back

Published on

mac-menu: A Modern macOS Application Launcher

mac-menu: A Modern macOS Application Launcher

macos productivity launcher dmenu

mac-menu is a modern, native macOS implementation of the popular dmenu application launcher. Built with Swift and Cocoa, it provides a clean, blur-backed interface with fuzzy search capabilities, making it an essential tool for power users who value efficiency and aesthetics.

Features

  • 🎨 Native macOS UI with modern design
  • 🔍 Fuzzy search functionality
  • ⌨️ Keyboard navigation (Up/Down arrows, Ctrl+P/N)
  • 🖱️ Mouse support with hover effects
  • 🌫️ Transparent, blur-backed window
  • ⚡ Fast and responsive
  • 📝 Standard input/output integration

Installation

Quick Install

curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sadiksaifi/mac-menu/main/install.sh | bash

Manual Installation

# Clone and build
git clone https://github.com/sadiksaifi/mac-menu.git
cd mac-menu
make
sudo make install

Basic Usage

The simplest way to use mac-menu is by piping input to it:

echo -e "Firefox\nSafari\nChrome" | mac-menu

The selected item will be printed to stdout, making it perfect for integration with other scripts and tools.

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • ↑ or Ctrl+P: Move selection up
  • ↓ or Ctrl+N: Move selection down
  • Enter: Select current item
  • Escape: Exit without selection

Real-World Example: Project Opener

One of the most practical uses of mac-menu is in project management scripts. Here’s an example of how it can be used to create a project opener script:

#!/usr/bin/env bash

# Define directories to search
dirs=(
  "$HOME/Projects/"
  "$HOME/Repos/"
  "$HOME/.config/"
  "$HOME/.local/"
  "$HOME/Personal"
)

# Select directory using argument or mac-menu if no argument provided
if [ $# -eq 1 ]; then
  selected="$1"
else
  selected=$(find "${dirs[@]}" -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -type d \
    -not -path '*/.git' \
    -not -path '*/node_modules' \
    -not -path '*/.yarn' \
    2>/dev/null | mac-menu)
fi

# Exit if no directory is selected
[ -z "$selected" ] && exit 0

# Open the selected directory with your preferred editor
/opt/homebrew/bin/cursor "$selected"

This script, which I call pj (project opener), demonstrates the power of mac-menu in a real-world scenario:

  1. It searches through multiple directories for projects
  2. Uses mac-menu to provide a fuzzy-searchable interface
  3. Excludes common directories like .git and node_modules
  4. Opens the selected project in your preferred editor

Why mac-menu?

mac-menu stands out from other launchers because:

  1. Native Performance: Built with Swift and Cocoa, it feels like a natural part of macOS
  2. Modern Design: The blur-backed, transparent window with hover effects provides a premium feel
  3. Script Integration: Its stdin/stdout interface makes it perfect for shell scripts
  4. Keyboard First: Designed for power users who prefer keyboard navigation
  5. Lightweight: No dependencies, just pure macOS goodness

Building Your Own Integration

The possibilities with mac-menu are endless. Here are some ideas for integration:

  • Application launcher
  • File browser
  • Command history selector
  • Git branch switcher
  • SSH connection manager
  • Password manager interface

Conclusion

mac-menu brings the power of dmenu to macOS with a modern, native implementation. Whether you’re a developer looking to streamline your workflow or a power user seeking a better way to interact with your system, mac-menu provides a clean, efficient solution that feels right at home on macOS.

Try it out today and experience the difference a well-designed launcher can make in your daily workflow!