Show HN: DockFlow – Switch between multiple macOS Dock layouts instantly
dockflow.appitstudio.comI built DockFlow after constantly rearranging my macOS Dock when switching between coding, designing, or writing tasks. macOS only supports one Dock layout, and every context switch felt like wasted time and broken focus.
DockFlow solves this by letting you save multiple Dock presets and switch between them instantly, all without complex setup or bloat.
Key features: - Save and switch between multiple Dock configurations - Assign custom hotkeys to change layouts instantly - Add apps, folders, files, or links to your Dock - Insert visual spacers to group items - Lightweight and macOS-native (no permissions or custom dock) - Supports macOS 13.5 and above - Includes CLI tools and Shortcuts integration
*Launch Price:* €4.99 Price increases to €9.99 on June 1
No subscriptions. One-time payment for lifetime access.
Try it here: https://dockflow.appitstudio.com/ Happy to hear your feedback or questions!
Let me know what you think Hope more people will find this app helpful.
Note: this can be replaced with a bash script and https://github.com/kcrawford/dockutil for free
Hey, Of course, you can create all this app functionality using Dockutil. This is the tool that DockFlow uses under the hood. It also supports direct Dock terminal commands for some users for whom Dockutil doesn't work well. But I think having everything in an easy-to-use UI (including managing spaces, files, and folders in one place) is a much better solution for most users. This is like running OLLAMA on the terminal or using one of the many UI wrappers out there. Thank you for the feedback, of course, and I invite you to check DockFlow and see if it gives you a better solution than a bash script
I don't know if it's possible, but it would be cool to be able to share saved Docks as a file of some kind.
In the last 20+ years I've basically perfected where I want everything and expect everything to be where I like. I try to keep everything in the same order across work and home.
It would need some way to handle different machines having different sets of apps.
Thank you for the feedback Actually, you are able to do it right now with DockFlow. In the settings window, you have an Export/Import option, so you can use it to share your dock between different machines. I am working hard on a public Dock preset sharing platform that allows one-click import directly in the app. So this process will be easier in the future Let me know if you managed to use it. Thanks again
Love it. I don't really use my dock at all, I keep it hidden, but it's such a great concept to separate contexts for different situations
And writing this I realized that macOS does have "spaces", however they don't switch out the dock, so all the open stuff still stays there
Anyway, very cool, congrats on launching
Thank you! I can see why you hide it. I thought about it a few times before creating DockFlow. Also, when building DockFlow, I discovered the folders, links, and spacer options in the dock, so I built a full custom dock per project with the needed folders and links when working on it. This makes the Dock a lot more useful.
Your tool also solves something that is a big frustration with spaces: they can’t be renamed
There are a couple of tools for renaming them but they don’t work very well, at least not on apple silicon macs
So with DockFlow you actually get to name your different contexts, which is really nice
Does this help put the dock on multiple monitors permanently? I hate current macOS with its single dock on 1 monitor that changes randomly.
> that changes randomly
Moving the mouse pointer to middle of bottom edge of a screen will permanently move the Dock there. As far as I know, there is no way to disable this behavior. It's terrible.
For simultaneous multi-monitor, you're probably forced into using a full Dock replacement. There are a few options out there, but none have ever stuck with me personally.
If you go into System Preferences and disable "Displays have separate Spaces" it'll keep the dock and app switcher on your primary display.
I'm not a Spaces user so not sure what impact this has outside of the dock behaviour.
Hey, DockFlow dosn't replace the macOS Dock so no, Maybe I will try to build integration with other solutions that are replacing the Dock and allow multiple Docks on different screens. I built it to be as simple as possible without impacting the mac performances to I keep the native macOS dock. Thanks for showing interest
This looks great!
Is there a way to change docks using DockFlow via the command line?
Context: I already have a bash script I run when starting/finishing work which will start/stop any work related apps, switch the default browser, etc. It would be great if in addition to that I could configure both a work and a personal dock, and update that script to automatically set the right one.
