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[ARTICLE · art-80451] src=dev.to ↗ pub= topic=developer-tools verified=true sentiment=· neutral

I spend too much time switching between apps, tabs, folders and windows… does anyone else?

A developer is exploring the idea of a productivity app that reduces context switching by keeping frequently used content—such as project folders, terminal commands, documentation, websites, and AI tools—permanently accessible on the desktop or menu bar. The concept aims to streamline workflows by providing one-click access to entire workspaces without replacing existing tools.

read2 min views1 publishedJul 30, 2026

I’ve been thinking about a productivity app and I’m curious if it’s something other people would actually find useful.

One thing that slows me down every day is context switching. I work on multiple projects, and I’m constantly jumping between Finder, browsers, terminal windows, documentation, Slack, emails, and a bunch of web apps. Individually, none of these actions take long, but after doing them hundreds of times a day, it adds up.

I started wondering: what if your most-used content was always available without having to search for it?

I’m not talking about another launcher or another app switcher. I mean being able to keep things like project folders, terminal commands, documentation, websites, notes, AI tools, calendars, emails, or even live dashboards permanently accessible on your desktop or in your menu bar.

For example, imagine having a menu bar icon with all the shortcuts related to the project you’re currently working on. Click it, and everything is there: folders, files, repositories, documentation, terminal commands, apps, websites, essentially your entire workspace in one place. Instead of hunting through Finder or your browser, you can open what you need or switch between projects in just a couple of clicks. Become a Medium member

Or imagine having floating bubbles for different parts of your life: one for development resources, one for work email and calendars, one for finance (TradingView, InvestingPro, currency converter), another for personal stuff, another for AI tools… all ready to use whenever you need them.

The goal wouldn’t be to replace the tools you already use, they each do their job really well. Instead, the idea is to make them work better together by reducing the friction of your daily workflow and keeping everything you use most just one click away.

I’m genuinely curious:

I’d really appreciate honest feedback. If you think it’s a terrible idea, I’d rather hear that now than spend months building something nobody wants.

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