DockAnchor

Keep your Mac’s Dock from “wandering” — lock it to a single screen in multi-display setups.

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Application Overview

DockAnchor is a minimalist, efficient macOS utility designed to solve a common pain point for multi-display users: the system Dock automatically switching between screens whenever the mouse cursor moves to the bottom edge of a display. This app allows you to permanently anchor the Dock to your chosen screen, creating a more stable, focused, and distraction-free workspace.

Key Features

• Lock Dock Position: Core functionality that completely prevents the Dock from automatically migrating across displays.
• Choose Anchor Screen: Lets you freely select which display the Dock should be permanently fixed to (e.g., your main display).
• Smart Display Management:
  • Real-time Display Detection: Automatically detects when displays are connected or disconnected.
  • Fallback Protection: If the selected anchor display is removed (e.g., an external monitor is unplugged), the Dock automatically reverts to the system’s main display, ensuring uninterrupted functionality.
  • User-friendly Display Names: The app interface shows readable, system-recognized display names instead of technical device IDs.
• Elegant Background Operation:
  • Menu Bar Icon: Displays a status icon in the menu bar for quick access to settings and protection status.
  • Dock Icon (Optional): Also provides a Dock icon for dual access methods.
  • Launch at Login: Can be configured to start automatically upon login — “set once, forget forever.”
• System-level Solution: Unlike scripts that repeatedly restart the Dock process to achieve the same effect, DockAnchor intercepts system mouse events to lock the Dock — no flashing, jittering, or annoying animations. The experience is seamless and smooth.
• Lightweight & Native: Built natively in Swift, the app is small in size and consumes minimal system resources, running quietly in the background.
• Update Check: Includes built-in automatic update checking to ensure you receive new features or bug fixes promptly.

Key Advantages

1. Boost Focus & Productivity: Eliminate distractions caused by the Dock unexpectedly jumping to another screen. You’ll always know exactly where the Dock is, preserving muscle memory and workflow continuity.
2. Optimized for Multi-display Environments: An essential tool for multi-screen users (e.g., graphic designers, developers, video editors, financial traders) to manage screen space and interaction logic effectively.
3. Seamless, Stable Experience: Uses advanced system-level interaction methods, locking the Dock without any visual side effects (like flickering). It feels as natural as a native macOS feature.
4. Simple & Intuitive Setup: Clear, straightforward user interface with all features clearly visible. Just select your anchor display and enable protection — no complex configuration required.
5. Secure & Transparent: Open-source project (MIT License) with publicly available code, eliminating privacy or security concerns common with closed-source tools. You can build from source and maintain full control.

Ideal Use Cases

• You use a MacBook laptop connected to one or more external displays.
• You use a Mac mini or Mac Studio with multiple connected displays.
• You want to keep the Dock and menu bar fixed on your main display while using other displays as pure extended workspaces.
• You’ve been distracted by the Dock automatically switching screens or accidentally launched the wrong app due to this behavior.

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Note: Upon first launch, macOS will request “Accessibility” permissions for DockAnchor. This is necessary for the app to monitor and intercept system events to lock the Dock. Please grant permission via System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility as prompted.

In summary, DockAnchor elegantly resolves a long-standing minor flaw in macOS’s multi-display ecosystem — making it the ideal choice for users who value efficiency and a clean, organized desktop experience.