---
title: "Introduction: Native Menu Bar Dashboards · Metrix.Bar"
description: "Discover Metrix.Bar, a lightweight native menu bar and tray dashboard app. Pick ready-made dashboards, configure credentials securely, and build new views with AI agents."
canonical: "https://metrix.bar/docs/introduction"
language: "en"
---

# Introduction

> Overview of Metrix.Bar, ready-to-use dashboards, and AI agent integration.

## Overview

Metrix.Bar is a cross-platform desktop menu bar and system tray dashboard application built in pure Go with native UI rendering. It brings live developer metrics, business monitors, operational stats, and service statuses directly into your menu bar.

Instead of navigating complex visual builders, Metrix.Bar provides ready-to-use dashboards:

```text
Pick Dashboard → Fill Settings → Preview → Pin to Menu Bar
```

Each enabled dashboard occupies a dedicated menu bar or system tray slot displaying a live icon and metric value. Clicking the item expands a native popover panel showing the full dashboard.

## Key Capabilities

| Capability                | Description                                                                                                                                                 |
| ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Ready-Made Dashboards     | Official registry dashboards for GitHub repositories, Umami, Plausible, PostHog, Rybbit, Dub, Codex, Claude Code, weather, crypto, stocks, and custom APIs. |
| Zero-Code Configuration   | Configure only essential inputs such as API tokens, project IDs, or local credentials files.                                                                |
| Single-File `.bar` Format | Every dashboard is encapsulated in a single `.bar` file containing permissions, inputs, and a persistent JavaScript Worker rendering native UI trees.       |
| AI Agent Workflow         | Create or modify dashboards via AI coding agents (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor) using the local HTTP API and agent skill.                                     |
| Menu Bar Integration      | Active menu bar and system tray slots with live indicators, auto-refresh, and click-to-expand native panels.                                                |
| Secure Credential Storage | Sensitive credentials and tokens are secured in the OS credential store (such as macOS Keychain) per dashboard.                                             |
| Privacy First             | Queries run directly from your device to service endpoints; no account required. See [Security & Privacy](/docs/privacy.md) for usage analytics controls.          |

## How Metrix.Bar Works

1. **Choose a Dashboard**: Pick from the official registry or open any `.bar` file.
2. **Configure Inputs**: Enter your API token, select options, or specify local credential files (such as `~/.codex/auth.json`).
3. **Preview & Pin**: Review live data cards and switch on **Show in menu bar**.
4. **Extend with AI**: Let coding assistants inspect, test, and write `.bar` definitions through Metrix.Bar's local HTTP API.