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What’s new in NotchOwl

Every release, newest first. When a new version is out, an Update button appears in your notch.

Download 2.0.3

Version 2.0.3

Latest

A notch that fits at every resolution

  • At scaled resolutions like More Space, the notch now sits flush. No more thin line above the open workspace, or sliver below the camera.
  • Check for Updates… is in the menu bar menu.
  • Scrolling in the Customize cards no longer shows scroll bars.

Version 2.0.2

Connect Claude in one click

  • Settings → AI agents has a Connect button for Claude Code, the Claude app and Cursor. No Terminal, and no command to paste.
  • If the Claude app or Cursor is open, Restart reopens it so it picks up NotchOwl.
  • Once you’re connected, Try asking suggests things to say to Claude, and copies them with a click.
  • Set up Claude Code with the 2.0.1 command? It keeps working. Click Connect to make NotchOwl available in every folder.

Version 2.0.1

A small fix for people updating

  • If you used NotchOwl 1.x, finishing the welcome tour no longer turns on Open at login. Your earlier choice stays as it was. If 2.0.0 turned it on for you, switch off Launch at login in Settings.

Version 2.0.0

Your day in the notch, and on your iPhone

  • Live activities: when a reminder comes due, the notch opens with the owl and a chime. Snooze it for 5 minutes or mark it done right there.
  • Two-way Apple Reminders sync: tasks stay in step with a NotchOwl list in Reminders, so they reach your iPhone and Apple Watch, and reminders with a time ring there too. It stays off until you turn it on in Settings.
  • Type it like you’d say it: “call mom tomorrow at 5pm” gets its day and reminder. Repeats, priority and projects fill in too.
  • Dictation in the task composers and the Notepad, recognized on your Mac.
  • Task details: priority, projects, steps and notes. Repeating tasks, an Upcoming page, and planning for future days.
  • Focus with or without a task. Insights sums up your week and shows your peak hours.
  • On macOS 26 with Apple Intelligence, new tasks get a priority and project from Apple’s on-device model.
  • AI agents: connect Claude through NotchOwl’s built-in MCP server to plan and manage your day.
  • A new welcome tour, a new menu bar owl, and a bug report button beside the NotchOwl name.

Version 1.1.1

Lighter, with cleaner focus controls

  • Reduced background CPU work when the notch is idle.
  • Stopped unnecessary clock refreshes and repeated saves of unchanged data.
  • Improved focus buttons: “Add 5 min” stays on one line, with matching button heights and tighter spacing.

Version 1.1.0

A refreshed notch workspace

  • Redesigned task cards with a compact To do / Completed switcher, clearer completed tasks, inline renaming, and smoother drag-to-reorder.
  • Customize your workspace by showing, hiding, resizing, and reordering cards.
  • A focus timer beside the notch, with clearer focus controls and task status.
  • Optional Calendar and notification permissions during Quick Setup. You can skip setup and enable access when you connect your calendar or set a reminder.
  • Improved reminder permission recovery, direct access to the app’s notification settings, and a notch that moves out of the way while Settings is open.
  • A compact glass Update button appears in the notch when a newer version is available and opens the update installer.
  • Refined button styles, tooltips, spacing, and activation layout.

Version 1.0.8

Comfier sizing and a smaller idle notch

  • Adjusted task text, controls, and spacing for a more comfortable reading size.
  • Reduced idle-notch height and resized the dotted greeting and timer text.
  • Matched reminder and event cards with darker backgrounds and clearer dotted separators.

Version 1.0.7

Paper textures and a friendlier notch

  • Paper texture across Workspace and Insights cards, with clearer task separators.
  • A welcoming empty timer state with a direct action to add your first task.
  • A smaller compact notch with a dotted WELCOME BACK greeting on launch.
  • The compact timer appears when you start or resume focus, with matching dotted PAUSED and DONE states and no extra icons.

Version 1.0.6

Calendar events and a more compact workspace

  • A more compact workspace with muted color cards and adjustable section widths.
  • Refined Insights, clearer text, and updated task and timer controls.
  • Today’s calendar events with improved event details and calendar permission setup.
  • Improved task reordering and pointer feedback.
  • First-run permission setup and more descriptive reminders.

Version 1.0.5

Better notch settings and recovery

  • Notch License & updates now shows the version, activation status, and an Open Settings in app card.
  • Restored the main app appearance and appearance options while keeping the notch black.
  • Added interaction recovery when reopening the notch and after sleep or display changes.

Version 1.0.4

A consistent black theme

  • Solid-black main backgrounds across Workspace, Insights, History, Settings, and activation.
  • Subtle gray controls and cards preserve contrast.

Version 1.0.3

A more compact workspace

  • Reduced panel width and height, with narrower Tasks and Notepad columns.
  • Preserved timer size, styling, and controls.
  • Renamed Up next to Agenda.

Version 1.0.2

Activation that works offline

  • A successfully verified license remains valid offline across app launches, without the former seven-day limit.
  • Background verification failures stay quiet while the saved activation is valid.
  • License reads never ask for your Mac login password.

Version 1.0.1

License recovery fixes

  • New license entries use the NotchOwl name.
  • License access fails quietly instead of requesting a Mac login password.
  • Existing licenses migrate silently when macOS permits access. Otherwise, enter the license key again.

Version 1.0

The first release

  • Plan tasks and run a focus timer with selectable clock styles.
  • Capture thoughts in Notepad and turn lines into tasks.
  • Connect Apple Calendar to view upcoming events.
  • Review your last seven days in Insights.
  • Activate your license directly in the notch.