How do I set up my Dock layouts with DockFlow?

Click "Add Preset," then either capture your current Dock with "Set from Current Dock" or build one yourself by adding apps. You can also add folders, files, web links, and spacers. Name it and you're done.

Can I assign keyboard shortcuts to switch Dock presets?

Yes. DockFlow supports single key shortcuts, key sequences, and multi-press hotkeys. You can also automate switching with Apple Shortcuts or link presets to macOS Focus modes so your Dock changes automatically when your Focus mode does.

Which macOS versions does DockFlow support?

DockFlow requires macOS 13.5 or later.

Does DockFlow require any permissions?

DockFlow's core preset features do not require special permissions. The optional Lock Dock feature requires Accessibility permission to keep the native Dock fixed to your chosen display.

Can I back up or share my DockFlow presets?

Yes. You can export your presets and Dock layouts as a JSON backup and import them later without removing your existing presets. You can also share individual presets through DockShare.

What's the difference between DockFlow and other macOS dock apps?

DockFlow works with your native macOS Dock rather than replacing it. That means no special permissions out of the box, it's less likely to be disrupted by macOS updates, and it has zero impact on system performance. It's workflow-based — designed to switch your entire app setup, not just customize how the Dock looks.

Is DockFlow available as part of a bundle?

Yes. You can get DockFlow together with other Appit Studio apps at a discounted bundle price. Check out the Appit Studio Bundle.

I like the Animated Background! Where can I get it?

The animated background shown in the DockFlow demo comes from Backdrop.

Help Center Talk Integrations

Talk Integrations Setup Guide

Name: DockFlow
Author: Appit Studio

Talk lets DockFlow, ExtraDock and ExtraBar work together on your Mac:

DockFlow + ExtraDock: each preset decides which ExtraDock docks show and which hide. Switch to your Work preset and your work docks appear with it.
ExtraBar + DockFlow: see your active preset and switch presets in one click from ExtraBar’s DockFlow widget.

Connections stay on your Mac and are encrypted. Both apps check that the other one is a genuine Appit Studio app before they connect, and nothing is shared until you click Connect. Talk is currently in beta.

What you need

App	Version
DockFlow	1.85 or later
ExtraDock 5	5.1.0 or later
ExtraDock 4	4.4.2 or later
ExtraBar (only for the DockFlow widget)	1.6.3 or later

You need either ExtraDock 5 or ExtraDock 4, not both. To update an app, open it and choose Check for Updates.

Keep one copy of each app, in your Applications folder. Extra copies (for example an old download still in your Downloads folder) make it unclear which app to connect to.

Connect DockFlow to ExtraDock

Make sure ExtraDock is installed and up to date. It doesn’t need to be open: DockFlow opens it in the background while connecting.
In DockFlow, open Settings → Talk Integrations.
Under Integration Library, click ExtraDock 5 or ExtraDock 4, whichever one you use. It should say Ready to connect.
Leave Show and hide your docks with presets and Keep the dock list up to date turned on. Without the first one, presets can’t change your docks.
Click Connect. While it shows Connecting securely…, wait a moment. There are no codes to compare and nothing to approve in ExtraDock.
When the status reads Connected with a green check mark, click Done.
Choose the docks for each preset: open a preset in DockFlow, go to its ExtraDock section and tick the docks this preset should show. Docks you leave unticked are hidden when you switch to that preset.

You can also start from ExtraDock: Settings → Integrations → Talk Integrations → DockFlow → Connect. It creates the same connection.

Tip: turn on ExtraDock-only mode in a preset’s ExtraDock section if you want that preset to switch only your ExtraDock docks and leave the macOS Dock as it is.

Connect ExtraBar to DockFlow

In DockFlow, open Settings → Talk Integrations and click ExtraBar. Or start in ExtraBar: Settings → Talk Integrations → DockFlow.
Choose what ExtraBar may do. Reading your presets is always included; Switch presets and Receive live preset updates are optional.
Click Connect. When it’s done, the entry says Access saved.
In ExtraBar, add the widget: Manage Bar → Add → DockFlow.

