Show HN: AI Pulse a fake LED strip beside the macOS Dock that shows agent status
AI Pulse is a new macOS utility that provides a visual status indicator for AI coding agents via a virtual LED strip. The app operates as a non-intrusive, borderless panel that requires no private APIs or special system permissions.
Why it matters
It offers a lightweight, non-invasive way for developers to monitor background AI processes, reflecting the growing trend of integrating AI agent status into desktop workflows.
An ambient macOS light strip for AI coding agents, inspired by the SidePulse hardware gadget — but as an app. A slim strip of eight virtual LEDs floats in the unused space beside the Dock and shows, with a single aggregate signal and no per-model distinction, whether anything is running, waiting for you, finished, or broken:
Reduce Motion replaces every animation with a static treatment. The original per-agent icon pill remains available via Settings → Appearance → Indicator style.
AI Pulse is not embedded in the Dock — macOS exposes no public API for Dock accessories. It is a Dock-adjacent, borderless, nonactivating NSPanel positioned from public screen geometry ( NSScreen.frame vs visibleFrame ). No private APIs, no Accessibility/Screen Recording permissions, no injection.
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