A free and open-source collection of native macOS menu bar utilities, MacTools streamlines system management by consolidating frequently used actions into a lightweight, fast, and unobtrusive application. It targets macOS power users and engineers seeking efficient control over their system, offering enhanced productivity through quick access to a wide array of functions directly from the menu bar.

How It Works

Built using SwiftUI and AppKit, MacTools leverages native macOS frameworks for a performant and deeply integrated user experience. Its design prioritizes unobtrusiveness, placing essential tools within the menu bar for immediate access without disrupting workflow. This approach ensures a modern, responsive interface while maintaining deep system integration for features ranging from display control to audio management.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Install: brew install --cask mactools
• Upgrade: brew update && brew upgrade --cask --greedy mactools
• Prerequisites: macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) and later.
• Documentation: The project README serves as the primary source of information.

Highlighted Details

• Comprehensive display management, including resolution switching, brightness control (internal/external), True Tone, and display sleep.
• System toggles for Dark Mode, Night Shift, Stage Manager, and audio/microphone muting.
• System maintenance utilities for disk cleanup, Xcode cache clearing, ejecting disks, emptying trash, clearing clipboard, and fixing damaged applications.
• Advanced features such as IP address checking, text translation (OpenAI-compatible), app shortcuts, highly customizable Launchpad, Finder context menu extensions, and system status monitoring (CPU, GPU, memory, disk, network).
• Peripherals and battery management, including device battery aggregation and fan control with custom presets.
• Customizable menu bar icons supporting local images, GIFs, MP4s, and online animations.

Maintenance & Community

The project is open-source with a CONTRIBUTING.md file detailing development setup and workflows. While specific community channels or sponsorship details are not provided in the README, the contributor list is acknowledged.

Licensing & Compatibility

MacTools is licensed under the Apache License 2.0. This permissive license allows for commercial use and integration into closed-source projects without significant restrictions.

Limitations & Caveats

Requires macOS 14.0 or later. Certain advanced features, such as fan control, necessitate administrator privileges and the installation of a helper tool. The tool is exclusively for macOS.