Thaw: The Powerful Open‑Source macOS Menu Bar Manager

If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling past a cluttered macOS menu bar, feeling overwhelmed by the endless list of system icons and app shortcuts, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there’s a free, open‑source solution that turns a messy command‑center into a clean, functional workspace: Thaw.

What is Thaw?

Thaw is a lightweight, menu‑bar management tool for macOS that lets you hide, show, and rearrange system and application icons. It builds on the spirit of the original Ice project by Jordan Baird, maintaining full compatibility with the latest macOS releases while adding new features and fixing bugs.

Why Thaw Matters

• Clutter‑free UI – Keep your menu bar focused on the icons you use daily.
• Customisable layout – Drag‑and‑drop placement, grouping, and auto‑hide functions.
• Visibility controls – Show hidden icons on hover, click, or via keyboard shortcuts.
• Theme‑friendly – Adjust tint, shadow, border, and background to match your system look.
• Open‑source freedom – You can inspect, tweak, and contribute to the code base.

Who Should Use Thaw?

• Mac Power Users – Anyone who relies heavily on system menus for frequent tasks.
• Developers & Designers – Those needing a tidy interface for testing or presentation.
• Accessibility Advocates – Users who benefit from having menus simplified.

Installing Thaw

1. Via Homebrew 💻

brew install --cask thaw

The Homebrew cask automatically downloads the latest release and places the application in your Applications folder.

2. Manual Download ⬇️

1. Visit the Releases page.
2. Download the Thaw.zip file.
3. Extract and move the Thaw.app bundle to the Applications folder.
4. Launch the app – you may need to approve the launcher in Security & Privacy.

Getting Started

Tip: The first launch opens the Preferences window. Set a menu‑bar toggle shortcut to show or hide Thaw’s pane.

Hiding Menu‑Bar Items

1. Open Thaw’s preferences pane.
2. Select the Hide tab.
3. Toggle any icon to ✓ – it will disappear from the menu bar.
4. To restore, toggle back to ✗.

Re‑ordering Icons

Drag items to reorder them or drop them into groups you create on the right side. Drag & drop also works for rearranging groups.

Automatic Hiding

Enable Auto‑Rehide to restore icons you’ve temporarily revealed. This feature keeps the bar tidy after you finish work.

Search & Spacer Items

• Use the Search field at the top of Thaw’s window to find a hidden or visible item instantly.
• Insert spacer items for a clean visual separation between functional icons.

Visual Customisation

Thaw’s Appearance tab allows you to: - Set a solid or gradient tint. - Add shadows and borders. - Use a custom shape (rounded or split). - Change the background to match light or dark mode.

Save your preferences, and the changes apply immediately.

Roadmap Highlights

All features are backed by a solid feature‑request tracker on the repository’s Issues tab. If you need something sooner, consider contributing directly!

Contributing to Thaw

1. Fork the repository on GitHub.
2. Clone your fork:

   git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/Thaw.git
   

3. Create a new feature branch:

   git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name
   

4. Make your changes and run the build:

   xcodebuild
   

5. Submit a Pull Request.

See the CONTRIBUTING.md for detailed guidelines on coding standards, issue templates, and the Git workflow.

License & Attribution

Thaw is released under the GPL‑3.0 license. It inherits the original branding from Ice but maintains a unique brand. Feel free to re‑license your fork as long as you honor the GPL terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap‑Up

Thaw makes the macOS menu bar a clean, efficient workspace—perfect for power users who need speed and control. Its open‑source nature means you can extend it to fit your unique needs or simply enjoy a tidier system out of the box.

Quick Actions

• Install via Homebrew or manual download.
• Configure hidden items and appearance.
• Contribute to the community.

Ready to take control of your menu bar? Download Thaw today and begin a new era of macOS productivity.