UpDock Documentation

Build Mini-Docks for every part of your day

Anatomy of a Mini-Dock

A Mini-Dock is a task-focused row or column of Dock Item icons. Each icon represents an app, file, link, action, or other resource and performs the action appropriate to its kind.

Dock Item icons and behavior
  • Click an icon to open, run, play, preview, search, or insert its content, depending on the Dock Item kind.
  • Point to an icon to magnify it. Depending on the Mini-Dock’s Control Panel settings, UpDock can also show its name in a label, use larger icons or text, or speak the name.
  • Right-click, Control-click, or click and hold an icon to show its contextual menu. The first commands apply to that Dock Item; the remaining commands manage its icon, the Mini-Dock, and the item itself.
  • Option-click and hold to show the Mini-Docks alphabetically. Choose one to activate it.
  • UpDock Folder icons reveal their nested Dock Items. Finder folders, BBEdit Project folders, and other Finder-backed items remain single Dock Items unless configured as an UpDock Auto Folder.

Finder items remain in their original locations. A Dock Item stores a link and access information; adding or removing it does not move or delete the original app, file, or folder.

Flags and visual cues
  • App Running flag — diamond: In UpDock+ and UpDock Pro, a diamond behind an Application icon indicates that the app is currently running.
  • Dock Item is a hyperlink flag — link: A link symbol behind a URL icon identifies an item that opens a web address, app link, or Shortcut link.

These flags sit on the same layer behind the icon. When an icon magnifies, it naturally covers more of its flag; the flag does not change the Dock Item’s action.

Dock Item kinds, functions, and contextual menus

Every live Dock Item menu includes commands to choose or paste a custom icon, restore the default icon when applicable, show UpDock Settings, open all items in the Mini-Dock, activate a Mini-Dock from the list, and remove the item. The commands below appear when they apply to the selected kind.

Application

Function: Opens or brings forward an app.

Contextual menu: Open; Quit when the app is running; Reveal in Finder; and, in UpDock Pro, Show Package Contents.

File

Function: Opens a document or file in its default app.

Contextual menu: Open and Reveal in Finder. A recognized package or bundle also offers Show Package Contents in UpDock Pro.

URL

Function: Opens a website or supported app link. URL icons display the link flag.

Contextual menu: Open, followed by the shared icon and Mini-Dock commands.

Clipping

Function: Inserts stored text at the cursor in the current app.

Contextual menu: Open inserts the clipping; the shared commands follow.

Shortcut

Function: Runs an Apple Shortcut. UpDock stores it as a special link, so its icon also displays the link flag.

Contextual menu: Open runs the Shortcut; the shared commands follow.

Separator

Function: Displays a thin rule between groups of Dock Items and has no opening action.

Contextual menu: Mini-Dock commands and Remove from Mini-Dock.

AppleScript

Function: Runs its saved AppleScript source.

Contextual menu: Open runs the script; the shared commands follow. Use its Item menu in Settings to edit the script and runner options.

Shell Script

Function: Runs its saved shell commands with the selected interpreter.

Contextual menu: Open runs the script; the shared commands follow. Use its Item menu in Settings to edit the script.

UpDock Search

Function: Searches its chosen folder for saved text and presents matching files and lines.

Contextual menu: Open runs the search; the shared commands follow. Use its Item menu in Settings to edit the search.

Automator Workflow

Function: Runs an existing Automator workflow.

Contextual menu: Run and Edit in Automator, followed by the shared commands. UpDock Pro also offers Show Package Contents for a recognized workflow package.

Media

Function: Plays local audio, previews local video, or opens a saved Apple Music song or playlist.

Contextual menu: Play, Preview, or Open in Music. Local media also offers Stop, Reveal in Finder, and Export Media File or Export Media Clip.

Finder Folder

Function: Reveals an ordinary Finder folder as a folder menu without importing its contents as saved Dock Items.

Contextual menu: Open, Use as UpDock Auto Folder, Use as BBEdit Project Folder, and Reveal in Finder.

UpDock Auto Folder

Function: Builds a menu from the current contents of its linked Finder folder.

Contextual menu: Open, return to Finder Folder, use as BBEdit Project Folder, and Reveal in Finder.

BBEdit Project Folder

Function: Opens its linked Finder folder as a project in BBEdit.

Contextual menu: Open, return to Finder Folder, use as UpDock Auto Folder, and Reveal in Finder.

UpDock Folder

Function: Reveals Dock Items and nested UpDock Folders saved inside the Mini-Dock.

