Show HN: I acquired ExtraDock, rebuilt it, now it's the macOS app of my dreams

[pugdogdev]

About a year ago, I was building DockFlow (a macOS app for managing macOS dock presets) When I bumped into ExtraDock on Reddit. The original creator had built a cool tool: create multiple floating docks on your Mac, position them on different monitors. But the app was hard to maintain, and the developer was looking to move on.

I loved the concept. I saw how ExtraDock and DockFlow could work beautifully together. DockFlow manages your dock configurations, ExtraDock gives you multiple docks per monitor. I reached out, we made a deal, and I rebuilt the entire thing from the ground up.

When I first acquired ExtraDock, it had potential but needed serious work. The original creator built the core concept—multiple floating docks, but the UI was basic, performance was shaky, and there was no real integration with other tools. Over the past 10 months, I have completely rebuilt it.

The difference is night and day. I rewrote everything, eliminated the crashes, added customizable widgets (spacers, dividers, clocks, Finder Trash widgets, Tamadocky, and much more. And integrated it seamlessly with DockFlow, so your docks automatically appear or disappear based on your workflow preset.

Three months ago, I realized I was spending too much time context-switching between monitors. I have a 14-inch MacBook, two 27-inch displays, and completely different workflows on each one. Design on the left monitor. Development on the right. Communications and reference materials on the third.

The problem? The macOS Dock only exists in one place. So I'm constantly jumping screens to access the apps I need for that specific workspace.

With the rebuilt ExtraDock, that problem just disappeared.

Now I have three specialized docks: Left monitor: Figma, Photoshop, color picker, design asset folders Right monitor: Cursor, Terminal, Chrome, GitHub Desktop, Projects folders Center: Email, Notion, Calendar, management folders

When I switch my DockFlow preset from "Design" to "Development," ExtraDock automatically hides my design dock and shows my dev dock. Each monitor becomes a focused workspace tailored to what I'm actually doing. No more hunting for apps on the wrong screen.

I also built the magic feature: ExtraDock's Live Dock widget.

This is what sets it apart from other floating dock tools. You can literally copy your native macOS Dock, with live updates. Place it anywhere. On a different monitor, at a different position, at a different size.

Features that make it work: Unlimited docks positioned anywhere on your screens Drag-and-drop apps, folders, and files into your docks Fully customizable: colors, sizes, layouts, icons Auto-hide or always-visible—your choice Hides automatically during full-screen apps (movies, presentations) Live Dock widget to replicate your native Dock anywhere Custom widgets: spacers, dividers, clocks, Finder/Trash access DockFlow integration: docks respond to your preset switches Zero lag even with multiple docks running Runs completely offline with zero OS permissions (Live dock can work better with accessibility, but this is optional) Everything stays local—no cloud, no telemetry

What makes ExtraDock different?

Other dock replacement apps try to replace the Dock entirely. That's fine if you want a completely custom experience, but a lot of people like the native Dock. They just wish they could have it on every monitor. ExtraDock lets you do that. You keep your native Dock (or clone it with the Live Dock widget) and add unlimited floating docks wherever you need them.

Pricing: $9.99 yearly $31.99 (Instead of 39.99 now) for a lifetime license

14-day refund guarantee if it doesn't work for you

Will be happy to get your feedback, and invite you to join over 600 ExtraDock users :)

Check it out: https://extradock.app

[altairprime]

Seems nice enough — but there’s ann opportunity to talk more about your product from an HN-specific standpoint. Here’s some examples of directions you could take that might be of particular interest here:

Is there a technical blog post somewhere about your rewrite efforts?

What opinions did you form, disprove, or reaffirm about the technologies, languages, and tools you used when developing this?

What technical obstacles did you overcome and how?

What ratio of annual to unlimited purchases are you predicting to see?

How does the app use MacOS open and/or private APIs?

What is your most niche feature that you think sets you apart from others?

Do you have past experience with Mac Classic floating toolbars?

Does your app support the TouchBar, either on laptop keyboards or on iPad-as-second-display via Continuity?

Can the docks be launched with secure windowing flags enabled so that they’re automatically excluded from whole-desktop screen sharing, screenshots, etc?

Was AI used at any time in the development of this tool or your writing about it?

Does the dock tamagotchi offer integration opportunities for other apps such as Pixel Pals (by the former Apollo dev)?

etc.

[pugdogdev]

Hey there, Thank you for your detailed interest in the app and my journey. I don't have a dedicated space to write technical posts, but I am starting to consider doing so. I am thinking of combining them in my small company website appitstudio.com and writing general posts about my journey building my apps. I can answer a few of your suggested topics here, and maybe I will createa full tech post also in the future :)

I use pure Swift with SwiftUI for all of my apps. Before starting to work on my first app, DockFlow, I was developing web, Android, and iOS applications. This was my first time building a macOS application, so the learning process relied heavily on AI. However, my 15+ years of experience as a developer helped me use it as a tool to build faster, better software, rather than just vibe-coded apps with no planning. I think what sets my apps apart is the quick solutions we offer with out-of-the-box thinking, fast support, taking our user feedback seriously, rapid updates, and release cycle (almost a version every week), and of course keeping our app permission-free / minimal optional accessibility permission for more "fun" features. Regarding secure windowing flags, I hadn't considered that until now. Good suggestion, will be added to our road map :)

Tamadocky was built entirely for me XD. I plan to expand this feature in the future. Still, because this is a "fun" feature, I want to make ExtraDock very stable before adding more fun staff. The core must be robust and stable.

I know I didn't answer all the questions, but if you have a specific interest, feel free to ask, and I'll move forward with the writing tasks and share more details as you suggest on blog posts.

Thanks again! :)