rumps is a Python framework for building macOS status bar applications.
The tool solves the problem of creating simple menu-bar apps on macOS without requiring developers to write complex PyObjC code. It provides a lightweight abstraction layer that lets you define a status bar application as a Python class with decorated methods for menu items. When a user clicks a menu item, the corresponding method executes, allowing the app to show notifications, control daemons, or fetch data from web APIs.
The tool suits console-based programs that need a simple configuration toolbar or launch menu, particularly notification-center-based apps, daemon controllers, and applications that update information from web APIs on a timer. It is not designed for applications where the GUI is the primary focus. The framework works best on macOS systems with Python and PyObjC already available, and can be packaged into standalone applications using py2app by setting the LSUIElement flag to hide the dock icon.
Development activity on the project is sparse, with infrequent commits and minimal recent engagement. The maintainer has not actively addressed issues or merged pull requests at a regular cadence. Documentation exists but has not been substantially updated to reflect modern Python practices or macOS versions.
