2 min read
Step 5: Polish
Refine the experience.
Where We Are
QuickNotes works and saves data. Let’s make it feel polished.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Add keyboard shortcuts:
- Cmd+N to create a new note
- Cmd+W to close the popover
- Cmd+Backspace to delete the current noteVisual Polish
Refine the look:
- Use a clean, minimal design
- Add subtle separators between the note list and editor
- Style the header with the app name
- Make the note list items show a preview of content
- Add a character or word count at the bottomAdd a Quit Option
Right-clicking the menu bar icon should show a context menu with:
- "New Note"
- A separator
- "Quit QuickNotes"Launch at Login (Optional)
Add an option to launch QuickNotes automatically at login.
Use SMAppService or LaunchAtLogin. Add a toggle in the right-click menu.Checkpoint
By now you should have:
- Keyboard shortcuts work
- Clean, polished design
- Right-click menu on status bar icon
- App feels like a real utility
What You Built
A fully functional macOS menu bar app. It lives in your menu bar, lets you jot notes instantly, saves everything automatically, and feels like a native Mac utility.
Keep Going
Ideas to extend:
- Markdown support with preview
- Search across all notes
- Pin favorite notes to the top
- Sync via iCloud
- Export notes as text files
Next Project
Try Weather (Web) or HabitTracker (iOS).
Or explore the Guides to learn specific techniques.