Hey, First, thank you! And yes You can use a built-in command line tool and add an alias for it for better syntax. I will soon add a way to add aliases using the DockFlow UI.
You can also use the integration with the Apple Shortcuts app.
For using the DockFlowCLI, just run: /Applications/DockFlow.app/Contents/MacOS/DockFlowCLI --help
That seems super useful, as my dock is overflowing with too many apps, which I all use, just at different times for very different scenarios... like for example when producing and working on videos I use FinalCutPro, Motion and Compressor, but these three take up space when I'm in a totally different context like coding. But I don't want to remove them from the dock when not used; because if I do, I seem to forget that I have them or would need to add them back later. So this solves that perfectly!
Exactly I had the same problem with coding in different programming languages and with different clients. Glad you liked it Let me know if something is missing in the app or if there are any feature requests. Thanks for the support
Amazing. I've long thought about doing this exact product, so glad you executed - I think it's a great idea. It looks like through shortcuts a user can likely interface with the Apple "focus" modes, which makes for an iOS like experience.
Of course should be baked into the OS itself... so does this need any permissions to work? I don't trust you enough to install it so that would be nice to be clear on.
Hey, Glad you liked it and share the same thought about this problem DockFlow doesn't need any special permission to work. When you install it, you will automatically have the option in the Apple Shortcuts app to integrate with it (like every other app that allows this type of integration, this is not permission-related). DockFlow works totally offline (except to validate the license key), and no data is sent to my server or a third-party server. Feel free to ask any questions about it. I will be glad to answer
Very cool project! Thanks for sharing!
Makes me realise that a dock of shortcuts that would change per app would be nice!
Like if cmd + 1, and up would be linked to a displayed shortcut in a dock and change according to the app. (Maybe it’s what the virtual function bar was on some MacBooks?)
Thank you Glad you liked it. Custom app shortcut is out of the project scope. I want it to stay a simple and Dock-focused solution. But thanks to the CLI tool baked into the DockFlow app and the Shortcut integration, you can maybe create some automation rules that will trigger even Shortcut changes when the dock preset is changed.
It wouldn't be Dock-based, but if you don't mind palette menus this could be easily done with Keyboard Maestro.
Is there a good way to edit what shows up in the dock, as in put a custom label on an icon? Some apps create multiple dock entries when you create additional windows, and there's no way to tell them apart.
Hey, I can check it out if I can create custom labels and icons for the apps in the presets, Can you give me an example of an app with multiple Dock icons? You can send me at: appitstudio@gmail.com Thanks
Does this affect CMD-TAB functionality? That's the only thing I really use the dock for.
Hey, There are no side effects when using DockFlow. The Dock is the same Apple Dock, so after you switch the preset using DockFlow, there is no effect on other functionalities. So everything should work the same way. Thank you for being interested in DockFlow.
Nice! It would be cool if every desktop in Mission Control had its own dock.
Thanks!
I will check out this option. I also created an Apple Shortcuts integration, so if Apple provides a way to integrate desktop changes using the automation app, you can configure it to run a DockFlow preset for each scenario.
The shortcut and CLI integration are really powerful, I know users who set up automations for focus modes, time of day, etc.
Let me know if you manage to create such an integration, and I will check that out as well.
Thank you!
I haven't coded for macOS for a while... well, for almost ten years :-) But as far as I remember, there's a 'NotificationCenter' which broadcasts system state changes to apps. Maybe it has a 'Desktop changed' event?
This just makes me miss DragThing even more
What, if any, permissions does this require?
No permissions needed, not a Dock replacement, using the native macOS Dock, and wanted to keep it as simple as possible. No data is sent to my servers or any third-party server. All works offline except for the license key validation. Feel free to ask any questions, I will be glad to answer. Thank you for showing interest in DockFlow.
