Hemmed

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Hemmed is a native macOS utility application designed for advanced menu bar management. It functions as a system-level organizer that dynamically hides, reveals, and controls the icons and menu items that populate the macOS menu bar.
2. Core Value Proposition: Hemmed exists to solve macOS menu bar clutter and inefficiency. Its primary value is reclaiming screen real estate and streamlining workflow by allowing users to hide rarely used menu bar icons, rescue icons obscured by the MacBook Pro notch, pin frequently used menu commands for instant access, and automatically manage new and resource-intensive background apps.

Main Features

1. Intelligent Icon Hiding & Recall: Hemmed provides granular control over menu bar icon visibility. Users selectively hide icons, which are then collapsed behind the single Hemmed icon. The hidden icons can be instantly recalled by clicking the Hemmed icon or using a user-defined global keyboard shortcut (default: Control-Option-H). This feature utilizes macOS Accessibility APIs to programmatically reposition other applications' menu bar items.
2. Notch Tray for MacBook Pro: On Macs with a notch (like MacBook Pro 14" and 16"), Hemmed addresses a specific macOS UI flaw. Icons that would normally be hidden behind the camera housing or forced into macOS's native overflow menu are instead placed into a dedicated "notch tray" that appears below the notch. Users can hover to identify apps, click to open menus directly from the tray, and hide/show the tray via a chevron click or a two-finger swipe gesture.
3. Pinned Actions & Automated App Management: This feature set includes three core subsystems:
   • Pinned Actions: Users can "pin" any standard menu item from another app's menu bar menu (e.g., "Start Timer" from a time-tracking app) directly into Hemmed's dropdown menu for one-click access. The "Record a Pin" function automates this process. It relies on Accessibility APIs to read menu structures but does not access window content.
   • New Arrival Management: When a new menu bar app is installed, its icon is automatically hidden by default. A visual indicator (coral dot) on the Hemmed icon alerts the user, who can then choose to make it visible or keep it hidden, preventing unexpected menu bar clutter.
   • Battery Hungry App Detection: When running on battery power, Hemmed monitors the energy impact of apps behind hidden icons. If an app exhibits high CPU usage or wakeups, it is flagged with a leaf icon and a counter. Users can quickly identify and quit these resource-intensive apps directly from Hemmed's menu.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Chronic menu bar clutter on macOS, leading to a loss of valuable screen space, visual distraction, and difficulty finding specific icons. Additional pains include icons becoming unusable behind the MacBook Pro notch, inefficient multi-step access to frequent menu commands, and background menu bar apps silently draining battery life.
2. Target Audience: The primary user personas are power users, developers, designers, and productivity-focused professionals who run multiple utility applications (e.g., clipboard managers, weather apps, VPNs, system monitors, communication tools) that reside in the menu bar. It also targets users of notch-equipped MacBook Pros who are frustrated by the hidden icon problem.
3. Use Cases:
   • A developer needing a clean workspace who hides all non-essential tools but needs quick, shortcut-driven access to them.
   • A user with a MacBook Pro notch who wants immediate access to all their menu bar icons without relying on macOS's overflow chevron.
   • A project manager who pins "Create New Task" from their project management app's menu bar to Hemmed for instantaneous one-click creation.
   • A user on battery power who needs to quickly identify and terminate a hidden menu bar app that is causing excessive battery drain.

Unique Advantages

1. Strengths & Limitations (Pros & Cons):
   • Pros:
     • Native macOS Integration: Built as a lightweight native app, ensuring performance and system compatibility.
     • Comprehensive Solution: Addresses multiple menu bar pain points (clutter, notch, shortcuts, battery) in one tool.
     • iCloud Sync: Seamlessly syncs layouts, pins, and settings across multiple Macs signed into the same Apple ID.
     • One-Time Purchase: No subscription model; a single license covers up to 3 personal Macs.
   • Cons:
     • Accessibility Permission Required: Requires granting Accessibility access, which may concern some privacy-focused users, though the app specifies its limited use case.
     • macOS Version Limitation: Requires macOS 13 Ventura or later, excluding users on older operating systems.
     • Pinned Actions Limitations: Cannot pin items from apps that use custom, non-standard menus (e.g., some utilities with pop-up windows instead of menus). Cannot pin toggle states like checkboxes or sliders.
2. Key Alternatives & Differentiation:
   • Bartender: The most direct competitor. Both hide and organize menu bar icons. Hemmed differentiates with its integrated notch tray solution, Pinned Actions for menu commands, automated new app management, and battery monitoring features—many of which are either absent or handled differently in Bartender. Hemmed is a one-time purchase, whereas Bartender uses a subscription or upgrade-purchase model.
   • Hidden Bar (Free): A simple, free open-source tool to hide menu bar icons. Hemmed differentiates by being a more feature-rich, polished commercial product with notch management, iCloud sync, Pinned Actions, and automated app/battery management, which Hidden Bar lacks.
   • Native macOS Overflow Chevron: The built-in, passive system. Hemmed differentiates by offering proactive, user-controlled hiding, a superior visual and interactive tray for notch Macs, and the ability to keep frequently used icons always visible while hiding others, unlike the all-or-nothing native overflow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Hemmed safe to use, and why does it need Accessibility permission? Yes, Hemmed is a signed macOS application from a known developer. It requires Accessibility permission to perform its core functions: programmatically moving other apps' menu bar icons and, for the Pinned Actions feature, to read the structure of other apps' menus to record a pin and to simulate a click when a pin is executed. The app states it does not use this permission for any other purpose.
2. How does Hemmed handle the MacBook Pro notch compared to the built-in macOS menu? Hemmed provides an active "notch tray" that sits below the camera housing, giving you a persistent, interactive area for icons that would otherwise be hidden. You can click icons directly in this tray to open their menus. This is a more accessible and user-friendly solution than macOS's native behavior of hiding icons behind the notch or inside a small overflow chevron.
3. Can I use my Hemmed license and settings on multiple Macs? Yes. A single Hemmed license is valid for use on up to 3 of your personal Macs. Furthermore, with iCloud Sync enabled (default setting), your hidden/visible icon layout, icon order, Pinned Actions, and preferences automatically synchronize across all Macs signed into the same iCloud account.
4. What happens if a hidden menu bar app starts using too much battery? Hemmed's "hungry icons" feature monitors energy usage on battery power. If a hidden app has high CPU or wakeup activity, Hemmed will place a leaf icon and a counter next to its icon in the notch tray and display a count by the Hemmed icon. You can then open Hemmed's menu to see which app is affected and choose to quit it individually or use the "Quit the Hungry Ones" option.
5. Does Hemmed work with all menu bar applications? Hemmed works with the vast majority of menu bar apps that use standard macOS menus. The main exception is for the Pinned Actions feature, which cannot interact with apps whose menu bar icon opens a custom window or popup instead of a standard menu (e.g., some weather or calendar apps). The core icon hiding/showing functionality works with virtually all menu bar items.