[Feature Request] Menu Bar Access (Menu Bar App Mode)

[ardhichoiruddin]

Reference Issues

No response

Summary

It would be great if macai could run as a menu bar app on macOS, allowing quick access to the AI chat without needing to switch to a full application window.

Currently, macai only runs as a standard dock application. Adding a menu bar icon would make the app much more accessible and convenient for users who want fast, always-available AI assistance without cluttering their desktop or taskbar.

Basic Example

• User clicks the macai icon in the macOS menu bar
• A compact chat popover/dropdown appears instantly
• User types a message and gets an AI response without leaving their current workspace
• Optionally, a global keyboard shortcut (e.g., ⌥Space) triggers the menu bar popover
• The app can optionally hide from the Dock when in menu bar mode (similar to apps like Bartender, CleanMyMac, etc.)

Drawbacks

• Requires additional macOS-specific implementation using NSStatusItem / NSPopover (SwiftUI)
• The compact popover UI might need a separate layout design to fit in a smaller window
• May increase memory usage slightly since the app runs persistently in the background
• Users might need an option to toggle between menu bar mode and regular window mode

Unresolved questions

• Should the menu bar mode be a separate setting/toggle in Preferences, or should it be the default behavior?
• Should the app support both modes simultaneously (menu bar icon + dock icon), or only one at a time?
• What should the minimum size of the popover window be for an optimal chat experience?
• Should conversation history be shared between the menu bar popover and the main window?