Thanks I wasn’t sure if it was possible to manipulate the dock like that without some kind of special permissions like are needed for menu bar customization (accessibility, screen recording, etc). These days I just don't use apps that require those unless they're extremely well known/trusted (and even then...)
This looks like it’s potentially great for my use case. I currently have spacers to separate groups of apps in my dock, but many of those apps I only use in specific situations (things like a bunch of IDEs I don't need when I'm not programming).
I'm going to give this a shot. Thanks.
Thank you! I understand you well. I tried to do my best while building it to prevent creating any features requiring special permissions. Let me know if you managed to try it. You can also manage spacers, files, and links using the DockFlow UI, so it can help you with every layout that you will need.
One suggestion, you should add some info about the lack of permission use to the landing page. I’m sure I’m not the only one that assumed it needed some and there’s no demo to confirm before buying.
It is always nice when somebody solves some obvious simple problem, ... and my first thought is, "Omg life is going to be so much better!"
Congrats on identifying and resolving such a prevelant bottleneck.
I just installed it, it works great, looks great, and you have my money! :)
The import/export option is really helpful. [0]
Also the close-apps-not-in-the-dock-feature is interesting.
[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44065229
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The great reward of great work is a high value windfall of unrealistic feature requests from strangers who have never done a damn thing for you, of course!
Feel free to ignore the following...
> VISIBLE NAME OF DOCK <
Any way to show the dock's name would underline the current context for those of us whose minds wander.
Possible in the dock? Possible in the menu bar?
Possible to have an optional floating unframed rounded rectangle window with just the name, to the right or left of the dock? Or in a chosen screen corner?
It could double as a switch-dock menu button!
I can't be prompted enough to stay on task...
> APP GROUP DIVIDERS <
I would love to be able to add space-dividers between groups of icons on the dock. An elegant subtle indicator would be a little extra space between apps, containing a black concave-sided up-side-down-V "⋏", with its bottom horizontally aligned with the "app open" dots (when the doc is horizontal), and its top a third or half-way up the dock, so that curved V sides mirrored the curved bottom corners of the right and left adjacent apps.
Or just a vertical bar like the one that exists.
(It might be excessive, but I may create my own collection of "apps" that do nothing but quit when launched, with an icon that looks like a divider. Desperate times call for desperate measures.)
> HIDE AND UNHIDE APPS <
Suggestion: "hide apps not in the dock", and "unhide apps when they return to the dock" features. Then app states would not be lost.
Hidden open no-longer-dock-pinned apps would stay in the dock, but be grouped at the right, as usual.
> DIFFERENT DOCKS ON DIFFERENT SPACES <
Along those lines, different docks on different spaces would be amazing.
> MULTIPLE DOCKS AS A SET <
Choosing a dock, would actually choose a dock set.
> DEFAULT LAUNCH DOCK, ON BOOT UP <
Might be nice?
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I would happily pay a $5 in-app purchase for "lifetime access" for any useful features you add, each.
If optional features are genuinely useful, having the choice to mindfully complicate my tools, or skip them, makes paying for them separately not only reasonable, but supports you doing this important work for me!! I mean for the world!
Well, I can dream and dream.
Regardless of any of that, it's perfect, great job!
Hey! First, thank you so much for supporting DockFlow. Really appreciated! And second, thank you for the great feedback. The first thing that I did was copy this to my tasks board. I will try to reply to everything here, But maybe it will also be best if you send me a message to my email, So if I have future questions, we will be able to talk easily there. You can contact me at: appitstudio@gmail.com Ok, let's start:
1. VISIBLE NAME OF DOCK - I think the best solution is to allow you to add it to the menu bar icon (Need to see how it will look like this can be tricky) Of course, it will be optional and toggleable in the settings menu. I will check for any other solution, but I want to avoid requiring more permissions for DockFlow or building something that will impact the Mac's performance.
2. APP GROUP DIVIDERS - I am not sure that I understand this request. Right now, you can manage spaces in the DockFlow UI, You can add a small or big spacer anywhere you want in the Dock. So this should be a solution for this request, no? Or am I missing something?
