barn

barn is a macOS menu-bar application that monitors AI coding agents and switches to their exact terminal tabs.

Barn is a tiny macOS menu-bar app designed for people running multiple AI coding agents simultaneously. It watches agents like Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini by reading the process table and local session files, requiring zero setup. When an agent hits a permission prompt or requires input, it notifies you and uses Apple Events to bring the correct terminal tab, split, tmux pane, or editor window to the front. You can also use a Spotlight-style switcher or a floating deck to view and filter agent statuses at a glance. The app is free and open source, runs entirely on your Mac without an account or telemetry, and fetches only a daily update check.

barn at a glance

Best for: Software engineer
Runs on: macOS
Pricing: Free and open source
Released: October 2026
Category: AI agent tool
Website: barn.ope.cool

Key features

Watches AI coding agents from the menu bar
Jumps to the exact terminal tab or editor window
Sends notifications when agents need attention
Spotlight-style agent switcher with keyboard shortcuts
Floating deck for glanceable status on every desktop
Tracks agents automatically or via hooks
Zero setup required

Use it for

Monitoring multiple AI coding agents simultaneously
Switching to the exact terminal tab needing a permission prompt
Filtering active agents with a Spotlight-style switcher
Tracking agent states like working, waiting, or done

Alternatives to barn

AgentDock — Manages multiple coding agents from one screen-edge inbox without switching tabs.
ManyAgents — Runs multiple AI coding agents locally on your Mac with dedicated worktrees and live previews.
Offscreen — Runs agent tasks in fresh VMs so your desktop stays free for your own work.
AI Bridge — Organise AI coding agents by job and project in one window.
Littleguys — Monitors multiple AI agents from the Mac menu bar without using cloud services.
Adyen — Share AI agent resources across coding tools and repositories easily.
Muster — Manage multiple AI coding sessions without switching app windows.
Claude Codex Bridge — Runs multiple AI coding agents concurrently with stable cross-provider collaboration.
Farol — Run Claude Code and Codex agents in parallel with isolated git worktrees.
Agent OS — Manage AI coding sessions side by side and check on them from your phone.
Array — Runs Claude Code, Codex, and Pi side by side on one canvas.
Twine — Coordinates multiple coding agents with visual traces and controlled workflows.

All barn alternatives