I’ve been working with a distributed team for years, and one workflow pattern keeps repeating. I need to jump into specific Zoom meetings, open particular Slack channels, or launch Spotify playlists multiple times throughout the day. The usual approach involves digging through browser bookmarks, searching Spotlight, or manually navigating through apps. I recently discovered ExtraBar, which solves this problem by letting you create custom actions that live directly in your menu bar.
Unlike menu bar managers that simply organize existing icons, ExtraBar focuses on creating personalized shortcuts. The distinction matters. Apps like Bartender and Ice help you hide icons you already have, but ExtraBar lets you build new actions from scratch. Want a button that opens your daily standup Zoom link? Done. Need instant access to a specific Figma file or Slack channel? Create an action for it.
The app supports deep links, which is where it gets genuinely useful. These are special URLs that jump directly to specific content within apps rather than just launching the application. I’ve set up actions for recurring meetings, frequently referenced design files, and project-specific Spotify playlists. Each action appears as a clickable icon in my menu bar, saving me from the usual hunting through browser tabs and application windows.
ExtraBar offers two display modes. The default integrates your custom actions inline with your native menu bar, which works well if you have space available. The alternative is a separate floating bar that appears on demand with a keyboard shortcut. I’m using the floating bar approach since my menu bar was already crowded with system monitors and utilities. The keyboard navigation is solid, with support for number keys and arrow key movement between actions.
Configuration is straightforward. You define each action with a name, icon, and URL. The app includes keyboard shortcuts for quick access, and you can export your entire setup to transfer it across multiple Macs. This export feature proved handy when I set up my Mac Mini and wanted identical shortcuts on both machines.
The privacy approach is worth mentioning. ExtraBar requires zero system permissions by default. Optional accessibility permissions enable enhanced keyboard navigation, but the app functions perfectly without them. Everything runs locally on your Mac with no analytics or telemetry. The only network connection happens during initial license activation.
System requirements are macOS 12.4 or later, including support for the latest macOS 26 Tahoe. The app runs efficiently with minimal memory footprint and CPU usage. I haven’t noticed any performance impact even with a dozen custom actions configured.
Pricing sits at €9.99 as a launch offer through January 31, after which it increases to €24.99 for lifetime access. There’s a 14-day money-back guarantee but no free trial available. The developer, Appit Studio, positioned this as a one-time purchase rather than subscription, which aligns with preferences for utility software of this nature.
The app isn’t for everyone. If you primarily use App Store applications and don’t work with deep links or custom URLs, the value proposition diminishes significantly. The real benefit emerges when you have specific workflows that involve jumping to particular content within apps throughout your day. Users who coordinate across time zones and manage multiple recurring meetings will find more immediate utility than those with simpler workflows.
I’ve encountered one limitation. The app doesn’t integrate with native macOS shortcuts or Automator workflows, which would expand its capabilities considerably. Adding an action requires manually finding and entering the deep link URL, which can involve some detective work in certain applications. A browser extension or helper that captures deep links automatically would improve the setup experience.
ExtraBar serves a specific need. It transforms your menu bar from passive icon storage into an active workflow launcher. For anyone managing complex multi-app workflows with frequent context switching, it provides measurable time savings. The offline operation, permission-minimal approach, and export capability make it particularly appealing for privacy-conscious users working across multiple machines.
