diff --git a/resources/tray/orca-menu-barTemplate.png b/resources/tray/orca-menu-barTemplate.png
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b98b90f2fda
Binary files /dev/null and b/resources/tray/orca-menu-barTemplate.png differ
diff --git a/resources/tray/orca-menu-barTemplate@2x.png b/resources/tray/orca-menu-barTemplate@2x.png
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..fffb571fe76
Binary files /dev/null and b/resources/tray/orca-menu-barTemplate@2x.png differ
diff --git a/src/main/index.ts b/src/main/index.ts
index 21c4a9ab51e..41fa5436492 100644
--- a/src/main/index.ts
+++ b/src/main/index.ts
@@ -118,7 +118,13 @@ import {
   ensureAutoUpdaterConfigured
 } from './window/attach-main-window-services'
 import { createMainWindow, loadMainWindow } from './window/createMainWindow'
-import { createSystemTray, destroySystemTray, setTrayAttention } from './tray/system-tray'
+import {
+  createSystemTray,
+  destroySystemTray,
+  setMacMenuBarIconVisible,
+  setTrayAttention,
+  type SystemTrayOptions
+} from './tray/system-tray'
 import { focusExistingMainWindow } from './window/focus-existing-window'
 import { notifyMainWindowBecameVisible } from './window/main-window-visibility'
 import { CodexAccountService } from './codex-accounts/service'
@@ -240,6 +246,10 @@ let keybindings: KeybindingService | null = null
 // sweep spare live sessions across that one reload (#5787).
 const expectedRendererReload = createWebContentsTimedFlag()
 const recoveryReloadInFlight = createWebContentsTimedFlag()
+// Why: the tray/menu-bar "Settings…" item can fire before a freshly created
+// renderer has attached its ui:openSettings listener, so leave a one-shot
+// intent the renderer pulls on mount instead of racing a time-based push.
+const pendingOpenSettings = createWebContentsTimedFlag()
 let firstWindowStartupServicesReady: Promise<void> = Promise.resolve()
 let managedWslCliReconciliationReady: Promise<void> = Promise.resolve()
 let managedWslCliStartupBarrierReady: Promise<void> = Promise.resolve()
@@ -667,6 +677,12 @@ ipcMain.handle('app:awaitFirstWindowStartupServices', async () => {
   await Promise.all([firstWindowStartupServicesReady, managedWslCliStartupBarrierReady])
 })
 
+// Why: the renderer pulls this once its ui:openSettings listener is attached so
+// a tray/menu-bar Settings request queued before mount is not lost to a race.
+ipcMain.handle('ui:consumePendingOpenSettings', (event) =>
+  pendingOpenSettings.matches(event.sender.id, { consume: true })
+)
+
 ipcMain.handle(
   'app:startupDiagnostic',
   (_event, event: string, details?: Record<string, unknown>) => {
@@ -789,6 +805,65 @@ function showMainWindowFromTray(): void {
   }
 }
 