Contextual menu: Open, folder-mode choices when a Finder target is attached, and the shared commands. Use Mini-Dock Contents in Settings for folder hierarchy commands.

Drag and drop
  • From Finder: Drag apps, files, folders, audio, or video onto a live Mini-Dock, the Settings Drop Zone, or a Mini-Dock in the list to create the corresponding Dock Items.
  • From a browser or text source: Drop URL text to create a named URL Dock Item. Drop ordinary text to create a named Clipping.
  • Within a Mini-Dock: Drag Dock Items to change their order. Use Mini-Dock Contents to drag items into or out of UpDock Folders and nested folders.
  • Between Mini-Docks: Drag a Dock Item from one Mini-Dock to another. Palette Mini-Docks are designed as reusable sources for copying items without dismantling the palette.
  • Onto an Application: Drop a compatible Finder file onto an Application Dock Item to open that file with the app.
  • Media out of UpDock: Drag local Media to Finder or a compatible editor. UpDock supplies the original file when untrimmed and renders the selected range when the item has a clip range.

UpDock shows a target or insertion line when a drop is accepted. If no target appears, move the pointer over the Mini-Dock background, Drop Zone, destination folder, or intended item before releasing.

Settings window · first column

The Mini-Dock list

Where you create and manage your Mini-Docks.

Buttons and controls above the Mini-Docks list
  • Search Mini-Docks finds Mini-Docks and Dock Items by name. Clicking a Mini-Dock in the results selects it for configuration; double-clicking also activates it.
  • √ temporarily puts active Mini-Docks at the top of the list. Click it a second time to restore your saved order.
  • ABC temporarily sorts the list alphabetically. Click it a second time to restore your saved order.
  • Add Mini-Dock creates a new Mini-Dock from the current default, ready to configure.
Reading and arranging the Mini-Docks list
  • Reorder handle: Drag this handle to change where a Mini-Dock appears in your saved list order.
  • Activation indicator: √ indicates an active Mini-Dock. ∞ indicates a Mini-Dock configured for app pairing; see the Mini-Dock Control Panel.
  • Screen Edge: Shows which edge of the screen the Mini-Dock uses: left, right, or bottom.
  • Drag within the list to move Mini-Docks into your preferred saved order.
  • Drop onto a Mini-Dock in the list to copy Dock Items from another Mini-Dock or Finder into it.
Mini-Dock list contextual menu

Right-click or Control-click a Mini-Dock in the list to display its contextual menu.

  • Activate This Mini-Dock / Deactivate This Mini-Dock

    Changes the active state of the Mini-Dock. A newly activated Mini-Dock briefly appears at its assigned edge.

  • Use This Mini-Dock as Default / Stop Using This Mini-Dock as Default

    Chooses whether this Mini-Dock supplies the Dock Items used when you create a new Mini-Dock. If no personal default is designated, UpDock uses its factory default.

  • Use as Palette Mini-Dock / Stop Using as Palette Mini-Dock

    Marks a Mini-Dock as a reusable source whose Dock Items can be dragged into other Mini-Docks.

  • Use for Shift Items / Stop Using for Shift Items

    Chooses whether this Mini-Dock supplies the additional Dock Items shown at the beginning of a Mini-Dock while Shift is held. If none is designated, UpDock uses its factory Shift Items.

  • Move to Top / Move to Bottom

    Moves the selected Mini-Dock to the beginning or end of the saved list order. You can use these commands while temporary √ or ABC sorting is active; UpDock returns the list to saved-order view.

  • Apply Factory Defaults to This Mini-Dock / Apply My Defaults to This Mini-Dock

    Replaces the selected Mini-Dock’s Dock Items with the factory items or the items from your designated default Mini-Dock. Its other Mini-Dock settings remain unchanged.

Buttons and controls below the Mini-Docks list
  • Reset Defaults replaces all UpDock settings with factory defaults. Export your settings first if you may want to restore the current setup.
  • Duplicate Selected makes a separate copy of the selected Mini-Dock that you can adapt and configure.
  • Delete Selected removes the selected Mini-Dock.
  • Export Settings… saves all settings and Mini-Docks as a backup or transfer file.
  • Export Mini-Dock… saves only the selected Mini-Dock.
  • Share Mini-Dock… creates a shareable Mini-Dock package with a preview image.
  • Import… previews and imports a .updock file or compatible legacy JSON. A full-settings file replaces the corresponding settings; Mini-Dock packages add their Mini-Docks.

Import and export availability depends on the UpDock edition.

Apple Dock Edge

UpDock avoids competing with the Apple Dock by using its location when deciding where and how Mini-Docks reveal.

