Frontmost window to PiP reference
Turn the current frontmost window into a compact floating reference view so you can keep information visible while working in another app.
Pocket Screen
Pocket Screen is a macOS menu bar app that turns the frontmost window into a small always-on-top PiP-style reference window. It helps Mac users keep browser pages, documents, videos, or dashboards visible while working in another app.
Overview
Pocket Screen is a macOS menu bar app that turns the current frontmost window into a small always-on-top PiP-style reference window. It is built for keeping one window visible while you work in another app.
The product is aimed at people who want a lightweight way to reference a browser page, document, video, dashboard, or other supported window without constantly switching away from their current task. It runs locally on the Mac, uses ScreenCaptureKit to mirror the selected window, and requires macOS 14 or later.
Features
Always-on-top floating window
The preview stays above your workspace, can be moved and resized, and remembers its position for everyday use.
Configurable shortcut control
Start or stop the app with a global keyboard shortcut instead of switching back to the menu bar each time; the shortcut can be changed in Settings.
Continuous live capture
Uses macOS ScreenCaptureKit to mirror the selected window continuously, which helps keep live content such as browser video up to date.
Space-aware window behavior
When you move to a different Space than the source window, Pocket Screen hides the PiP window and restores it when you return.
Local-only display
The captured image is displayed locally inside Pocket Screen and is not uploaded to external servers.
Use cases
Reference work without tab switching
Keep a browser article, documentation page, or reference tab visible while writing, coding, or editing in another app.
Watch live information in the background
Monitor a live dashboard or constantly changing page in a small floating window while you continue your main task.
Use video as a side reference
Follow a video, tutorial, or demo in a compact view while working in a separate workspace.
Keep key material visible across tasks
Pin a document or notes window in view during research, planning, or meeting prep so key information stays on screen.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Keeps a chosen window visible in a small always-on-top PiP-style view.
- Supports live updates through continuous mirroring with ScreenCaptureKit.
- Can be started and stopped from a global shortcut.
- Hides and restores the PiP window when you switch Spaces, which helps it fit macOS workspace changes.
- Displays captured content locally rather than sending pixels to external servers.
Cons
- It requires macOS 14 or later, so it is not available on older versions of macOS.
- Use of the app depends on macOS Screen Recording permission.
- The source material does not show pricing information or a published plan structure.
FAQ
How do you start and stop Pocket Screen?
Pocket Screen is started from the macOS menu bar or with a configurable global shortcut. To stop it, you can use the shortcut again or choose the stop action from the menu bar.
What kinds of content can Pocket Screen mirror?
Pocket Screen can display the current frontmost window in a small always-on-top PiP-style reference window. The source window stays live, so it can be useful for browser content, documents, dashboards, and video.
Does Pocket Screen need any special macOS permission?
The app requires macOS Screen Recording permission because it captures the selected window for local display.
What Macs does Pocket Screen support?
Pocket Screen requires macOS 14 or later and is designed for both Apple silicon Macs and Intel Macs.
Quick Facts
- Category
- macOS menu bar utility
- Platform
- macOS 14+; Apple silicon and Intel Macs
- Core workflow
- Mirror the frontmost window into a movable, always-on-top PiP reference window
- Company
- Toybird Labs
- Source domain
- labs.toybird.com
- Pricing
- Not shown in the provided source
Alternativas ao Pocket Screen
Goldfish
Goldfish is an AI memory app for macOS that helps you reply, write, summarize, and continue using the context already on your Mac. It stores memory locally and writes in your tone.
Biji
Biji é uma plataforma versátil projetada para aumentar a produtividade por meio de ferramentas e recursos inovadores.
Redline
Redline is a budgeting tool for Claude Code that paces sessions to stay within time, token, cost, or plan-percentage limits. It uses Claude Code’s native hooks and statusline to help sessions finish with a usable result instead of stopping abruptly.
Claude Overlay
Claude Overlay is a Windows desktop overlay for Claude Code that reads your screen so you can ask questions, inspect content, and request edits without leaving the current app. It runs on your existing Claude subscription through the Claude CLI, so no separate API key is required.
Macuse
Macuse is a macOS app that lets AI assistants control native Mac apps through MCP and use Computer Use for any app. It works with clients like Claude Desktop, Cursor, and Raycast, and keeps automation on-device.
Dcyde
Dcyde is a decision log for product teams that captures what was decided, the reasoning behind it, and the source in one shared place. It supports pinning decisions from Slack, Figma, or inside Dcyde and keeps the record searchable over time.