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Brian Sunter

CuckooTimer

A charming 3D cuckoo clock for macOS that lives in your menu bar, providing gentle time awareness without the stress.

Swift SwiftUI SceneKit macOS 3D
Cover image for CuckooTimer

Overview

A delightful macOS menu bar app featuring a 3D cuckoo clock that helps you stay aware of time’s passage. Unlike stressful productivity timers, CuckooTimer offers gentle, charming reminders to take breaks and stay mindful.

Features

  • Menu Bar Integration: Lives in your menu bar with no dock icon
  • 3D Cuckoo Bird: Adorable animated character emerges when it’s time for a break
  • Customizable Intervals: Set reminders for 15, 30, or 60 minutes
  • Multiple Modes: Auto-hide, always visible, or sound-only
  • Working Hours: Configure when reminders appear
  • Smooth Animations: Delightful 3D animations and gentle sounds
  • Native macOS: Built with SwiftUI and SceneKit for a native feel
  • Auto-Updates: Stays current automatically

How It Works

  1. Set your ideal time interval (15, 30, or 60 minutes)
  2. Work peacefully while your companion keeps time in the background
  3. When time’s up, the 3D cuckoo bird emerges with animations and sounds
  4. Take a moment to stretch, breathe, or acknowledge the passing time

Technology Stack

  • Swift with SwiftUI
  • SceneKit for 3D rendering
  • macOS App Sandbox
  • Sparkle for auto-updates
  • Stripe for payments

Design Philosophy

Transform time awareness into a joyful moment. Unlike harsh productivity timers that induce stress, CuckooTimer creates a gentle, friendly relationship with time. It’s not about forcing productivity—it’s about mindful awareness and delightful reminders to pause.

Built to be a “productivity buddy” rather than a taskmaster, helping you stay aware of time passing without feeling nagged.