UpDock Pro automatically detects the Apple Dock edge and updates when its location changes.

UpDock Free and UpDock+ let you designate the Apple Dock’s current edge—left, right, or bottom. Update this setting if you later move the Apple Dock in macOS System Settings.

Continue to the Accessibility guide

Settings window · second column

Mini-Dock Configuration

A display of the currently selected Mini-Dock where you configure its behavior and contents.

Mini-Dock controls
  • Active: Activates the selected Mini-Dock on its assigned screen edge. Turning Active off preserves the Mini-Dock and its Dock Items.
  • Mini-Dock Control Panel…: Opens a separate panel with label, accessibility, app-pairing, icon-size, trigger, and auto-hide controls. Each control is described below.
  • Name: Changes the displayed name of the selected Mini-Dock.
  • Edge: Chooses the left, right, or bottom screen edge where the Mini-Dock appears. The edge occupied by Apple’s Dock is unavailable.
Mini-Dock Contents button and hierarchy window

The Mini-Dock Contents button above the Dock Item list opens a hierarchy window showing every top-level Dock Item, UpDock Folder, and nested Dock Item.

  • Expand All / Collapse All: Expands or collapses every UpDock Folder, revealing or concealing its nested contents.
  • Drag items: Reorders Dock Items or moves them into and out of UpDock Folders. You can also drop Finder items into the hierarchy.
  • New Folder: Creates an empty UpDock Folder at the top level, or creates a folder containing the currently selected items.
  • Delete: Deletes the selected Dock Items or folders.

Contextual menu options for UpDock Folders

  • Rename

    Changes the selected folder’s displayed name.

  • New Folder Inside

    Creates a new UpDock Folder nested inside the selected folder.

  • Create Mini-Dock from Folder

    Creates a new Mini-Dock named after the folder and copies the folder’s contents into it.

  • Copy Folder to Mini-Dock

    Copies the selected folder and its contents to the Mini-Dock you choose from the submenu.

  • Delete

    Deletes the selected folder and its nested Dock Items from this Mini-Dock.

Contextual menu options for other Dock Items

  • Rename: Changes the Dock Item’s displayed name.
  • Delete: Deletes the Dock Item from this Mini-Dock.
Mini-Dock Items list and Item menu

The list displays the Mini-Dock’s top-level Dock Items in their saved order—top to bottom for side Mini-Docks and left to right for bottom Mini-Docks. Each row shows the item’s name, kind or target, and storage status when applicable. Drag rows to change their order; use Mini-Dock Contents to work with nested items.

Select the menu button at the right of a Dock Item for the commands available to that item type.

  • Open / Run / Run Search

    Performs the same primary action as clicking the Dock Item in a live Mini-Dock.

  • Edit URL…, Edit AppleScript…, Edit Shell Script…, Edit UpDock Search…, Edit in Automator, or Edit Media…

    Opens the editor or settings appropriate to that Dock Item type.

  • Rename

    Changes the Dock Item’s displayed name without renaming the app, file, folder, or other object it references.

  • Add Copy to Existing Folder…

    Creates a representation of the Dock Item in a Finder folder you choose. Availability depends on the Dock Item type.

  • Create Folder with This Item…

    Creates a new Finder folder at the location you choose and places a representation of the Dock Item inside it.

  • Use as UpDock Auto Folder / Use as Finder Folder

    Switches a Finder folder between an ordinary folder Dock Item and an automatically generated UpDock folder menu.

  • Use as BBEdit Project Folder / Use as Finder Folder

    Switches a Finder folder between opening normally and opening as a project in BBEdit.

  • Reveal in Finder

    Shows the linked app, file, folder, workflow, or other Finder object.

  • Refresh Bookmark

    Reauthorizes a Finder-backed Dock Item if its saved access or location is no longer working correctly.

  • Refresh Icon

    Retrieves the website icon again for a URL Dock Item.

  • Export Media Clip… / Export Media File…

    Exports a local Media Dock Item, using its selected playback range when one is set.

  • Choose Custom Icon…, Paste Custom Icon, or Restore Default Icon

    Chooses an image from the UpDock custom-icon library or another location, pastes an image from the Clipboard, or returns to the item’s standard icon. Images chosen from elsewhere are saved to the library.

  • Add Separator Above / Add Separator Below

    Adds a visual separator immediately before or after the Dock Item.

  • Remove

    Deletes the Dock Item from the Mini-Dock.

The Drop Zone

Drop Finder items or text into the highlighted area to add them to the selected Mini-Dock.

