Dockside for Mac:
Drag, Drop, Done.

Dockside is your friendly file shelf app for Mac, living next to your Dock and making the most of the unused space around it for quick access to your frequently used items on your Mac—without ever getting in your way. Drag and drop files, folders, links, apps, and even text snippets for immediate or later use on the left. Quickly access your recent screenshots and downloads, or even monitor your favorite folders on the right.

Dockside is Apple notarized, ensuring it meets Apple's high security standards. Explore the full app with a free 14-day trial, or purchase a lifetime license for $5.99, no subscriptions.

Native Swift app—fast and responsive. Supports macOS 13.0+ (Ventura+). Download below or Install via Homebrew.

Download 14-day Free Trial
Buy Lifetime License  ($5.99)
Homebrew brew install --cask dockside
v2.0.6Latest release: Mar 7, 2026100+ releases

Reviews

Loved by Dockside Users

5.0 ★★★★★

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Dockside is the perfect companion to your Dock

Whether you're studying for exams, tackling creative projects, managing tasks at work, coding your next app, or simply using your Mac for everyday tasks, Dockside is the ultimate Dock companion—streamlining your workflow and always ready when you need it. Dockside speaks your language—supporting Chinese, Spanish, German, Korean, and Japanese.

Flexibility

Wherever your Dock goes, Dockside follows

Works with the Dock in any mode—bottom, left, or right. Pin to any screen, pin to any edge. Your setup, your rules.

Dockside on left edge – vertical dock mode
Works on any edge
Pin Dockside to any screen
Pin to any screen
Position on screen – Left, Bottom, Right
Pin to any edge

Customise your experience

Make the Dockside work for you

Dockside offers extensive customisation with fine-grained controls, allowing you to tailor its behavior, appearance, and functionality to suit your workflow. Set up drop zones to run workflows and automation—Shortcuts, AppleScript, CLI commands, utilities, and more—right from the shelf. Explore the features below.

Shelf features:

Drag and Drop Anything

Easily drag and drop files, folders, apps, images, videos, links, and even plain text.

Create Quick Notes

Capture quick notes, a click away for those times when you need to jot something down quickly. Supports different types and opens using existing apps.

Utilities

Dockside offers a range of file utilities on the items in shelf - reduce file size, compress as zip, remove image metadata, extract text from image, upload to cloud to generate a shareable link and many more...

App Drawer

Drag and drop apps into Dockside for quick access, and they will automatically be stored in the App Drawer!

More than just a shelf:

Downloads and Screenshots

Your most recent downloads and screenshots are always available in Dockside, ready to share.

Customisable Shelves

Tailor your Dockside experience by configuring these shelves to monitor your favorite folders or the “Recents” shelf. Quickly access what you need most, all from within Dockside.

Super Quick Previews

Quick Look previews for commonly used files and a custom scrollable text previews for easy viewing of longer code files and documents.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Use familiar macOS shortcuts like copy, paste, select all, and delete—Dockside functions just like Finder for a seamless experience.

Drop zones:

Run Shortcuts, Scripts, Utilities, CLI commands–your whole workflow—from one place.

Four Zones. Unlimited Possibilities.

Set up to four drop zones on your shelf—each one triggers a different action. Configure the action, destination and post-drop actions to create a custom workflow.

Script It Your Way

Run Shortcuts, Scripts, Utilities, CLI commands–your whole workflow—from one place. Automate renaming, convert formats, sync folders, or pipe files into your favourite tools & apps—no Terminal window required.

Utilities

Compress, convert, upload, or send files to any app that supports them. Your existing workflows, right on the shelf.

Power User Ready

Built for anyone who likes to automate. Chain scripts, Shortcuts, and utilities so the right action runs on the right zone—every time. Less clicking, more doing.

Utilities & Integrations:

Optimise Images, Videos, and PDFs (via Clop)

Easily reduce file sizes with a single click for streamlined storage and sharing. Uses Clop app, fully integrated into Dockside.

Upload Files to the Cloud (via Dropshare)

Upload files and instantly share links using Dropshare app, which supports over 29 cloud services.

Apple Shortcuts and Services

Run workflow-related Shortcuts directly from shelf items and access Services seamlessly within Dockside.