3. HIDE AND UNHIDE APPS - I will check it out, again, I want to prevent as many as possible from overwriting Apple's default Mac behaviors to make DockFlow with minimal impact and permission needed to run
4. DIFFERENT DOCKS ON DIFFERENT SPACES - When you say different spaces, do you mean focus modes? Or different desktops? Anyway, DockFlow has built-in CLI integration and Apple Shortcuts integration, so maybe you can create a custom automation that will get you the right flow that you need. I am planning to build a small website that will allow DockFlow users to share automation, presets, hotkeys recommendations, etc.
5. MULTIPLE DOCKS AS A SET - What do you mean by Dock Set
6. DEFAULT LAUNCH DOCK, ON BOOT UP - Nice idea! I will check the possibilities.
Thank you so much for this valuable feedback . Hope I will be able to bring more solutions that will solve your problems.
Weird. I literally never use the Dock. Maybe I should. I just RayCast my way into apps.
Yes, I can understand you. Before building DockFlow, I found this mostly annoying instead of helpful. But now, using it, I am able to make it a little productivity tool and a focus-shifting helper. Also, I found out about the folders, links, and spacers, so for some projects, it is nice to have all the important links and folders right there when I need them instead of searching on Finder. I also want to build a Raycast integration, I hope to finish it soon.
Alright, I’ll take a look!
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Desktops are extremely personal things. What works brilliantly for one can fall dead flat for another.
Cinnamon is nice if Win9x UI conventions are what you’re comfortable with. That’s not the case for many Mac users, especially those who've been using the platform for upwards of a decade, and unfortunately there is no macOS analogue DE for Linux. So even if some of these users might be interested in switching, they’re staring down learning a whole different set of conventions and key shortcuts, fighting muscle memory for several weeks, and still not being as fluid in day-to-day usage for several months at minimum, which seems like a pretty awful value proposition when they can pay $5 to fix a minor quibble and continue on with their day.
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No desktop environment is capable of full Mac-like operation. None have an application-based paradigm for example and instead all use a Windows-like window-based one instead. While it’s possible to get a global menubar on a couple, the feature is hacky at best and only works properly with a handful of apps.
Rigidity is only a problem when the broad strokes aren’t congruent with the user’s desires. This is why a lot of longtime Windows and Linux users have trouble with macOS while longtime Mac users install a couple of third party utilities and are perfectly cozy.
macOS ergonomics aren’t perfect, as they aren’t with any OS, but are perfectly functional if you know your way around. Navigation is not a problem if you’re using key shortcuts for both switching apps and windows for example and don’t have a solely window-based mental model. It’s been possible to maximize windows without fullscreen by holding down option when using the key shortcut or clicking the green button.
Permissions are a growing pain that every desktop OS will eventually need to face. The old model of every app having access to everything whenever it wishes doesn’t work in the modern era, and dealing with that is something seen even under Linux with things like Flatpak.
It's atrocious. Using multiple monitors and multiple browser windows is an horrible experience.
Also not sure why the dock insists on disappearing when you have a fullscreen video ... on another monitor.
I miss Windows 7 everyday.
The dock not appearing on multiple screens is a gripe I share, but otherwise Windows’ handling of multiple monitors drives me up a wall. It’s unbelievable that in the newest build of Win11, wallpapers can’t be set per-screen without the hack of combining images, as is how it’s incapable of switching virtual desktops independently between monitors. Both Linux DEs and macOS have solidly outclassed Windows here for decades now.
Ah yes, I forgot this funny joke where for years I didn't understand why the dock was suddenly jumping to the other monitor without wanting to come back.
And finally discovered that you should do a strange movement of two fast tap to the bottom of the screen without mouse to move the dock on this screen. Would always happen unexpected but will be very hard to execute well to bring the dock back.
That's great but don't start stupid OS war shit in other people's Show HNs.