PaperclipBar: a free macOS menu-bar app for your local Paperclip instance (approvals, blocked tasks, active runs, start/stop)
I run Paperclip on my Mac, and I got tired of opening the board just to see whether anything needed me. So I built a menu-bar companion for it. It’s free.
What it shows
A count in the menu bar of what’s waiting on you: approvals first, then agents in error, blocked tasks, and tasks in review. Click one and it opens on the board.
Active runs: what each agent is working on right now, with elapsed time. Long runs get flagged (the threshold is configurable).
The board in its own window, opening to the page you choose: Dashboard, Tasks, Inbox, Agents, or a project.
Metrics: lead time, work time, agent time per task, and cost by agent, model and project, with CSV export.
A notification for each new approval, blocked task, review or agent error, once each.
What it does
Start/Stop for Paperclip (using your own start script) and for any local model servers you add. Every start and stop asks for confirmation first.
Talk (macOS 26+): hold a shortcut, dictate a task, check it, and it’s created unassigned in the project you pick.
Setup: it uses a board API key, so it works with authenticated mode:
paperclipai token board create --name "PaperclipBar" --ttl-days 30
Then paste the key into Settings › Access. It’s stored in your Keychain.
Limits, so nobody’s surprised
It only talks to a Paperclip on the same Mac (127.0.0.1 / localhost). It won’t connect to an instance on another machine.
It needs an Apple silicon Mac with macOS 14 or later.
It isn’t notarized yet, so the first launch needs System Settings › Privacy & Security › Open Anyway. SHA-256 checksums are on the release page.
No analytics, no account. It sends nothing anywhere except your local Paperclip and model servers.
Download and user manual: https://dksolutions999.com/paperclipbar.html
Disclosure: I’m the developer (DK Solutions 999). I’d love feedback from other Paperclip users. What would you want in the panel?