Concept app · v1.5.0 · Build 8

macBuddy

A concept for an enterprise macOS menu bar app. MDM-configurable IT actions, on-device AI, meeting transcription — local by default, with an external AI only where IT configures one through MDM.

Concept app. macBuddy explores what an MDM-configurable, AI-assisted IT companion could be. It's a working prototype, not a supported product, and has been tested in a demo environment only, not in production — pilot it on a small group of test Macs before any wider rollout.

Download macBuddy Read the Docs

macBuddy menu bar dropdown showing MDM-configured IT actions like Clear DNS Cache, Quick Network Check and Full System Check

Features

What the concept explores

⚡

MDM Actions

Shell scripts, URLs, services, AppleScript — configured via Jamf, Intune or any MDM. Push IT actions to every Mac.

🤖

On-Device AI Chatbot

Gemma 4 runs locally via MLX, with no API calls or cloud dependency. Private and fast with real-time streaming.

🎙️

Meeting Transcription

WhisperKit on the Apple Neural Engine. Live transcription with speaker labels, AI summaries, and 14 languages.

🔗

Action Chains

Combine multiple actions into one chain. DNS flush + network check + software update — all with one tap.

📁

File Actions

Right-click any file — summarize, translate, rewrite. Output saved as .txt next to the source.

🔒

Privacy First

AI chat and transcription run on-device by default — nothing leaves your Mac unless IT explicitly configures an external chatbot endpoint via MDM. MDM profiles are read-only. Privileged helper disabled by default.

👁️

Conditional Visibility

Show actions only when a file exists, process is running, or network is connected. AND logic.

🎨

Custom Icons

SF Symbols or custom images. network, lock.shield, checklist — all directly configurable.

🔔

Native Notifications

macOS Notification Center. Success/failure with output and error details. Sound on failure. Critical alerts.

See It In Action

macBuddy on your Mac

macBuddy AI chat assistant window running Gemma 4 locally

On-device AI chat — Gemma 4 running locally via MLX, no cloud calls.

Finder right-click menu showing macBuddy file actions like Summarize, Translate and Rewrite

File actions — right-click any file for summarize, translate and rewrite.

macOS notification showing a completed macBuddy action chain

Native notifications — clear success/failure feedback for every action.

macBuddy first-run screen downloading the Gemma 4 model

First run — the on-device model downloads once, then runs fully offline.