Menu Bar Guide

A Mac menu bar manager built for real-world clutter.

Tuck keeps your macOS menu bar usable when every utility wants permanent space. Hide icons with one click, bring them back with a shortcut, and use a notch-aware Shelf when the menu bar gets tight.

macOS 14–26Zero telemetryFree tier

What a menu bar manager should do

A good Mac menu bar manager solves the daily problem: too many status items, not enough horizontal space, and no native per-icon organization built into macOS. Apple lets you configure some Control Center and menu bar settings, but third-party utility icons still accumulate quickly.

Tuck's answer: keep the useful icons available without forcing them to stay visible all day. Push Mode hides the icons to the left of Tuck, and a second click or ⌘⇧B brings them back.

Where the menu bar is on Mac

The Mac menu bar is the horizontal strip at the top of the screen. App menus live on the left, while status icons such as Wi-Fi, battery, Control Center, and third-party utility icons live on the right.

Tuck focuses on that right-side status area: the part that gets crowded as more background utilities add permanent icons.

Core Tuck controls

Push Mode

Click once to tuck away menu bar icons. Click again to restore them in place.

Shelf Mode

On notched MacBooks, show hidden icons in a panel below the menu bar instead of fighting for notch space.

Auto-hide and hover

Pro users can automatically hide icons after a delay and peek by hovering near Tuck.

Per-icon control

Choose which icons stay visible, stay hidden, or follow the main toggle.

Privacy posture

Tuck is built as a small native macOS utility. It does not include analytics or telemetry. Network access is limited to license validation and Sparkle update checks, which keeps the menu bar manager focused on the local job it performs.

Because Tuck controls visible menu bar behavior, macOS asks for Accessibility permission. Shelf display can require Screen Recording permission so Tuck can identify and present icons accurately. The permissions tutorial explains why each prompt appears.

Who Tuck is for

Tuck fits people who run many Mac utilities, use a notched MacBook, want a lightweight Bartender alternative, or prefer a one-time purchase instead of another subscription.

Start with the free tier if you only need one-click hiding and the global shortcut. Use Shelf Mode and per-icon show/hide in Free. Upgrade to Pro for hover behavior, auto-hide timing, app-specific Rules Mode, advanced reveal gestures, and custom Shelf controls.

Frequently asked questions

What does a Mac menu bar manager do?

It solves the daily problem of too many status items and not enough horizontal space. Tuck hides the icons to the left of it with one click, and a second click or ⌘⇧B brings them back, without any native macOS per-icon organization required.

Where is the menu bar on Mac?

The Mac menu bar is the horizontal strip at the top of the screen. App menus live on the left, while status icons such as Wi-Fi, battery, Control Center, and third-party utilities live on the right.

Is Tuck free?

Yes. The free tier covers Push Mode, Shelf Mode, per-icon show/hide, the ⌘⇧B global shortcut, and launch at login, with no time limit. Pro is a one-time purchase that adds auto-hide, hover reveal, app-specific Rules Mode, advanced reveal gestures, and custom Shelf controls.

Why does Tuck ask for permissions?

Because Tuck controls visible menu bar behavior, macOS asks for Accessibility permission. Shelf display can require Screen Recording permission so Tuck can identify and present icons accurately. The permissions tutorial explains each prompt.

Does Tuck collect data?

No. Tuck has no analytics or telemetry. Network access is limited to license validation and Sparkle update checks.