Menu Bar Icon
TalkWriter lives in your macOS menu bar, providing at-a-glance status and quick access to all features. The icon changes appearance to reflect the current state of the app.
Icon States Table
| Icon State | Appearance | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Idle | Default icon | TalkWriter is running and ready. No active dictation. |
| Active | Pulsing icon | Dictation is in progress. TalkWriter is listening. |
| Processing | Animated icon | AI Polish is processing your dictation. |
| Warning | Icon with dot | An issue needs attention (sync error, update available, etc.) |
| Disabled | Dimmed icon | TalkWriter is paused or your word limit has been reached. |
The icon adapts to the macOS menu bar appearance (light or dark) automatically. No configuration needed.
What Clicking the Icon Does
A single click opens the quick action menu:
- Start/Stop Dictation — toggle dictation on or off
- Open Scratchpad — launch the Scratchpad window
- Session History — view your dictation history
- Analytics — open usage statistics
- Settings — open the Settings panel
- Quit TalkWriter — exit the application
You can change single-click behavior to open the Scratchpad directly instead of the menu. See Startup Behavior.
A right-click shows a condensed menu: Settings, Check for Updates, and Quit.
Hiding the Dock Icon
TalkWriter can run as a menu bar-only application with no Dock icon:
- Open Settings > General
- Toggle Show in Dock off
With the Dock icon hidden, the menu bar icon is your only way to access TalkWriter. Make sure it is visible and accessible before hiding the Dock icon.
Repositioning the Icon
If your menu bar is crowded, hold Cmd and drag the TalkWriter icon to your preferred position.
FAQ
The menu bar icon disappeared. How do I get it back? TalkWriter may not be running. Open it from Applications or Spotlight. If it is running, the icon may be hidden behind the macOS notch on smaller screens — try rearranging your menu bar icons.
Can I change the icon to a custom image? No. The menu bar icon uses the TalkWriter logo and changes based on app state.
Why is the icon dimmed? A dimmed icon means TalkWriter is paused or your weekly word limit has been reached. Check your plan usage in Analytics, or upgrade to Pro for unlimited dictation.