How do I set up Spotify track liking in SpotMenu?

You need to create a Spotify Developer App, add a redirect URI, and paste your Client ID in SpotMenu's preferences. This process is outlined in the README but can be tedious for casual users.

Does SpotMenu work with YouTube Music or other streaming services?

No, SpotMenu only supports Spotify and Apple Music. If you use other services like YouTube Music, you'll need alternative tools or forks of the project.

SpotMenu vs Bartender for menu bar controls – which is better?

SpotMenu is specialized for music playback with native integration, while Bartender focuses on general menu bar organization. Choose SpotMenu if music control is your priority, but Bartender for broader menu bar management.

How to customize keyboard shortcuts in SpotMenu?

Go to Preferences → Shortcuts to set global hotkeys for play/pause, next/previous track, and liking. The shortcuts are configurable but limited to the actions listed in the README.

Can I use SpotMenu on multiple monitors on macOS?

SpotMenu runs as a standard menu bar app, so it should appear on the primary monitor's menu bar. However, the README doesn't specify multi-monitor behavior, which might lead to inconsistencies.

Is SpotMenu open source and how can I contribute?

Yes, it's MIT licensed on GitHub. To contribute, clone the repo and build with Xcode 15+, but note the project is Swift-based, so familiarity with macOS development is required.

Open-Awesome

SpotMenu

MITSwiftv2.3.0

A minimalist macOS menu bar utility that displays currently playing Spotify or Apple Music tracks with playback controls.

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3.1k stars187 forks0 contributors

What is SpotMenu?

SpotMenu is a macOS utility that shows your currently playing Spotify or Apple Music track in the menu bar with playback controls. It solves the problem of needing to switch apps to control music by providing quick access to play, pause, skip, and like tracks directly from the menu bar.

Target Audience

macOS users who frequently listen to Spotify or Apple Music and want a streamlined way to control playback without leaving their current workflow.

Value Proposition

Developers choose SpotMenu for its native macOS integration, lightweight design, and customizable features like keyboard shortcuts and track liking, offering a more integrated experience than standard player controls.

Overview

Spotify & Apple Music in your macOS menu bar

Use Cases

Best For

Controlling music playback without switching applications on macOS
Adding global keyboard shortcuts for Spotify or Apple Music
Displaying currently playing track info in the menu bar
Quickly liking or unliking Spotify tracks from the menu bar
Customizing the visual appearance of music controls on macOS
Automatically switching between Spotify and Apple Music playback

Not Ideal For

Users on Windows or Linux operating systems
Listeners using music services like Tidal or YouTube Music
Teams needing server-side or cross-platform music control solutions
Projects requiring advanced music analytics or playlist management features

Pros & Cons

Pros

Native macOS Integration

Built with Swift and SwiftUI, SpotMenu feels seamless on macOS with a native UI and automatic updates via Sparkle, as highlighted in the installation section.

Menu Bar Convenience

Displays real-time track info and playback controls directly in the menu bar, eliminating the need to switch apps, which is core to its value proposition.

Customizable Visuals

Offers configurable display modes, colors, and hover effects in Preferences, allowing users to tailor the UI to their aesthetic preferences.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Provides global hotkeys for play/pause, skip, and track liking, enhancing productivity without opening the app, as detailed in the Shortcuts preferences.

Cons

Spotify Setup Hassle

Enabling track liking requires creating a Spotify Developer App and configuring Redirect URIs, adding unnecessary complexity for a basic feature.

Limited Service Support

Only integrates with Spotify and Apple Music, ignoring popular services like Tidal or YouTube Music, which restricts its utility for diverse listeners.

macOS Version Lock-in

Building from source requires macOS 13+ and Xcode 15+, potentially excluding users on older operating systems without pre-built releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

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