Enhance your macOS Dock with live window previews, music controls, calendar, weather, and system stats.
Visit WebsiteFreeVisit Website
Tracked since2026
0 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Significantly improves window management and switching efficiency.
Biggest con
Currently in public pre-release, so stability might vary.
TL;DR - docktor
- Adds live window previews to the macOS Dock for efficient multitasking.
- Integrates music, calendar, weather, and system stats widgets near the Dock.
- Enhances the Cmd+Tab switcher with visual window thumbnails.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
What is docktor?
docktor is a macOS application designed to augment the native Dock with powerful new functionalities, transforming it into a control surface. It provides live window previews for all open applications, allowing users to see and select specific windows before switching, thereby streamlining multitasking and reducing reliance on Mission Control. This includes previews for minimized and off-screen windows, and it also replaces the standard Cmd+Tab switcher with live window thumbnails for more efficient navigation.
Beyond window management, docktor integrates several useful widgets directly into the Dock's vicinity. These include a Music widget for controlling Spotify and Apple Music playback with synced lyrics, a Calendar widget displaying upcoming events from Apple Calendar with countdowns, a Weather widget providing current conditions and a 12-hour forecast via Open-Meteo, and a System Stats widget to monitor CPU, memory, and disk usage. The tool aims to sharpen the existing macOS experience by putting essential information and controls where the cursor already goes, enhancing productivity without replacing core macOS features. It emphasizes local-first privacy, requiring no account for its core features and using system-level APIs for data access.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Significantly improves window management and switching efficiency.
- Provides quick access to essential information (music, calendar, weather, system stats) directly from the Dock area.
- Maintains user privacy with local data processing and no account requirements.
- Seamlessly integrates with macOS features like Dock magnification and system APIs.
- Offers a universal build for macOS 26.0 (Tahoe) or later.
Cons
- Currently in public pre-release, so stability might vary.
- Requires macOS 26.0 (Tahoe) or later, limiting compatibility for older systems.
- Relies on specific macOS APIs, which might be subject to future changes.
Key Features
Live Dock Previews for all application windowsEnhanced Cmd+Tab Window Switcher with live thumbnailsMusic widget with Spotify and Apple Music control and synced lyricsCalendar widget displaying upcoming events and schedules from Apple CalendarWeather widget with current conditions and 12-hour forecastSystem Stats widget for CPU, RAM, and SSD usage monitoringLocal-first privacy with no account required for core featuresScreenCaptureKit for real-time window thumbnails
Pricing
Free
docktor is completely free to use with no hidden costs.
Reviews
$99Free with your review
Write a reviewReview docktor, get a free AI guide
Share your experience and we will send you Improve Your Thinking Patterns Using ChatGPT, free.
Best docktor Alternatives
Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.
Still deciding?
Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.
Explore More
docktor FAQ
How does docktor enhance the standard macOS Cmd+Tab window switching experience?
docktor replaces the default Cmd+Tab switcher with a version that displays live window thumbnails instead of just application icons. This allows users to visually identify and select the exact window they need, even minimized or off-screen ones, making switching more precise and efficient.
What music services are supported by docktor's Music widget, and what functionalities does it offer?
The Music widget in docktor supports both Spotify (via Web API) and Apple Music. It allows users to play, pause, and skip tracks directly from the bar. Opening the drawer provides access to the queue, playlists, and synced lyrics when available for the current track.
How does docktor ensure privacy, especially when accessing sensitive information like calendar events or location data?
docktor is designed with local-first privacy. It uses Apple's EventKit for Calendar access and Open-Meteo for weather, and explicitly states no Google account is required. All system stats are read from local counters. Optional prompts are scoped to specific features, meaning data is only accessed if the user enables that particular feature, and nothing leaves the Mac.
Can docktor's widgets be customized or rearranged, or are they fixed in their position relative to the Dock?
While the content within each widget's drawer is dynamic, the documentation indicates that widgets are positioned next to the Dock. Recent updates address issues like widget jitter under Dock magnification and proper centering when the Dock is on the side, suggesting their placement is integrated with the macOS Dock's behavior rather than being freely movable by the user.
What specific macOS version is required to run docktor, and is it compatible with both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs?
docktor requires macOS 26.0 (Tahoe) or later. It is built as a Universal binary, meaning it is compatible with both Intel-based Macs and Apple Silicon (M1, M2, etc.) Macs.
Source: docktorapp.com