+function openSettingsFromSystemMenu(): void {
+  const existingWindow = mainWindow && !mainWindow.isDestroyed() ? mainWindow : null
+  showMainWindowFromTray()
+  const targetWindow = mainWindow && !mainWindow.isDestroyed() ? mainWindow : null
+  if (!targetWindow) {
+    return
+  }
+  recordCrashBreadcrumb('settings_opened')
+
+  // Why: an already-mounted renderer has its ui:openSettings listener attached,
+  // so a direct push lands. A freshly recreated or still-loading renderer has
+  // not subscribed yet — a time-based push would race its useEffect and could
+  // be dropped (with no fallback if the load fails), so leave a one-shot intent
+  // it consumes on mount instead.
+  if (existingWindow === targetWindow && !targetWindow.webContents.isLoadingMainFrame()) {
+    targetWindow.webContents.send('ui:openSettings')
+    return
+  }
+  pendingOpenSettings.mark(targetWindow.webContents.id)
+}
+
+function quitFromSystemTray(): void {
+  if (mainWindow && !mainWindow.isDestroyed()) {
+    // Why: a real quit can still surface renderer save/discard prompts; the
+    // window must be visible if a hidden session vetoes shutdown.
+    showMainWindowFromTray()
+  }
+  // Why: set the quit latch before app.quit() so the window 'close' handler
+  // proceeds to teardown instead of re-hiding to the Windows tray.
+  isQuitting = true
+  app.quit()
+}
+
+function getSystemTrayOptions(): SystemTrayOptions | null {
+  if (!store) {
+    return null
+  }
+  return {
+    appIcon: store.getSettings().appIcon,
+    onOpen: showMainWindowFromTray,
+    onOpenSettings: openSettingsFromSystemMenu,
+    onCheckForUpdates: () => {
+      ensureAutoUpdaterConfigured()
+      checkForUpdatesFromMenu()
+    },
+    onQuit: quitFromSystemTray
+  }
+}
+
+function syncMacMenuBarIcon(showMenuBarIcon: boolean): void {
+  if (process.platform !== 'darwin' || isServeMode) {
+    return
+  }
+  const options = getSystemTrayOptions()
+  if (options) {
+    setMacMenuBarIconVisible(showMenuBarIcon, options)
+  }
+}
+
 function openMainWindow(): BrowserWindow {
   logStartupMilestone('open-main-window-start')
   if (!store) {
@@ -900,38 +975,31 @@ function openMainWindow(): BrowserWindow {
   })
   recordCrashBreadcrumb('main_window_created')
   logStartupMilestone('window-created')
-  // Why: new Tray() is a synchronous Shell_NotifyIcon call that can block for
-  // seconds while explorer.exe's notification area is busy (part of issue
-  // #7225's pre-paint stall), so create it after first paint. The timer
-  // fallback covers windows revealed without ready-to-show ever firing
-  // (createMainWindow's 10s reveal fallback) — those can still be
-  // hidden to the tray on close, so the icon must exist by then.
+  // Why: Windows Tray construction can synchronously block on Shell_NotifyIcon,
+  // so both desktop status-item platforms share post-paint creation. The timer
+  // fallback also covers windows revealed without ready-to-show ever firing;
+  // Windows still needs its close target and macOS still needs its entry point.
   let trayCreated = false
   const createSystemTrayDeferred = (): void => {
     if (trayCreated || window.isDestroyed() || isQuitting || !store) {
       return
     }
     trayCreated = true
-    // Why: Windows-only system tray. createSystemTray is idempotent and a
-    // no-op off win32, so calling it on each window open keeps exactly one
-    // live icon.
-    createSystemTray({
-      appIcon: store.getSettings().appIcon,
-      onOpen: showMainWindowFromTray,
-      onQuit: () => {
-        if (mainWindow && !mainWindow.isDestroyed()) {
-          // Why: a real quit can still surface renderer save/discard prompts;
-          // the window must be visible if a hidden-to-tray session vetoes
-          // shutdown.
-          showMainWindowFromTray()
-        }
-        // Why: set the quit latch before app.quit() so the window 'close'
-        // handler proceeds to teardown instead of re-hiding to the tray.
-        isQuitting = true
-        app.quit()
-      }
-    })
-    logStartupMilestone('tray-created')
+    // Why: keep the two macOS visibility paths in agreement — syncMacMenuBarIcon
+    // refuses serve mode, so the deferred creator must too, or an activated
+    // headless host would show an icon the live toggle can't manage.
+    if (
+      process.platform === 'darwin' &&
+      (isServeMode || store.getSettings().showMenuBarIcon === false)
+    ) {
+      return
+    }
+    // Why: Windows notification-area creation can block before first paint;
+    // macOS shares the deferred path to keep startup ordering identical.
+    const options = getSystemTrayOptions()
+    if (options && createSystemTray(options)) {
+      logStartupMilestone('tray-created')
+    }
   }
   window.once('ready-to-show', () => {
     logStartupMilestone('ready-to-show')
@@ -1681,6 +1749,13 @@ app.whenReady().then(async () => {
   const activeOrcaProfile = ensureActiveOrcaProfile()
   store = new Store({ dataFile: activeOrcaProfile.dataFile })
   logStartupMilestone('store-loaded')
+  store.onSettingsChanged((updates, settings) => {
+    if ('showMenuBarIcon' in updates) {
+      // Why: Store is the mutation authority for renderer, RPC, and future
+      // settings writes, so every macOS toggle updates the native item live.
+      syncMacMenuBarIcon(settings.showMenuBarIcon !== false)
+    }
+  })
   // Why: must run before ClaudeRuntimeAuthService's constructor sync — a Claude
   // CLI that survived the restart inside the daemon still holds the current
   // single-use refresh token, and an unguarded early refresh would rotate it
@@ -2014,10 +2089,7 @@ app.whenReady().then(async () => {
       }
       recordCrashBreadcrumb('manual_reload_requested', { ignoreCache })
     },
-    onOpenSettings: () => {
-      recordCrashBreadcrumb('settings_opened')
-      mainWindow?.webContents.send('ui:openSettings')
-    },
+    onOpenSettings: openSettingsFromSystemMenu,
     onOpenSetupGuide: (targetWindow) => {
       recordCrashBreadcrumb('setup_guide_opened')
       const targetBrowserWindow = targetWindow instanceof BrowserWindow ? targetWindow : null
diff --git a/src/main/ipc/notifications.ts b/src/main/ipc/notifications.ts
index 4eb8938f2b4..9d6c825498d 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/notifications.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/notifications.ts
@@ -436,8 +436,8 @@ export function registerNotificationHandlers(store: Store, runtime?: OrcaRuntime
       // hold back the dot. It rides the notification dispatch, so it follows the
       // renderer's per-source decision to notify: bells always reach here, while
       // an agent completion is suppressed upstream when its notification is
-      // disabled. Tray exists only on Windows, so setTrayAttention no-ops
-      // elsewhere.
+      // disabled. The status item exists on Windows and macOS, so
+      // setTrayAttention lights its attention dot there and no-ops on Linux.
       if (args.source === 'agent-task-complete' || args.source === 'terminal-bell') {
         const activeWindow = BrowserWindow.getAllWindows().find((win) => !win.isDestroyed()) ?? null
         if (!isMainWindowVisible(activeWindow)) {
diff --git a/src/main/persistence.test.ts b/src/main/persistence.test.ts
index 3564b00b82b..b83bde42fa4 100644
--- a/src/main/persistence.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/persistence.test.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import type {
   ProjectGroup,
   ProjectHostSetup,
   Repo,
+  GlobalSettings,
   TerminalPaneLayoutNode,
   TerminalTab,
   WorktreeLineage,
@@ -648,6 +649,57 @@ describe('Store', () => {
     expect(store.getSettings().minimizeToTrayOnClose).toBe(false)
   })
 
