Display the output of any script or program in your macOS menu bar.
xbar is a macOS application that lets you run scripts and display their output in the system menu bar. It is a modern reboot of the BitBar project, built using Go and the Wails framework to create a cross-platform desktop app experience. It solves the problem of needing quick, customizable access to system information or any scriptable data directly from your menu bar.
macOS users, developers, and power users who want to monitor system metrics, automate tasks, or display custom information in their menu bar without complex setup.
Developers choose xbar for its simplicity, extensive plugin ecosystem, and compatibility with any scripting language. Its open-source nature and active community provide a reliable and flexible alternative to proprietary menu bar utilities.
Put the output from any script or program into your macOS Menu Bar (the BitBar reboot)
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The app features a built-in browser for hundreds of community plugins, covering system metrics, weather, and more, as highlighted in the README's plugin repository section.
xbar allows plugins in any scripting language like Bash, Python, or Ruby, making it highly flexible for developers, per the scriptable menu bar description.
Existing BitBar users can move plugins directly to xbar's directory without modifications, ensuring easy transition, as noted in the BitBar compatibility feature.
Rewritten in Go using the Wails framework, xbar offers improved stability and performance over its predecessor, as emphasized in the complete rewrite details.
xbar only runs on macOS Catalina or newer, excluding users on other operating systems, which is a clear restriction mentioned in the download requirements.
Creating custom plugins requires coding knowledge, and the documentation is developer-focused, which can be a barrier for non-technical users.
Plugins run arbitrary scripts without built-in security checks, posing risks from malicious or poorly optimized code that could impact system performance.