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[Feature]: Option to launch without showing the main window #63

Description

@ente0

Is your feature request related to a problem?

Summary

When Pindrop is configured to launch at login, the main window appears automatically after a few seconds, even when the app is launched with the macOS -j (hidden) flag via a LaunchAgent.

As a pure menu bar app, Pindrop should ideally have an option to start completely silently — appearing only in the menu bar without ever showing its main window.

Current behavior

  • Pindrop launches at login (via Login Items or LaunchAgent)
  • After a few seconds, the main window opens automatically
  • There is no setting to suppress this behavior
  • Launching with open -jg /Applications/Pindrop.app does not prevent the window from appearing
  • NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows, NSWindowRestoresWorkspaceAtLaunch, and ApplePersistenceIgnoreState defaults have no effect

Expected behavior

An option in Settings such as "Launch without showing window" or "Start minimized to menu bar" that prevents the main window from opening on startup. The app would still be accessible via the menu bar icon.

Why this matters

Pindrop is designed as a menu bar app (LSUIElement = 1, showInDock = 0). Users who rely on it as a background utility expect it to behave like other silent menu bar apps (e.g., Tailscale, Rectangle) — present in the menu bar, invisible otherwise. The window appearing on every login is disruptive, especially on multi-monitor setups or when using the app as part of an automated login configuration.

Environment

  • macOS: Apple Silicon
  • Pindrop version: latest
  • Launch method: LaunchAgent (RunAtLoad = true)

Describe the solution you'd like

A boolean preference (e.g., launchWindowless) that, when enabled, skips the initial window.makeKeyAndOrderFront() call on startup. The window would still be accessible by clicking the menu bar icon.

Describe alternatives you've considered

No response

Feature Scope

None

How important is this feature to you?

None

Additional context

No response

Contribution

  • I'd like to work on this feature myself

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