+  it('defaults the menu bar icon on only for macOS', async () => {
+    await withPlatform('darwin', async () => {
+      const store = await createStore()
+      expect(store.getSettings().showMenuBarIcon).toBe(true)
+    })
+
+    await withPlatform('linux', async () => {
+      const store = await createStore()
+      expect(store.getSettings().showMenuBarIcon).toBe(false)
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('enables the menu bar icon when an existing macOS profile has no stored value', async () => {
+    await withPlatform('darwin', async () => {
+      const persisted = getDefaultPersistedState(testState.dir)
+      delete (persisted.settings as Partial<GlobalSettings>).showMenuBarIcon
+      writeDataFile(persisted)
+
+      const store = await createStore()
+
+      expect(store.getSettings().showMenuBarIcon).toBe(true)
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('persists an explicit macOS menu bar opt-out', async () => {
+    await withPlatform('darwin', async () => {
+      const store = await createStore()
+      store.updateSettings({ showMenuBarIcon: false })
+      store.flush()
+
+      expect((readDataFile() as PersistedState).settings.showMenuBarIcon).toBe(false)
+      expect((await createStore()).getSettings().showMenuBarIcon).toBe(false)
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('normalizes menu bar icon writes to a platform-scoped boolean', async () => {
+    await withPlatform('darwin', async () => {
+      const store = await createStore()
+      store.updateSettings({ showMenuBarIcon: 'true' as unknown as boolean })
+      expect(store.getSettings().showMenuBarIcon).toBe(false)
+      store.updateSettings({ showMenuBarIcon: true })
+      expect(store.getSettings().showMenuBarIcon).toBe(true)
+    })
+
+    await withPlatform('win32', async () => {
+      const store = await createStore()
+      store.updateSettings({ showMenuBarIcon: true })
+      expect(store.getSettings().showMenuBarIcon).toBe(false)
+    })
+  })
+
   it('defaults trayMinimizeNoticeShown to false and persists it strictly', async () => {
     const store = await createStore()
     expect(store.getUI().trayMinimizeNoticeShown).toBe(false)
diff --git a/src/main/persistence.ts b/src/main/persistence.ts
index d407b9362d3..559dc2f7979 100644
--- a/src/main/persistence.ts
+++ b/src/main/persistence.ts
@@ -3200,6 +3200,10 @@ export class Store {
             // Why: persisted settings can be user-edited or written by older
             // builds; keep tray-minimize false unless the stored value is true.
             minimizeToTrayOnClose: parsed.settings?.minimizeToTrayOnClose === true,
+            // Why: missing means default-on for existing macOS profiles, while
+            // other platforms must never gain a local menu-bar side effect.
+            showMenuBarIcon:
+              process.platform === 'darwin' && parsed.settings?.showMenuBarIcon !== false,
             uiLanguage: normalizeUiLanguage(parsed.settings?.uiLanguage),
             defaultTaskSource: taskProviderSettings.defaultTaskSource,
             visibleTaskProviders: taskProviderSettings.visibleTaskProviders,
@@ -5265,6 +5269,10 @@ export class Store {
     if ('minimizeToTrayOnClose' in updates) {
       sanitizedUpdates.minimizeToTrayOnClose = updates.minimizeToTrayOnClose === true
     }
+    if ('showMenuBarIcon' in updates) {
+      sanitizedUpdates.showMenuBarIcon =
+        process.platform === 'darwin' && updates.showMenuBarIcon === true
+    }
     if ('disabledTuiAgents' in updates) {
       sanitizedUpdates.disabledTuiAgents = normalizeDisabledTuiAgents(updates.disabledTuiAgents)
     }
diff --git a/src/main/tray/system-tray.test.ts b/src/main/tray/system-tray.test.ts
index 9f5ad72caad..b85526f0273 100644
--- a/src/main/tray/system-tray.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/tray/system-tray.test.ts
@@ -2,19 +2,59 @@ import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 import type * as SystemTrayModule from './system-tray'
 
