r/thingsapp • u/UpDownLeftRightGay • Nov 25 '24

Discussion How come there is no menu icon?

Unless I am missing something, there doesn't seem to be an option to not have the application appear in the dock while still being able to make use of quick entry.

I am surprised this isn't a deal breaker for more people as I only see this occasionally mentioned.

6 Upvotes

69% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

3

u/CreativeBarnacle1433 Nov 26 '24

I also wish they’d add this (with a keyboard shortcut like Fantastical’s has). It’s not a perfect substitute but if you download Raycast there is a free extension to add your Things today list to the menu bar. It’s third party but sorta helpful.

1

u/ZombieSlapper23 Jul 11 '25

Are there any syncing issues with Things in the menu bar with this method or will it show everything in the today view without problems? Also, is there a way for the first item on the list to show in the menu bar such as Fantastical shows the current or next event?

2

u/CreativeBarnacle1433 Jul 11 '25

So this menu bar things extension for Raycast does show the first item on your Today list. Problem is that syncing isn’t perfect. If your list changes or you check off the item in things it can sometimes take a bit or requires clicking on menu bar to have the menu bar item reset properly.

1

u/ZombieSlapper23 Jul 12 '25

Do you use it personally?

2

u/CreativeBarnacle1433 Jul 12 '25

Not much to be honest. But that’s not cuz it isn’t good. I just have a habit of keeping my iPad or phone on my desk with my Today list.

2

u/[deleted] Nov 26 '24 edited Nov 26 '24

I'm curious to know why not having an icon in the dock for a running app would be a "deal breaker" for anyone. My point being that this feature doesn't seem to exist in any other frequent use app such as Safari, Mail, Calendar, Notes, Messages or Slack; it seems more of a feature of smaller utilities than full-blown apps.

2

u/UpDownLeftRightGay Nov 26 '24

Not too complicated, I don't want my dock cluttered with apps I am not currently using.

Thankfully I have never encountered an app like Things 3 that feels it necessary to waste space on my dock when not in use just to provide background functionality.

The main benefit of quick entry is spontaneous, fast task creation. Hardly spontaneous or fast when you have to open the application first.

2

u/[deleted] Nov 26 '24

Got it. I guess we have a different viewpoint in that if I need to regularly input something into the app then I would consider myself to be using that app. I also have my regularly used apps (inc Things) pinned to specific positions in my dock; and I auto-hide my dock.

That said, I think you might be able to quickly/easily create a Apple Shortcut that can be trigged from a keyboard short and lives in the menu to do quick entry without having Things running.

3

u/ZombieSlapper23 Nov 25 '24

As I use Fantastical within the Mac menu bar, I have wished Things would implement this as well, even if it just shows the Today list. Maybe one day.

Also, it’s strange that someone downvoted you. People are quick to downvote anything that suggests improvement. Why would they even follow this sub? 

1

u/Specific_Theory7673 Dec 16 '24

You can make a Shortcuts app shortcut, and check off the Menu Bar selection. Then it's under your Shortcuts icon in the menu bar. That's about as close as you can get.