  • Finder apps, files, folders, audio, and video become the corresponding kinds of Dock Items.
  • URL text opens a confirmation where you can name the new URL Dock Item.
  • Other text opens a confirmation where you can name the new Clipping Dock Item.
Add Items menu buttons

Add Finder Items

  • Add Application…

    Adds an application selected in Finder.

  • Add File…

    Adds a document or other file.

  • Add Audio or Video…

    Adds a local Media Dock Item.

  • Add Apple Music Link…

    Adds a shared Apple Music song or playlist URL.

  • Add Folder…

    Adds an ordinary Finder folder.

  • Add Folder as BBEdit Project…

    Adds a folder that opens as a project in BBEdit.

  • Add Folder as UpDock Auto Folder…

    Adds a folder whose current Finder contents generate an UpDock menu.

  • Add Items Selected in Finder…

    In UpDock Pro, adds the items currently selected in Finder.

  • Add Multiple Items…

    Lets you select and add several Finder items at once.

  • Add Finder Icon

    Adds Finder itself as an Application Dock Item.

Add URL

  • Add URL…

    Adds a web or supported app link and lets you specify its displayed name.

  • Add Current Safari Tabs

    In UpDock Pro, adds the tabs from the front Safari window.

  • Add Current Google Chrome Tabs

    In UpDock Pro, adds the tabs from the front Google Chrome window.

Shortcuts and Automation

UpDock Free and UpDock+ provide an Add Shortcuts button for selecting one or more shortcuts from the Shortcuts app.

UpDock Pro provides an Add Automation menu:

  • Add AppleScript…

    Creates an AppleScript Dock Item and opens its editor.

  • Add Shell Script…

    Creates a shell-script Dock Item and opens its editor.

  • Add UpDock Search…

    Creates a reusable folder search and opens its settings.

  • Add Shortcut…

    Adds a shortcut selected from the Shortcuts app.

  • Add Automator Workflow…

    Adds an existing Automator workflow file.

Shift Items and palettes

The Shift Items Mini-Dock supplies additional Dock Items at the beginning of a Mini-Dock while you press and hold Shift. UpDock Plus and UpDock Pro users can customize the Shift Items Mini-Dock.

A Palette Mini-Dock is a reusable source: drag its Dock Items into other Mini-Docks without dismantling the palette.

Mini-Dock Control Panel

Select Mini-Dock Control Panel… to configure the selected Mini-Dock’s appearance, accessibility, activation, and timing.

  • Labels: Always Show / Hover Bubble

    Always Show keeps Dock Item labels visible. Hover Bubble shows a label when the pointer is over an item.

  • Accessibility mode

    Uses 80-point icons and 24-point labels while preserving the Mini-Dock’s normal icon-size setting.

  • Speak Mini-Dock and item labels on hover

    Uses the macOS system voice to speak the Mini-Dock name and Dock Item labels as the pointer enters them.

  • App Pairing

    In UpDock Plus and UpDock Pro, temporarily activates this Mini-Dock while a chosen app is frontmost or running. Choose, change, or remove the paired application, then select While Frontmost or While Running. Pairing does not change the saved Active setting.

  • Icon size

    Sets the Mini-Dock’s normal Dock Item icon size from 24 to 80 points.

  • Trigger thickness

    Sets the depth of the invisible screen-edge area that reveals the Mini-Dock.

  • Trigger delay

    Sets how long the pointer must remain at the screen edge before the Mini-Dock appears.

  • Auto-hide delay

    Sets how long the Mini-Dock waits before hiding, or chooses Keep Open.

  • Use These Settings as Default for New Mini-Docks

    Saves the current label, accessibility, icon-size, trigger, and auto-hide settings for Mini-Docks created later. Existing Mini-Docks and default Dock Item contents are not changed.

  • Done

    Closes the Mini-Dock Control Panel.

Settings window · third column

UpDock Status

The Status column shows the current app version, licensing and launch state, support tools, and recent automation activity. Select the Show Status button—labelled for your UpDock edition—at the bottom of the first Settings column to reveal it.

Licensing and Launch at Login

The top of the Status column identifies the UpDock edition and shows its complete version and build number.

UpDock Pro licensing

  • License status

    Shows whether UpDock Pro is licensed, activating, running in Free mode, or unable to validate a license. Beta licenses also show their expiration date.

  • License number and Activate

    Enter an UpDock Pro license number and select Activate to license this Mac.

  • Import License File…

    Imports an UpDock Pro license supplied as an UpDock license or compatible JSON file.