 const {
-  trayInstances,
-  menuFromTemplateMock,
-  createAppIconImageMock,
+  attentionImage,
+  baseMacImage,
   composeAttentionMock,
-  resizedImage
+  createAppIconImageMock,
+  createFromPathMock,
+  menuFromTemplateMock,
+  nativeThemeMock,
+  resizedImage,
+  retinaMacImage,
+  themeState,
+  tintedMacImage,
+  tintTemplateMock,
+  trayInstances
 } = vi.hoisted(() => {
-  const resizedImage = { resized: true }
+  const makeImage = (name: string) => ({
+    name,
+    addRepresentation: vi.fn(),
+    getSize: vi.fn(() => ({ width: 16, height: 16 })),
+    setTemplateImage: vi.fn(),
+    toBitmap: vi.fn(() => Buffer.alloc(16 * 16 * 4)),
+    toDataURL: vi.fn(() => `data:image/png;base64,${name}`)
+  })
+  const resizedImage = makeImage('windows')
+  const baseMacImage = makeImage('mac-base')
+  const retinaMacImage = makeImage('mac-retina')
+  const tintedMacImage = makeImage('mac-tinted')
+  const attentionImage = makeImage('attention')
+  const themeState = { updatedListener: null as (() => void) | null }
+  const nativeThemeMock = {
+    shouldUseDarkColors: false,
+    on: vi.fn((_event: string, listener: () => void) => {
+      themeState.updatedListener = listener
+    }),
+    removeListener: vi.fn((_event: string, listener: () => void) => {
+      if (themeState.updatedListener === listener) {
+        themeState.updatedListener = null
+      }
+    })
+  }
   return {
-    trayInstances: [] as FakeTray[],
-    menuFromTemplateMock: vi.fn((template: unknown) => ({ template })),
+    attentionImage,
+    baseMacImage,
+    composeAttentionMock: vi.fn(() => attentionImage),
     createAppIconImageMock: vi.fn(),
-    composeAttentionMock: vi.fn((image: unknown) => ({ dotted: image })),
-    resizedImage
+    createFromPathMock: vi.fn(),
+    menuFromTemplateMock: vi.fn((template: unknown) => ({ template })),
+    nativeThemeMock,
+    resizedImage,
+    retinaMacImage,
+    themeState,
+    tintedMacImage,
+    tintTemplateMock: vi.fn(() => tintedMacImage),
+    trayInstances: [] as FakeTray[]
   }
 })
 
