   Select whether the launcher appears on the left or right side of your menu bar apps

Using the Launcher

• Click the star icon to see your launcher apps
• Click any app to launch or activate it
• Customize the icon style in Settings

🎯 Mouse Locator

How to Use

Quickly find your cursor on screen by double-tapping the Control (⌃) key. A colored ring will highlight your mouse position.

Customization

Open Settings → Double Control Key to customize:

• Highlight Color - Choose any color for the cursor highlight
• Animation Scale - Adjust how large the highlight appears
• Behavior Mode - Switch between cursor highlighting or quick "Go Home" action

⚙️ Settings Guide

Accessing Settings

Right-click any app icon in the menu bar and select Manage...

Favorites Tab

• Drag to reorder your favorite apps
• Remove apps from favorites
• Choose display order (Favorites first / Running apps first)
• Toggle separator visibility between sections

Launcher Tab

• Add/remove apps from Quick Launcher
• Reorder launcher apps
• Choose launcher position (Left/Right/Off)
• Select launcher icon style

Hidden Apps Tab

• View apps hidden from menu bar
• Unhide apps to show them again

Trash Tab

• Enable/disable Trash icon in menu bar
• Choose Trash position (Left/Right)

Double Control Key Tab

• Choose between cursor highlighting or "Go Home" mode
• Customize highlight color
• Adjust animation scale

🔧 Troubleshooting

⚠️ Warning Icon Appears

Problem: You see a warning icon (⚠️) in your menu bar.

Solution:

1. Click the warning icon
2. macOS System Settings will open to the Accessibility section
3. Enable DockInMenuBar in the list
4. The warning will disappear automatically once permission is granted

Can't See Windows in Context Menu

Problem: Right-clicking an app doesn't show its windows.

Solution:

• Ensure Accessibility permissions are granted (see above)
• Some apps may not support window listing through Accessibility APIs
• Try quitting and reopening the target application

App Icons Not Appearing

Problem: Some running apps don't show up in the menu bar.

Possible causes:

• The app is in the Hidden Apps list - check Settings → Hidden Apps
• The app is a background/system app (not a regular GUI application)
• Menu bar is full - macOS automatically hides items when space is limited

Mouse Locator Not Working

Problem: Double-tapping Control doesn't highlight the cursor.

Solution:

• Check that the feature is enabled in Settings → Double Control Key
• Ensure you're tapping Control twice quickly (within 0.5 seconds)
• Try adjusting the animation scale if the highlight is too small to see

Favorite App Won't Launch

Problem: Clicking a favorite app icon doesn't launch it.

Solution:

• The app may have been moved or deleted - remove and re-add it to favorites
• Try launching the app manually from Applications first
• Check Console.app for any error messages from DockInMenuBar

💻 System Requirements

• macOS: macOS 13.0 (Ventura) or later recommended
• Permissions: Accessibility access required for window management features
• Display: Works with single or multiple displays
• Memory: Minimal impact - approximately 30-50MB RAM usage

⌨️ Keyboard Shortcuts

• ⌃⌃ (Control Control) - Double-tap Control key for mouse locator or Go Home (configurable)
• Right-click app icon - Show context menu with all options
• Left-click app icon - Activate application

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is DockInMenuBar free?

Check the App Store listing for current pricing information.

Can I hide the macOS Dock completely?

Yes! Many users use DockInMenuBar as their primary app launcher and hide the regular Dock using System Settings → Desktop & Dock → Automatically hide and show the Dock.

Does it work with multiple displays?

Yes, DockInMenuBar works perfectly with multiple displays. The menu bar dock appears on your primary display.

Can I customize which apps appear?

Absolutely! Add apps to Favorites to keep them visible, or hide unwanted apps using the context menu → "Hide (add to hidden list)".

Does it affect system performance?

DockInMenuBar is designed to be lightweight with minimal system resource usage (typically 30-50MB RAM).

Why does it need Accessibility permissions?

Accessibility permissions allow DockInMenuBar to read window information, raise windows, and manage app focus - essential features for window management.

Can I use it alongside the regular Dock?

Yes! DockInMenuBar is designed to complement or replace the macOS Dock based on your preference.

Where is my data stored?

All settings and preferences are stored locally on your Mac using macOS UserDefaults. No data is sent to external servers.

🔒 Privacy & Security

DockInMenuBar takes your privacy seriously:

• ✅ All data stored locally on your device
• ✅ No internet connection required or used
• ✅ No analytics or tracking
• ✅ No data collection or sharing
• ✅ Accessibility permissions used only for window management
• ✅ Open about permission requirements

💡 Tips & Tricks

Power User Tips

• Workflow Organization: Use Favorites for apps you always need, Quick Launcher for occasional apps, and hide rarely-used system apps
• Presentation Mode: Enable Mouse Locator before presentations to easily highlight your cursor
• Multi-Window Apps: Set "All Windows" mode for apps like Finder, Safari, or TextEdit where you frequently work with multiple windows
• Clean Menu Bar: Hide apps you don't need quick access to, keeping your menu bar clean and organized
• Visual Separation: Enable the separator to clearly distinguish between your favorites and running apps
• Custom Launcher Position: Place the launcher on the right if you're right-handed, or left if you prefer accessing it from that side