LIFE SCAPE launches Koffret to customize the Mac menu bar

LIFE SCAPE, K.K. has released Koffret, a macOS app that lets users control which menu bar icons appear, when they appear and how the bar looks. The $14.99 app went on sale Sept. 5 and is designed to reduce menu bar clutter while carrying over an existing Bartender setup.

Why it matters: - Koffret addresses a common Mac pain point: a crowded menu bar that becomes hard to scan and can hide icons on notch-equipped MacBook displays. - The app gives users more control over what stays visible, which can make frequently used tools easier to reach. - Koffret also lowers switching friction for people moving from Bartender by importing an existing icon classification setup.

What happened: - LIFE SCAPE, K.K., a Tokyo-based software company, released Koffret for macOS. - The app went on sale Sept. 5, 2026. - Koffret lets users decide what the menu bar shows, when it shows it and how it looks.

The details: - Users can keep selected icons visible and move other icons behind a divider. - Clicking a hidden icon opens its menu where the icon would normally sit, without unfolding the menu bar. - Users can set icons to appear only under conditions they define, including battery level, power source, time of day, the active app or the exit code from a script. - An icon stays visible while the condition is true and hides again when the condition no longer applies. - Users can search for a hidden icon by typing part of its name. - Users can save named sets of icon assignments for different workflows and switch between them with a shortcut. - The menu bar’s left-end marker can be changed to one of 12 shapes or a custom image. - Koffret can read how icons are sorted in an existing Bartender setup as shown, hidden or always hidden. - Koffret is a one-time purchase of $14.99. - The app includes a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. - One license covers up to three Macs. - The one-time license covers the major version purchased with no time limit, including all fixes in that line. - Koffret runs on macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon and Intel Macs. - The app is signed and notarized by Apple. - Koffret is available in 30 languages. - More information is available at the company's announcement. - Bartender is a trademark of Bartender App LLC, and LIFE SCAPE, K.K. is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Bartender App LLC.

Between the lines: - The feature set suggests LIFE SCAPE is targeting users who already rely on menu bar utilities but want more granular control and less visual clutter. - The Bartender import feature is a practical move for users who do not want to rebuild their setup from scratch. - The one-time pricing model contrasts with the subscription approach common in productivity software.

What's next: - LIFE SCAPE is positioning Koffret as an alternative for Mac users who want persistent customization without recurring fees. - The company says the app can be tried free for 14 days, which may help drive adoption among users comparing it with other menu bar tools.