RunCat 365 is a Windows taskbar application that displays a cute running cat animation.
The tool solves the problem of a static, uninspiring taskbar by rendering an animated cat that runs across the Windows taskbar icon. The animation serves as a visual indicator of system activity, with the cat's running speed responding to CPU usage. The implementation uses C# with Win32 interop and targets .NET 9.0, integrating directly with the Windows taskbar through native APIs.
RunCat 365 is distributed through the Microsoft Store and requires Windows 10 version 19041.0 or higher. The tool supports multiple languages including English, Chinese (simplified and traditional), French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. It suits developers and users who want a lightweight, visually engaging taskbar enhancement that provides real-time system feedback without requiring dedicated screen real estate.
The project maintains a structured contribution process with an explicit issue template and a dedicated developers' community portal for feature discussion. The maintainers enforce clear communication standards, accepting only English-language issues and pull requests, and close submissions that do not follow the established template. The project operates a community space specifically for contributors to discuss development and operations rather than feature requests, directing feature proposals through the formal issue system.
