HomeOtter | macOS Menu Bar Companion for Home Assistant

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1

Hi everyone!

I’ve just released a new open-source tool called HomeOtter and wanted to share it with the Home Assistant community.

What is HomeOtter?

HomeOtter is a lightweight macOS menu bar application that gives you quick, at-a-glance access to your Home Assistant instance, without opening a browser. It’s meant to be a simple, native way to keep an eye on your smart home directly from your Mac’s menu bar.

:point_right: GitHub: SnowRabbit500/HomeOtter

Feature ideas I’m considering (tell me what you want!)

  • More flexible notifications (per-entity rules, quiet hours, critical alerts)
  • Custom formatting (units, icons, rounding, templates)
  • Quick actions (toggle switches / run scripts / call services)
  • Multiple HA instances
  • Widgets / compact popovers / mini charts
  • Windows/Linux version (if there’s demand)

If you try it out, I’d love to hear:

  • Your OS + HA version
  • What works well / what’s missing
  • Any bugs or weirdness you run into

Screenshots

Screenshot-2026-01-16-at-11-19-48
Screenshot-2026-01-16-at-11-19-48380×631 174 KB

4 Likes
2

I don’t see anything about how to install … Maybe that is obvious to people, but not to me, so, how?

3

Setting up with my Nabu Casa address and a new Long Lived token, but getting a 404 error when testing the connection. Looks like a handy lil app for my MacBook

1 Like
4

Make sure you remove / slash at the end https://example.ui.nabu.casa

5

Hi Luxia,

You can download the file here:

Unpack the zip file and allow the .app file :slight_smile:

1 Like
6

OK, thanks! I got the somewhat odd message ‘You can’t open the application “HomeOtter” because it is not responding.’

But it isn’t running, at least not according to Force Quit.

I also got ‘The application “HomeOtter” can’t be opened.’ ‘-47’

Seems like it got stuck in a bad state.

And a reboot of the computer (a macbook air M2 2022) did not help.

1 Like
7

That solved that problem, but now I have this

image
image360×116 15.8 KB

Running Home Assistant OS 2026.1.1

8

What language are you running?

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What version of macOS are you running?

10

I’m running English on MacOS 26.2

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I am running Tahoe Version 26.2 (25C56). But I managed after some fiddling with the security issues. Something went wrong, couldn’t use my fingerprint to allow, then could’nt use the password. I don’t know what made it heal, but suddenly I got out of the strange loop.

I got it up and running, and it looks good. Thanks!

1 Like
12

Found the bug! I’'ll fix it in the new release

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13

Great that you got it working! :slight_smile:
I’'ll keep pushing new features

14

Thanks! I’ll keep an eye out for it!

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15

Seems that the app can not run if there’s any macOS software update pending. At least for me. After initiating os update and reboot - HomeOtter is working well.
Good to know that the app can’t connect from the local network. Requires nabucasa.

Really nice app! Nicely done.

my thoughts, and future requests:

  • would be great to add and move entities we’re watching to the top
  • energy metter on demand?
  • more entities (2 or 3) in the pinned menu bar?
16

Hi :blush:

Thanks for the feedback!

  • would be great to add and move entities we’re watching to the top
    Will be added in version v1.02

  • energy metter on demand?
    Yes! Great idea! I will add that :smiley:

  • more entities (2 or 3) in the pinned menu bar?
    That’s now supported in version v1.01 :blush:

I’m also fixing up some bugs! And will add local support down the road.

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When do you expect the next release?

18

Local access works for me. I do’t have nabu casa accout. What did you try?

19

Hello, when i click on Configure nothing happens.
I would have opened a GH Issue but they are disabled.
I on ventura and my OS is in Italian

20

It’s available