Cortex Shelf

Cortex Shelf is a productivity layer from Cortex Labs that lives permanently in the Mac notch, with no windows, no login and no telemetry. It offers a shelf area where you can park files, text and links one gesture away while moving things between apps, a smart searchable clipboard, quick notes, a drop zone and screenshots. When collapsed it's a static layer using essentially zero GPU, with Aurora and Liquid Glass effects only appearing while you interact. It also includes a now-playing view, calendar and other handy widgets, works best on macOS 26 and looks great even on Macs without a notch. Key Features: - Lives in the Notch: always-on layer with no Dock icon or window - Shelf Area: park files, text and links between apps - Smart Clipboard: searchable clipboard history - Quick Notes and Screenshots: capture ideas and images instantly - Lightweight and Private: near-zero GPU use, no login, no telemetry Cortex Shelf turns the notch into a tidy home for files, clips and notes, completely free.