DockShelf Manual
Docks

A typical dock containing folders.

Contents

  1. Adding New Docks
  2. Dock Settings
  3. Adding/Removing Dock Items
  4. Auto Hiding
  5. Collapsing and Expanding Docks
  6. Types of Dock Items
  7. Deleting Docks
  8. Hiding Docks
  9. Hiding Docks by Application
  10. Themes
  11. Groups

Adding New Docks.

You can add an unlimited number of docks to each workspace. To add new docks use the Add Dock item in the DockShelf menu.

Currently DockShelf supports 3 kinds of docks:

  1. Standard. The standard dock in DockShelf for add files.
  2. Processes. A static dock (items can't be changed) which show all the application processes currently running on your Mac.
  3. Devices. A static dock (items can't be changed) which show all the mounted external devices on your Mac such as USB sticks, hard drives etc... This list is the same as is displayed in side bar of the Finder under DEVICES.

Note: in the preferences you can specify various default dock settings which new docks will follow.

The edit dock window.

Dock Settings.

Docks have various settings like: title, color, size, opacity (for tabs) and edge which you can configure. The dock settings window is also where you can add special items (see below).

To edit a dock contextual-click on the dock (right click or control click) or use the DockShelf menu (in the menu bar) and press the edit button next to the dock you want to edit.

Also note in the main preferences there are various settings which control how all docks appear and behave.

Adding items to the dock.

Adding/Removing Dock Items.

There are a few ways to add items to docks:

  1. To add basic files to the dock simply drag any file from your Mac onto the dock and it will be added.
  2. Optionally you can browse your Macs hard disk for files by clicking on the Add Items... button in the Dock info Items tab.
  3. There are some special items (like stacks, smart folders etc...) that must be added via the Dock settings windows Items tab. Once you open the tab drag items onto the dock you want them to appear in.

If you want to later remove the item drag the item outside the dock until the cursor changes to a "poof" then release. Optionally you can contextual-click on the item and choose "Remove from Dock" from the popup menu.

Auto Hiding.

Docks with auto hiding enabled will expand when the cursor is hovered over them and collapse automatically when the cursor leaves the dock.

To enable auto hiding edit the dock settings then click the Auto hiding checkbox.

By default auto hiding docks are displayed offscreen when collapsed but you can make them display as a tab by clicking the Show as tab checkbox in the edit dock window.

Collapsed dock showing as a tab.

Collapsing and Expanding Docks.

Dock can be in two states, either collapsed or expanded.

Collapsed docks are displayed as either a tab with title or offscreen with a slim margin of a tab showing as an indicator (if auto hiding is enabled).

When docks are expanded all the docks items are visible and can be clicked, moved etc...

By default docks are collapsed and expanded by clicking and their state remains persistent when you move the cursor. However if auto hiding is enabled the dock will be collapsed and expanded depending on if the cursor is within or outside the boundaries of the dock.

Types of Dock Items.

DockShelf supports 3 kinds of dock items: files, folders and applications. When you click on an item they behave as if they were double-clicked in the Finder.

All the files have contextual menus which give you additional options like: removing the item, revealing the file in the Finder, hiding/quitting for applications and more. To open the contextual menu for an item right or control click on the item.

Deleting Docks.

Docks can be deleting by pressing the Delete Dock button in the edit dock window.

Hiding Docks.

You can hide docks entirely by deselecting them in the Docks menu in the DockShelf menu. Note that the menu only shows docks which are available in active workspace.

Hiding Docks by Application.

DockShelf may interfere with certain applications which use your entire screen (like watching full screen movies or editing images in PhotoShop) so you can choose to hide docks when these applications are open.

To manage which applications you don't want DockShelf to show in you can use the preference window.

Optionally if you don't want DockShelf to show in the currently open application you can use the Don't Show in ___ item in the DockShelf menu. Depending on which application is open its name will appear in the menu.

Themes.

Docks may choose from various themes which affect their appearance.

To change a docks theme open the settings window and choose a theme from the popup button.

If you want to install new themes simply double-click on the bundle in the Finder and DockShelf will prompt you to install.

DockShelf themes are bundles (with the extension .dstheme) which use standard HTML files and property lists (.plist) you can edit yourself. Default themes, user submitted themes and full instructions on how to create your own themes will be available on www.dockshelf.com

Groups.

Docks can be grouped together to help organize docks. Please note that grouping only applies to docks which have auto-hiding enabled.

To group a dock drag the dock onto another dock until an outline appears and then drop. If you want to ungroup the docks later open the dock settings window and press the ungroup button.