Build a custom Dock for the way you work

Create a custom profile

A custom Dock is a separate Dockset surface. It holds apps and widgets together, plus shortcuts to folders, files, and websites.

1. Open Manage Docks… from the menu bar.
2. Open the profile selector and choose New profile → Custom Dock. Name it for an activity, such as Deep work.
3. In Settings → Dock setup, choose Both or Custom Dock + auto-hide macOS Dock.
4. Select your profile under Custom Dock in Settings.

You can save several custom profiles and switch between them. This does not display several custom Docks at once.

Add what you reach for

Use the editor’s add menu to choose Widget…, Apps…, Folders…, Files…, Link…, or Spacer. You can also right-click an empty part of the custom Dock and open Add.

Search the widget library by name or browse a category. Click a widget to open its controls. Right-click it for the available layout and customization options. Drag items to change their order, and use a spacer to separate groups.

Three setups to try

Deep work

Keep your editor, browser, and project folder beside a Focus Timer and Hydration. Leave chat in another profile if it interrupts you.

Deep work

P

12:30Focus

30:00Next drink

Creative work

Put Figma, your browser, and a project folder next to Now Playing. Keep reference files within reach instead of reopening Finder for each one.

Creative work

P

The EntertainerScott Joplin

0:005:06

Everyday

Try Messages, Safari, and Obsidian alongside Calendar. It is a useful starting point if you want helpful information without a specialized workspace.

Everyday

Design review10:30

These are examples to build with your own apps and files, not preinstalled templates.

Give it a place on screen

In Settings, choose Left, Bottom, or Right under Position, and select a Display. Widgets adapt to the edge you choose. Adjust Size, or enable Automatically hide to reveal the Dock when you reach its edge.

With Both enabled, try Apple’s Dock at the bottom and the custom Dock on the right. If they share an edge, Hide when macOS Dock appears can keep them from competing for space.

Switch activities without rebuilding

Select a custom profile from the menu bar, or right-click the Dock and use Switch Profile. Switching does not quit your apps or rearrange their windows.

Turn on Show running apps to see open apps beside your pinned items. Turn it off for a Dock that shows only what you chose. Read when to use both Docks.

Swipe and keyboard shortcuts

Move the pointer over your Custom Dock and swipe with two fingers across it: up or down for a bottom Dock, left or right for a side Dock. This switches between custom profiles. Scrolling along the Dock moves through its items; a regular mouse wheel does not switch profiles.

To switch with the keyboard, open Settings → Shortcuts, click Record Shortcut beside a saved Dock, and press a key combination with at least two modifier keys. Shortcuts work from any app while Dockset is running. Click an assigned shortcut and press Escape or Delete to clear it.

Pin apps and customize folders

With Show running apps enabled, right-click an unpinned running app and choose Keep in Dock. Use Remove from Dock to unpin an item.

Right-click a folder and choose Customize Icon… to pick a color and an optional letter or number. This changes its Dockset icon. Use Reset icon to remove the customization.

Send files with AirDrop

Add AirDrop from the widget library, then drop files onto its tile and choose a recipient in the macOS picker. You can also click the tile and use Choose files….

For widgets that need a connection or permissions, see Now Playing, Calendar and Reminders, Weather, and Shortcuts.