Third-Party App Integration, Scripting, and Automation

Integrate your app with Dockside with ease, and automate your workflows using AppleScript. Check out our detailed Integration User Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Want to know more, check our detailed usage guide: Dockside Usage Tips

Controls and Settings:

Change the Style

Switch between a clear, transparent style for distraction-free use, or a Dock-like style with both light and dark mode settings with an additional option to hide the Dockside automatically.

Store Item References or Copies

Choose whether to drop an item reference for quick access or make a copy directly into Dockside for safekeeping.

Adjust Space for Screenshots and Downloads

Customise the space allocated for recent screenshots and downloads, prioritising whichever you use more frequently OR use this shelf to monitor your favourite folders or even Recent files.

Customise Drag and Drop Behaviour

Control how items behave when dragged—choose to copy, move, or customise the action based on your workflow needs.

Feature requests or bugs? Submit it here

Licensing

Pay Once, Use Forever.

Simple pricing, one choice, no hidden fees, no subscriptions.

Lifetime

standard

Personal use

$ 5.99
Lifetime License
  • Lifetime license
  • Up to 3 devices
  • Unlimited updates and support
Buy License

Integrations

Works with your favourite apps

Dockside integrates seamlessly with tools you already use.

Clop icon Clop Popclip icon Popclip Dropshare icon Dropshare
Add yours

Privacy first

Your Data, Only on Your Device

Dockside is designed with your privacy as a top priority. It ensures that all your files, data, and activities stay secure on your device, without ever leaving your machine.

No data collection

Dockside does not collect any data—your files, actions, and usage remain entirely on your device. There are no background processes sending information anywhere.

Operates offline

Dockside works entirely offline, with the only exception being a one-time license activation. After that, the app functions without any internet connection, keeping your data local and private.

No external servers

Your files and data never leave your machine. Dockside does not interact with any external servers, ensuring everything stays on your local device for complete security.

Apple Notarized

Dockside is Apple Notarized, meaning it has been verified by Apple to be free of malware. This further ensures the security and privacy of the app on your Mac.

Uses only Apple APIs

Dockside exclusively uses Apple’s secure and vetted APIs, ensuring that the app follows strict privacy and security guidelines, providing a seamless and trusted experience.

Developed with care

As an indie developer, I built Dockside with a focus on privacy and utility. I have no need for your data and no interest in collecting it—my goal is to provide a simple, efficient tool for managing your files while keeping your privacy intact.

Are you a developer, looking to integrate your app with Dockside? Check out: Third-party App Integrations

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about Dockside

Is Dockside safe to use?

Yes! Dockside is Apple Notarized, which means it has passed Apple’s security checks and is free from malware. It also operates entirely offline, uses native APIs, ensuring your files and data stay on your device.

Can I try Dockside before buying it?

Absolutely! Dockside offers a 14-day free trial so you can explore all of its features before deciding to purchase a lifetime license for $5.99.

Does Dockside store my files or data in the cloud?

No, Dockside does not use any external servers. All your files, actions, and data remain entirely on your device, ensuring your privacy and security.

What happens after my free trial ends?

After the 14-day trial period, Dockside will prompt you to purchase a lifetime license for $5.99. Once purchased, all features will remain unlocked permanently—no subscriptions, just a one-time fee.

What's the future roadmap for Dockside?

With enough support, Dockside aims to add more workflow-enhancing features. See the product roadmap and feel free to drop in your feature requests.

How can I customise Dockside to suit my workflow?

Dockside offers various customisation options. You can switch between themes, adjust space allocation for recent screenshots and downloads, and even choose how items behave when dragged—whether to copy, move, or take another action that fits your workflow needs.

Does it support multiple monitors and multiple Desktops?

Dockside fully supports multiple monitors including multiple Desktops. Just like the Dock, it stays on the primary monitor next to the Dock. Simply put, wherever the Dock goes, Dockside follows. You can also manually pin the Dockside to a specific screen/display if you need to.

Does it support hidden Dock or full screen apps?

Yes, Dockside will remain hidden whenever the Dock is hidden, whether in hidden mode or during full-screen apps. When you need to access Dockside, simply move your mouse to the bottom of the screen, and it will appear right where you would expect it, just like the Dock.

Does Dockside integrate with other apps OR others app integrate with Dockside?

Yes, apps can integrate with Dockside to send plain text or files/folders to the shelf. See Third-party App Integrations for more info.

Is this a Dock replacement app?

No, Dockside is more like a Dock companion app. See Dockside Usage Tips