I built a MacOS app to add app icons and notifications to the menu bar
Hey, Indie Hackers! 👋
I'm excited to share a little project I've been working on called Badgeify. It's a MacOS app that lets you add app icons and notifications to your menu bar.
The Problem I Wanted to Solve
As a Mac user, I have always liked a clean interface, but I find myself constantly switching between applications to check notifications when these apps do not have menu bar icons. It was a small annoyance at first, but it added up over time.
The Solution: Badgeify
That's when I came up with Badgeify. Here's what it does in a nutshell:
- Adds app icons to the menu bar: launch apps with just one click from the menu bar.
- Shows real-time notifications: See unread message counts for all apps at a glance.
- Customizable icons: Choose from default app icons, Badgeify recommendations, or upload your own.
- Works with pretty much any Mac app: If it sends notifications and shows in the Dock, Badgeify can handle it.
Some Cool Features
App Groups
One feature I'm particularly proud of is the App Groups. You can organize related apps under a single menu bar icon. It's great for reducing clutter while still keeping all your apps easily accessible.
Adaptive Icons
The icons automatically adjust to your Mac's appearance, switching between light and dark modes. It's a small touch, but it makes everything look so much more cohesive.
Lessons Learned
- User feedback is gold: Early beta testers gave me invaluable insights that shaped the final product.
- Keep it simple: I was tempted to add a ton of features, but focusing on doing a few things really well was the right call.
- Design matters: People really care about how their menu bar looks. Offering customization options was a game-changer.
What's Next?
I'm already working on some new features based on user feedback:
- More customization options for notification badges
- Keyboard shortcuts for power users
Final Thoughts
Building Badgeify has been a fantastic journey. It's solving a real problem for Mac users (including myself!), and the positive feedback has been incredibly motivating.
If you're a Mac user looking to declutter your workspace and boost your productivity, give Badgeify a try. I'd love to hear what you think!
And hey, if you're working on your project, keep pushing! The indie hacker journey can be challenging, but it's so rewarding when you create something that people find useful.
As part of this journey, I also implemented a license distribution and offline verification system based on Keygen.sh during the development of Badgeify. I've open-sourced this part of the project, and you can find it on GitHub: keygen-rs. If you're working on a tauri project that requires license management, feel free to check it out. I'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Happy hacking, everyone! 🚀
