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ercanatay
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Grouping Dock apps by project on macOS

I’m on a Mac running macOS 26 Tahoe. I’d like to group my Dock apps by project (for example, “Design” or “Dev”). Then I could open or close a whole group at once instead of clicking each app.


Here’s what I’ve tried so far:


  • Folder of app aliases in the Dock (Stack): it shows the apps, but I can’t launch them all at once, and the icon is just a generic folder.
  • Spaces / Stage Manager: these group windows, not apps, and the setup doesn’t really survive a restart.
  • A Shortcut or Automator workflow that opens several apps: launching works, but there’s no proper Dock icon for each group, and closing them all together is awkward.


From what I can tell, macOS can’t do this natively, and you need a third-party app. I found and use these two:


  • “DockGroups” – free for up to 2 groups; Pro is a $9.99 one-time purchase
  • “Cybokron Dock Groups” – free and open source (Disclosure: I’m the developer of the second one)


Is there a built-in option I’m missing? If not, has anyone used either of these or something else, and did you have problems with permissions or stability?

Posted on Oct 20, 2026 11:37 PM

4 replies

lkrupp
User level: Level 7 (28,946 points)

Oct 21, 2026 5:54 AM in response to ercanatay

ercanatay wrote:
Is there a built-in option I’m missing?

No, no built-in option for the Dock but Apps auto-sorts apps into categories.


You might send feedback to Apple requesting such a feature.


Feedback - macOS - Apple


ercanatay Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 21, 2026 10:14 PM in response to Servant of Cats

@Servant of Cats: Good tip on the custom folder icon. It does fix the generic-icon problem, but as you said, the folder still lives on the documents side of the Dock and doesn’t launch anything together.


@lkrupp: Good point about Apps in Tahoe. The automatic categories are nice for finding apps, but they’re fixed and can’t be pinned to the Dock or launched as a set. I’ll send feedback to Apple asking for native app groups in the Dock, and I’d encourage anyone else who wants this to do the same.


Until then, I’ve been using Cybokron Dock Groups (Unlimited-Open Source) and Dock Groups (Limited Free, Paid), and a third-party app like these seems to be the only way to get real grouping (launch/quit together plus a Dock icon per group). If anyone tries one, I’d be glad to hear how it works for you.

Servant of Cats
User level: Level 9 (55,707 points)

Oct 21, 2026 2:54 AM in response to ercanatay

Customize the look of folders and files on Mac - Apple Support


You can give a regular Finder folder a custom icon. (To test this, I used a copy of a photo.)


This wouldn't solve your desire to launch multiple applications at the same time. Also, while you could drag the folder into the Dock, you could only drag it into the documents section of the Dock.

lkrupp
User level: Level 7 (28,946 points)

Oct 22, 2026 5:49 AM in response to ercanatay

Macs have a long and storied history regarding third party apps filling specific needs. Third party app developers have made a living by providing solutions to user’s wants.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256380066