  • Deactivate

    Deactivates UpDock Pro on this Mac without preventing the license from being used on other authorized Macs.

UpDock Free and UpDock+ are licensed through the Mac App Store. Upgrade and Restore Purchases controls appear in the main Settings header rather than in this Status group.

Launch UpDock at Login

  • Launch UpDock at Login

    Controls whether UpDock starts automatically after you log in. It is enabled by default on a new installation.

  • Open Login Items Settings…

    Appears when macOS requires approval or has overridden the requested setting. Opens System Settings → General → Login Items so you can authorize or manage UpDock.

Diagnostics

Diagnostics provides recovery and support tools without changing your Mini-Docks unless you choose to restore a backup.

  • Restore From Backup…

    Lists UpDock’s saved automatic backups and restores the one you choose. Restoring replaces the current UpDock settings.

  • Copy Diagnostics

    Copies a technical report to the Clipboard. The report includes app and macOS versions, edition and license state, Launch at Login state, Mini-Dock configuration, Dock Item storage details, and recent support information.

  • Contact Support

    Creates an email to UpDock Support with version, macOS, and diagnostic information included. Add a description of the issue before sending.

Automation logging

Automation History records recent automation commands and Dock Item runs so you can inspect results and troubleshoot failures.

  • History kind

    UpDock Pro can display AppleScript, Automator, or Shell Script history. UpDock Free and UpDock+ display AppleScript history.

  • History display

    Shows the selected history as selectable monospaced text, including available dates, item names, commands, success or failure, messages, and output.

  • Copy [Kind] History

    Copies the currently selected automation history to the Clipboard.

  • Clear [Kind] History

    Deletes the recorded entries for the currently selected automation kind.

  • Copy All Histories

    Copies every automation history available in the current UpDock edition.

  • Clear All Histories

    Deletes every automation-history entry available in the current UpDock edition.

Kinds of Dock Items

Application

Opens an app on your Mac. Add one using the Add Finder Items button or by dragging an app icon from Finder onto a Mini-Dock.

File

Opens a document in its default app. Add one using the Add Finder Items… button or by dragging a file icon from Finder onto a Mini-Dock.

URL

Opens a web or supported app link. Add one using the Add URL… button, or drag and drop URL text and confirm its name.

Clipping

Stores ordinary text. Clicking inserts the text at the current app’s cursor. Add one by dragging and dropping text onto a Mini-Dock.

Shortcut

Runs an Apple Shortcut. Add one using the Add Automation button.

Separator

Adds visual space between groups. It does not open anything.

AppleScript

Runs saved AppleScript source. Pro includes editing, runner choices, debugging, and history. See the Automation section.

Shell Script

Runs saved shell commands with the selected interpreter and icon. See the Automation section.

UpDock Search

Runs a reusable text search against a chosen folder and presents matching files and lines. See the Automation section.

Automator Workflow

Runs an existing Automator workflow file. See the Automation section.

Media

Plays audio, previews video, or opens a saved Apple Music song or playlist. See the Media guide below.

Media

Media Dock Items turn a Mini-Dock into a soundboard, reference shelf, or compact video launcher.

Choose Add Finder Items → Add Audio or Video for a local file, or Add Apple Music Link for a shared song or playlist URL.

Local audio

Click to play immediately. Multiple items can play independently, and clicking again retriggers the sound. Media Settings can set volume and a non-destructive start and end range.

Local video

Click to open an UpDock video preview with playback controls. The original file remains unchanged when you adjust its volume or playback range.

Apple Music

Paste a shared music.apple.com song or playlist link. UpDock saves the reference and opens it in Music; it does not copy or modify the music.

Dragging and exporting

Drag an untrimmed local Media item to Finder or a compatible editor to use its original file. If the item has a range, UpDock renders that range for dragging or Export Media Clip. Control-click an untrimmed item for Export Media File.

Media sample Mini-Docks

Use a downloadable sample as a starting point, then replace its items with your own media. Coming soon.

Folders and special folders

Finder Folder

Opens an ordinary folder in Finder. UpDock treats it as one Dock Item and does not import or show the folder’s contents.

UpDock Auto Folder

Uses a chosen Finder folder as the source for an automatically generated menu. Use it when the folder’s current files should determine the menu.

BBEdit Project Folder

Opens a Finder folder as a BBEdit project. When clicked, the folder opens in BBEdit as a project.

UpDock Folder

An UpDock container that holds the same Dock Items a Mini-Dock can hold. Subfolders can include more Dock Items, allowing for a useful hierarchy.