— i. capture
Put it down before the thought moves on.
Select something in Finder and press Option + Tab, or drag it in. Files, folders, links, images, and text all land on the same small shelf.
Keep it close
before you need it.
Context keeps files, folders, links, images, and text on a small Mac shelf, so you can move between apps without losing the next thing you need.
Free · Open source · local-first · macOS
— ii. hold
A Mac utility, not another window.
Context stays above your work without turning into a workspace of its own. It keeps the handoff visible and the rest of your desktop usable.
— iii. place
Menu bar by default. More when you want it.
Context starts tucked into the menu bar. Keep the shelf on screen for longer handoffs, or enable the optional Notch Island on supported Macs.
— iv. return
Drag it back when the next place is ready.
Take one item or a stack and drop it into the app, folder, message, or document that needs it. The originals stay exactly where they were.
— Privacy
Local-first, because in-between work is still your work.
- No Context account
- No cloud sync
- No app telemetry
- No work history
Context holds the current shelf in memory and clears it when the app quits. It does not send your files, clipboard contents, or shelf activity anywhere.
— Install
One DMG. Then drag to Applications.
Download Context, open the DMG, then drag the app to Applications.
Context for macOSv0.2.0 · macOS 26+ · Apple Silicon & Intel
Context is not yet notarized by Apple. macOS may block it the first time you open it. To continue, open System Settings → Privacy & Security and click “Open Anyway.”
— FAQ
Questions, answered honestly.
What problem is Context solving?
Small handoffs break focus. Context keeps the files, folders, links, images, and text you are about to use in one temporary shelf, ready for the next app.
What can I put on the shelf?
Files, folders, images, URLs, and text. Finder selections can also be added with Option + Tab.
Does Context copy my files?
Items added from Finder remain references to their originals. Data received directly from another app may be stored temporarily in Context's local working area.
Does removing an item delete the original?
No. Removing something from the shelf does not remove the original file from its location.
What happens when I quit Context?
The shelf and Context-managed temporary copies are cleared. Only your chosen display mode is remembered.
Does Context upload anything?
No. There is no Context account, cloud sync, analytics SDK, or hosted work history. The shelf stays on your Mac.
Does it work on a Mac without a notch?
Yes. The menu bar shelf is the default, On Screen remains available, and Notch Island is an optional display mode on supported Macs.
Can I use it on Intel Macs?
Yes. The current universal build supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs running macOS 26 or later.