Gaps FAQs

Q: How can I verify that the menu bar spacing and padding have changed?

After you make changes, type the following into the Terminal:
defaults -currentHost read -globalDomain | grep -i NSStatusItem

You will see output similar to this:
NSStatusItemSelectionPadding = 12;
NSStatusItemSpacing = 12;

The above values (12) would be replaced by your chosen settings.

Q: Will this app hide menu bar icons??

No, but I will consider adding other functionality over time.

Q: What is the max value for menu bar icon spacing and padding??

It varies based on the current screen size and menu bar height. Thus, you may see that it's possible to choose settings that vary across different screen resolutions.

Q: How do I know this program is actually working?

The effect is subtle since Mac screens consist of tens of thousands of pixels, but the cumulative effect will be noticeable. Try focusing on a specific place on your screen, for example, the new tab (+) icon in the Firefox browser. Next, look at a specific menu bar icon and its proximity to the (+) icon. Then, try out different spacing and padding sizes – e.g. smaller values like '4', '2', '0', etc. and apply them. You should notice that your menu bar icons will appear further away from the (+) icon relative to where they were using larger spacing and padding values.

Q: How is this app different from Menu Bar Spacing?

These apps are functionally very similar though Menu Bar Spacing is a bit slicker (Sindre Sorhus' apps usually are!), but Gaps runs on older versions of macOS whereas Menu Bar Spacing only runs on macOS Sonoma and later.

Q: Can't I just adjust the spacing between menu bar icons using the Terminal?

Yes, you certainly can. The main advantage of using Gaps is you don't have to remember any complex command line settings. You can also quickly restore your changes.

Q: Why did you name this program Gaps?

I like to have fun with how I name my apps. Since this program adjusts the spacing between icons, it made me think about that British character actor, Terry-Thomas and his famous gap-laden smile. Thus, the program name came to me.

Q: This program isn’t bad. Do you have others?

Yes. I’ve made quite a few. You can find them here: https://www.widgetworx.com/apps/