Startup Behavior
Configure how TalkWriter behaves when your Mac starts up. You can have it launch automatically, start minimized to the menu bar, or wait for you to open it manually.
Accessing Startup Settings
- Open Settings (Cmd + ,)
- Navigate to the General section
Launch at Login
Toggle Launch at Login to have TalkWriter start automatically when you log into your Mac.
| Setting | Behavior |
|---|---|
| On | TalkWriter starts in the background every time you log in — ready immediately |
| Off | You must manually open TalkWriter from Applications or Spotlight |
For the best experience, keep Launch at Login enabled. TalkWriter uses minimal resources when idle — approximately 80-120 MB of memory and near-zero CPU.
Start Minimized
When Start Minimized is enabled, TalkWriter launches without showing any windows. It lives in the menu bar, ready to go.
| Setting | Behavior |
|---|---|
| On | No windows appear at startup — TalkWriter sits quietly in the menu bar |
| Off | The main TalkWriter window appears when the app launches |
This setting only applies to automatic launches (Launch at Login). Manually opening TalkWriter always shows the main window.
Menu Bar Click Behavior
Configure what happens when you click the menu bar icon:
| Option | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Show Menu (default) | Opens a dropdown with quick actions |
| Toggle Scratchpad | Opens or closes the Scratchpad directly |
See Menu Bar Icon for more details on icon states and customization.
macOS Login Items
TalkWriter registers itself as a login item through macOS. You can verify this in System Settings > General > Login Items.
If TalkWriter does not appear in Login Items after enabling the setting, try toggling it off and on again, or restart your Mac.
Resource Usage
TalkWriter is lightweight at startup:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Memory (idle) | ~80-120 MB |
| CPU (idle) | Near zero |
| Startup time | Under 2 seconds on Apple Silicon |
FAQ
Will TalkWriter slow down my Mac's login? No. TalkWriter loads quickly and launches alongside other login items in parallel.
How do I stop TalkWriter from launching at login? Toggle off Launch at Login in Settings, or remove it from macOS Login Items in System Settings.
Does Start Minimized affect performance? No. TalkWriter uses the same resources whether it starts minimized or with a window open.