SwiftStrip is a tab launcher and floating dock app for macOS. It lets you create multiple tabbed docks to organize your apps, files, and folders with drag & drop, auto-hide, and deep customization. It is available as a free download on the Mac App Store.

Is SwiftStrip a DragThing replacement?

SwiftStrip was inspired by DragThing and built for fans of tabbed dock launchers. It offers tabbed docks, floating windows, spring-loaded folders, and keyboard shortcuts similar to DragThing, rebuilt natively for modern macOS with SwiftUI and AppKit.

Yes. Core features are free forever with no trial expiration. You can create docks, add items, and customize appearance for free. Pro features like auto-hide, spring-loaded folders, and keyboard shortcuts are available via subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase, with a free 30-day trial of all Pro features.

What macOS versions does SwiftStrip support?

SwiftStrip requires macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later. It is built natively with SwiftUI and AppKit and receives regular updates for the latest macOS versions.

The Tab Launcher Your Mac Has Been Missing

Create floating tabbed docks to organize your apps, files, and folders. Drag and drop from Finder, auto-hide when you don't need them, and customize every detail. Native macOS, lightweight, free to start.

Scroll to explore

SwiftStrip tabbed dock launcher for macOS showing multiple colored tabs and app icons in a floating dock window

Everything You Need to Organize Your Mac Desktop

Organize Your Apps and Files

Tabbed Docks

Group apps, files, and folders into tabs within each dock. Switch instantly with keyboard shortcuts or a single click. Color-code tabs for visual clarity.

Multiple Floating Docks

Create as many floating docks as you need. Position them anywhere on your screen. Each dock remembers its position, size, and contents.

Grid & Flow Layouts

Choose fixed grid positions or auto-packing flow mode. Switch orientations between horizontal and vertical. Items transpose automatically.

Launch Apps Instantly

Quick Launch

Single-click to open apps and files. ⌘-click to reveal in Finder. ⌥-click to hide or show running applications. Right-click for more options.

Drag & Drop

Drag apps, files, and folders directly from Finder into any dock. Drop files onto app icons to open them with that app. Move items between tabs and docks.

Spring-Loaded Folders

Click and hold on a folder to browse its contents in a cascading menu. Navigate deep folder hierarchies without leaving your dock. Even drag files into subfolders.

Watch Folders

Turn any tab into a live view of a folder. Contents update automatically when files change. Sort by name, date modified, or kind.

Customize Every Detail

Colors & Opacity

Set background color and opacity for each dock. Choose individual tab colors. Adjust transparency from solid to fully see-through.

Icons, Labels & Fonts

Icon sizes from 24px to 128px. Position labels above, below, left, right, or hide them. Pick any system font for labels, tabs, and status bar.

Tile Styles & Spacing

Configure spacing between items, grid padding, corner radius, tile backgrounds, and borders. Adjust every visual detail to match your aesthetic.

Stay Focused on Your Work

Auto-Hide

Three modes: slide off-screen, fade to transparent, or hide completely. Configure delays, slide direction, and keep tabs visible while content hides.

Always on Top

Keep your docks visible above all windows. Docks automatically come to front when you drag files, so they're always accessible when you need them.

Keyboard Shortcuts

⌘1 through ⌘9 to switch tabs. ⌘T for a new tab. ⌘N for a new dock. Everything is keyboard-accessible for power users.

Up and Running in Seconds

Create a Dock

Press ⌘N or go to File → New Dock. A floating dock window appears on your desktop, ready to fill.

SwiftStrip dock with colored tabs on macOS desktop

Add Your Apps

Drag applications, files, or folders from Finder straight into the dock. They snap into the grid automatically.

Dragging apps into SwiftStrip with spring-loaded folder menu

Organize with Tabs

Press ⌘T to add tabs. Color-code them, name them, drag them to reorder. Your workspace, your rules.

SwiftStrip docks in various styles and color configurations

SwiftStrip dock preferences showing tab color, layout mode, orientation, icon size, spacing, and padding settings

SwiftStrip floating docks in different styles showing grid layout, vertical orientation, and custom colors

Why Choose SwiftStrip as Your Mac Dock Launcher?

The macOS Dock is fine for a few apps. But if you work with dozens of tools, creative suites, dev environments, or media apps, you need more organization. SwiftStrip adds floating tabbed docks that supplement your Dock without replacing it.

Native macOS App

Built with SwiftUI and AppKit. No Electron, no web views. Launches in under half a second, uses minimal memory, and respects your Mac's resources.

Actively Developed

Regular updates for the latest macOS versions. Built by an independent developer who uses it daily. SwiftStrip grows with your Mac and is here to stay.

Free to Start

Core features are free forever with no trial expiration on the basics. Create docks, add items, customize appearance. Pro adds auto-hide, spring-loaded folders, and keyboard shortcuts.

How SwiftStrip Compares to Other Mac Dock Apps

See how SwiftStrip stacks up against the macOS Dock and popular alternatives.

Feature comparison between SwiftStrip and other macOS dock launcher alternatives
Feature	SwiftStrip	macOS Dock	Tab Launcher	iCollections	uBar
Multiple Docks
Tabbed Organization
Drag & Drop from Finder
Auto-Hide Modes
Custom Colors & Fonts
Spring-Loaded Folders
Keyboard Shortcuts
Grid & Flow Layouts
Watch Folders
Native macOS
Actively Updated (2026)

Remember DragThing?

DragThing was the original tabbed dock launcher, beloved by Mac users for 24 years before macOS Catalina ended its run in 2019. SwiftStrip was built to carry that torch forward. If you miss DragThing, you'll feel right at home.

Read the full story →