Notchware

Notchware is a native macOS app that turns the MacBook notch into a live island for system status, media controls, and AI agent alerts.

Notchware is a native macOS application that turns the MacBook notch into a live island for Now Playing, battery, volume, brightness, Focus, and network status. Built with SwiftUI for macOS, it runs locally on Apple silicon and Intel. The app requires macOS 14.6 Sonoma or later and operates without any account, analytics service, or cloud backend. The Pro version adds alerts for Codex, Claude Code, and Cursor when they need approval or finish a task, along with Lock Screen music controls. Users can inspect local hook commands before installation, and the app writes small status events without reading prompts or responses.

Notchware at a glance

Best for: Software engineer
Runs on: macOS
Pricing: Free plan; Pro $3.99 one-time purchase
Released: October 2026
Category: AI agent tool
Website: ballmac.com

Key features

Now Playing playback controls
Battery charging and status
Volume and brightness levels
Focus mode animations
Wi-Fi and internet status
Codex, Claude Code, and Cursor alerts
Lock Screen music controls
Customizable island width and indicators

Use it for

Monitor music playback and media controls
Track battery charge levels and thresholds
View volume and brightness adjustments
Receive AI agent completion and approval alerts
Control music directly from the Lock Screen

Alternatives to Notchware

CoIsland — Monitor your engineering stack in the Mac notch and hand alerts to AI agents in one click.
NotchSub — It runs fully on-device using Apple Silicon acceleration without using the cloud or microphone.
NotchDodo — It keeps timers, calendars, files, and AI agent usage accessible right from the menu bar.
AgentValley — It surfaces active Claude Code sessions, sub-agents, models, and usage limits directly in the MacBook notch.
Vibe Island — Monitor, approve, and jump to AI coding agents directly from the notch.
Chopstick — Builds custom notch widgets automatically based on repeated local activity.
CodeIsland — It tracks multiple AI coding tools and enables approvals directly from the Mac notch.
SupaYatta — Tracks Claude Code, Cowork, and Codex sessions in the Mac notch with instant alerts.
Offscreen — Runs agent tasks in fresh VMs so your desktop stays free for your own work.
Mac Computer Use — Enables local desktop automation through native Mac windows and Accessibility controls.
Bama — Rebuilds any macOS app and automates the entire development process.
Whytap — Runs locally with zero telemetry and lets users bring their own API keys.

All Notchware alternatives