DockDoor

DockDoor is a macOS application that adds two main functions to the system: window previews from the Dock and a window switcher (alt-tab) with thumbnails. The program operates in the background, integrating these capabilities into the desktop workflow.

★★★★★

5.0(1 ratings)

• Dock preview. Hovering the cursor over an application's icon in the Dock displays a thumbnail image of its active window. This preview offers a view of the current content without needing to switch context or restore minimized windows. The thumbnail size is user-configurable.
• Window switcher with thumbnails. Using the Ctrl+Tab key combination activates a menu showing thumbnails of open windows. While holding down the Ctrl key, you navigate with Tab or Shift+Tab to select the desired window. Releasing the keys brings the selected window to the foreground.
• Preview delay control. The application allows you to adjust the time the cursor must remain over a Dock icon before the thumbnail appears. This adjustment prevents accidental preview activation during normal cursor movement across the Dock.
• Thumbnail size adjustment. The user defines the dimensions of the preview window. A custom width and height are set, maintaining the original aspect ratio of the application window or conforming to the defined parameters.
• Window update buffer. This function controls how frequently the application captures window content to generate thumbnails. A longer interval reduces system resource usage, while a shorter one provides more up-to-date previews.
• Specific application exclusion. You can define a list of applications for which DockDoor will not show previews. This feature is relevant for applications with sensitive content or windows that do not require this type of preview.
• Window state filtering. The system differentiates between minimized windows, foreground windows, and background windows. The Dock preview works only for windows that are not minimized and are visible on the desktop.
• Cyclic window navigation. The window switcher features continuous scrolling. Upon reaching the last window in the list, the selection returns to the first, facilitating navigation without using the mouse.
• Representation of off-screen windows. If a window is partially outside the screen boundaries, the generated thumbnail will crop the non-visible section. The preview shows only the portion of the window that the user can see on the desktop.
• Multiple monitor support. The application manages windows distributed across multiple monitors connected to the system. Thumbnails and the switcher include windows from all active screens, consolidating control into a single interface.
• Silent mode operation. DockDoor runs from the macOS menu bar without any visible main interface windows. All configuration is done from a preferences panel accessible from the menu bar icon, keeping the desktop uncluttered.
• Visual activity indicator. During the capture of a window to generate the thumbnail, a subtle indicator can be shown. This feedback confirms to the user that the preview operation is being processed.
• Accessibility permissions management. The application requires and manages macOS system permissions to control windows. It guides the user through the process of granting these permissions in System Settings so that all functions operate correctly.

The development of DockDoor began in 2023 as a project to add features present in other operating systems to macOS. The creators are developers who identified the absence of a native window preview from the Dock. The application is written in Swift, using the SwiftUI framework for the user interface, which guarantees native integration and performance within the macOS ecosystem.

Alternatives to DockDoor:

WindowTop

WindowTop is a Windows utility that keeps any window always on top, controls opacity, enables interactive Picture-in-Picture mode, forces dark mode on unsupported windows, crops window regions, and manages multiple windows using an anchor system.

Price: Free   Size: 25.63 MB   Version: 5.31.8   OS: Windows

C-Organizer

C-Organizer is a personal information management application developed by CSoftLab, designed to centralize contacts, appointments, tasks, and notes within a single interface.

Price: Free   Size: 30.5 MB   Version: 11.0   OS: Windows

Fenestrae

Fenestrae is software for Windows 11 that solves two common problems in multi-monitor setups: windows scattering whenever the display configuration changes, and the tedious manual alignment of windows.

Price: $20   Size: 45.2 MB   Version: 1.0   OS: Windows

Desktop Switcher

Desktop Switcher is a Windows utility that enables navigation through virtual desktops by moving the cursor to the bottom screen edge and scrolling the mouse wheel.

Price: $2.50   Size: 0.6 MB   Version: 1.0   OS: Windows