Tools · 2026-10-27

Boltbar: a Spotlight-style AI chat for Mac

Boltbar is a small Mac app that lets you quickly ask ChatGPT or Claude a question without switching between windows.

✨ What this app is

Boltbar is a small chat bar for AI that runs on Mac computers. It was made by a single developer, Juan Luis, because he got tired of switching to the ChatGPT or Claude window every time he wanted to ask a quick question.

The app is written in Swift, the native language for Mac, rather than with Electron, so it should run lighter than many similar apps. The developer does not go into more detail about this.

📌 How it works

Press ⌥Space (Option and the spacebar) in any app. A panel appears where you can type a question. After you get the answer, you can go straight back to your work.

There is also an agent mode. It can hand a project folder to the Claude Code or Codex tools. There are four access levels: Look (view only), Ask (asks before acting), Edit (edits files), and Full (full access).

🔹 How to install it

You can download the app as a DMG file from the official website. The developer says the app is signed and has passed Apple's notarization check. For people who use the Homebrew package manager, there is a separate command: brew install --cask juanluisrto/boltbar/boltbar.

The author asks for feedback on how the agent permissions work and on any odd behavior people notice on their Mac. He asks what would make the app something people use every day.

Sources: 🔗 Product Hunt — AI