System-wide
One menu-bar app protects the top edge across full-screen apps. There is nothing to configure per app.
Inspect the system-wide event tap on GitHub →Native macOS menu-bar utility
Stop the menu bar appearing in full screen on your Mac
Menu Bar Gate stops the pointer 4 points below the top edge in full-screen apps. Hold Control—or another key you choose—to pass through and reveal the menu bar. It works system-wide.
No Hammerspoon setup or Lua scripts required.
Free to use · v1.0.1 release notes · macOS 13+ · M1 or newer
One tiny gate. Everywhere.
Built for this one job
Out of the way
Protection runs only in full screen by default. Pause it, quit it, or leave full screen and pointer movement is normal.
Inspect full-screen detection on GitHub →Yours to adjust
Change the gate key, edge clearance, full-screen-only behavior, and Launch at Login from the menu-bar icon.
Inspect the settings code on GitHub →How it works
Small enough to understand
The native Swift runtime is 480 lines across seven files, with no third-party packages. Browse all 480 lines on GitHub.
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1
Check the context
By default, the app checks whether the frontmost window is full screen and whether your gate key is held. It never reads screen pixels.
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2
Stop only at the edge
If the key is not held, entering the protected strip changes only the pointer's vertical position. Its horizontal position stays untouched.
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3
Hold a key to pass
Hold Control—or your chosen key—and pointer events pass through unchanged, letting macOS reveal the menu bar normally.
Explore Menu Bar Gate on GitHub
Read the complete Swift source, build it yourself, view releases, report issues, or request Intel support.Menu Bar Gate vs. Hammerspoon
A focused Hammerspoon alternative for one macOS behavior
If you already use Hammerspoon, a script can be a perfectly valid option. Menu Bar Gate is for people who want this one behavior without maintaining that setup.
| Feature | Menu Bar Gate | Hammerspoon script |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Drag in one app and grant Accessibility | Install Hammerspoon, grant Accessibility, and configure Lua |
| Settings | Built-in key, clearance, scope, and login controls | Edit and maintain a script |
| Best for | One dedicated behavior | Broader Mac automation |
Install
Drag, open, allow
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Download and open MenuBarGate.dmg.
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Drag Menu Bar Gate into the Applications folder.
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Open it and allow Menu Bar Gate in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.
Current release: Apple silicon and macOS 13+ only. The app is ad-hoc signed, not Developer ID signed or notarized, so the first launch may require Control-click → Open. Follow the signing and notarization roadmap.
FAQ
Common questions
How do I stop the menu bar appearing in full screen on Mac?
Menu Bar Gate adds a small protected strip at the top edge. In a full-screen app, it keeps the pointer just below that strip so macOS does not reveal the menu bar accidentally. Hold your configured gate key whenever you want to pass through.
Does it remove or permanently hide the menu bar?
No. It preserves normal macOS behavior and only prevents an accidental pointer crossing. Hold the gate key, pause protection, leave full screen, or quit the app to reach the top normally.
Is Hammerspoon required?
No. Menu Bar Gate is a standalone native app. No Hammerspoon setup, Lua script, package manager, or third-party dependency is required.
Why does it need Accessibility permission?
macOS requires that permission for system-wide input event taps and frontmost-window accessibility attributes. The app uses those APIs only to detect the pointer, track the selected gate key, adjust the pointer's vertical coordinate, and identify full-screen windows.
Does it work system-wide?
Yes. It runs as one menu-bar utility across apps. By default, protection engages only when the frontmost app is full screen.
Does it work with “Automatically hide and show the menu bar” set to “In Full Screen Only”?
Yes. That is the default macOS setting Menu Bar Gate is designed for. Protection engages in a full-screen app and keeps the pointer below the activation edge until you hold your gate key.
Can I change the Control key or the 4-point gap?
Yes. Open the app's menu-bar icon to choose a different gate key and adjust the edge clearance.
Does it work on Intel Macs?
The current prebuilt download is Apple-silicon-only. If you need an Intel or universal build, open an issue so demand can be tracked.
Is the download notarized?
Not yet. Version 1.0.1 is ad-hoc signed rather than Developer ID signed and notarized. The source is available for inspection and local building, and signing/notarization is on the public roadmap.
Menu Bar Gate