This lets ExtraBar use your DockFlow presets. It does not let DockFlow control your bar.

Check that it’s working

In DockFlow: in Settings → Talk Integrations, the ExtraDock entry says Connected, and its details show how many docks are available to your presets.
Access saved means the connection is set up but not active right now, usually because ExtraDock isn’t running. It reconnects by itself once ExtraDock is open.
In ExtraDock: in Settings → Integrations → Talk Integrations, DockFlow is listed under Apps with access.
Quick test: switch to a preset that hides one of your docks. The dock should hide within a moment.

Talk or the original connection?

DockFlow can control ExtraDock in two ways: through Talk, or through the original connection in Settings → Integrations → ExtraDock. Only one is active at a time, and with either one your presets do the same thing: show the docks you ticked and hide the rest. They differ in how they connect:

Topic	Talk (recommended)	Original connection
Turn it on	Settings → Talk Integrations → Connect	Settings → Integrations → ExtraDock → Enable Integration
Versions	DockFlow 1.85+, ExtraDock 4.4.2+ or 5.1.0+	Works with older versions too
Permissions	You choose what DockFlow may do, and can remove access from either app at any time	No permission choices. macOS may ask to let DockFlow access data from other apps
Which ExtraDock	The one you connected (ExtraDock 4 or 5). Presets never switch to the other one on their own	Whichever ExtraDock is running (ExtraDock 5 first)
Dock list	Updates live, and also lists docks that are turned off in ExtraDock 5 (marked “Disabled in ExtraDock”)	Refreshes in the background, or use Refresh. Turned-off docks aren’t listed
Extra controls	None	Show All Docks and Hide All Docks buttons

Which should I use? Use Talk if your apps meet the versions above. It’s the recommended way, with clearer status and control over permissions. Use the original connection if you have to stay on an older ExtraDock, or as a fallback while you sort out a Talk problem.

Switching between them: connecting through Talk moves your presets over to Talk automatically. To go back, open Settings → Integrations → ExtraDock and click Use This Bridge Instead.

Without either connection, DockFlow only changes the macOS Dock. Your ExtraDock docks stay as they are when you switch presets, and presets don’t show an ExtraDock section.

Troubleshooting

“Update available” or “Update needed”

The other app is too old for Talk. Update it (see What you need), then click Refresh.

“Not installed”

Install the app. If it’s already installed somewhere else, move it to your Applications folder, then click Refresh.

“Choose one app copy” or “Multiple copies”

More than one copy of the app was found. Quit any extra copy, keep the one in Applications, move the others to the Trash, then click Refresh.

“App could not be verified”

That copy isn’t an official Appit Studio build, or it was changed. Download a fresh copy from the app’s website and replace it.

Presets don’t show or hide my docks

ExtraDock has to be running when you switch presets. DockFlow doesn’t open it for you at that moment.
Open the ExtraDock entry in DockFlow’s Talk Integrations and make sure Show and hide your docks with presets is on. If you changed it, click Update Access.
Open the preset’s ExtraDock section and check that the right docks are ticked.
A dock marked Disabled in ExtraDock is turned off in ExtraDock. Turn it on there first.
If you have both ExtraDock 4 and 5, presets follow the one you connected last. Connect the one you use.

Stuck on “Connecting securely…”, or the connection fails

Click Cancel. Open ExtraDock and make sure it starts normally, for example that it isn’t waiting on a license or update window. Then click Connect again.

“Saved access needs attention”

Click Reload Saved Access. Your saved connection is kept.

The connection was saved by an older version, no longer matches, or you want a fresh start

In ExtraDock, open Settings → Integrations → Talk Integrations, find DockFlow under Apps with access and choose Remove…, then confirm.
In DockFlow, open the ExtraDock entry in Talk Integrations and choose Manage → Forget Connection…, then confirm.
Click Connect again.

Still stuck?

In DockFlow, open Settings → Diagnostics → Export Logs… and send the file to Appit Studio support with a short description of what happened. The file is saved only where you choose and is never sent automatically.

Contact Support