@@ -32,7 +72,17 @@ class FakeTray {
 
 vi.mock('electron', () => ({
   Tray: FakeTray,
-  Menu: { buildFromTemplate: menuFromTemplateMock }
+  Menu: { buildFromTemplate: menuFromTemplateMock },
+  nativeImage: { createFromPath: createFromPathMock },
+  nativeTheme: nativeThemeMock
+}))
+
+vi.mock('../../../resources/tray/orca-menu-barTemplate.png?asset&asarUnpack', () => ({
+  default: '/assets/orca-menu-barTemplate.png'
+}))
+
+vi.mock('../../../resources/tray/orca-menu-barTemplate@2x.png?asset&asarUnpack', () => ({
+  default: '/assets/orca-menu-barTemplate@2x.png'
 }))
 
 vi.mock('../app-icon', () => ({
@@ -40,10 +90,12 @@ vi.mock('../app-icon', () => ({
 }))
 
 vi.mock('./tray-attention-icon', () => ({
-  composeTrayAttentionIcon: composeAttentionMock
+  composeTrayAttentionIcon: composeAttentionMock,
+  tintTrayTemplateForAttention: tintTemplateMock
 }))
 
 type TrayModule = typeof SystemTrayModule
+type MenuItem = { label?: string; type?: string; click?: () => void }
 
 const originalPlatform = process.platform
 
@@ -56,7 +108,15 @@ async function loadModule(): Promise<TrayModule> {
   return import('./system-tray')
 }
 
-type MenuItem = { label?: string; type?: string; click?: () => void }
+function createOptions() {
+  return {
+    appIcon: 'classic',
+    onOpen: vi.fn(),
+    onOpenSettings: vi.fn(),
+    onCheckForUpdates: vi.fn(),
+    onQuit: vi.fn()
+  }
+}
 
 function builtMenuItems(): MenuItem[] {
   return menuFromTemplateMock.mock.calls.at(-1)?.[0] as MenuItem[]
@@ -66,139 +126,254 @@ beforeEach(() => {
   trayInstances.length = 0
   menuFromTemplateMock.mockClear()
   composeAttentionMock.mockClear()
+  tintTemplateMock.mockClear()
   createAppIconImageMock.mockReset()
   createAppIconImageMock.mockReturnValue({ resize: vi.fn(() => resizedImage) })
+  createFromPathMock.mockReset()
+  createFromPathMock.mockImplementation((path: string) =>
+    path.includes('@2x') ? retinaMacImage : baseMacImage
+  )
+  for (const image of [baseMacImage, retinaMacImage, tintedMacImage, attentionImage]) {
+    image.addRepresentation.mockClear()
+    image.getSize.mockReset().mockReturnValue({ width: 16, height: 16 })
+    image.setTemplateImage.mockClear()
+    image.toBitmap.mockClear()
+    image.toDataURL.mockClear().mockReturnValue(`data:image/png;base64,${image.name}`)
+  }
+  nativeThemeMock.shouldUseDarkColors = false
+  nativeThemeMock.on.mockClear()
+  nativeThemeMock.removeListener.mockClear()
+  themeState.updatedListener = null
 })
 
 afterEach(() => {
   setPlatform(originalPlatform)
+  vi.restoreAllMocks()
 })
 
 describe('createSystemTray', () => {
-  it('creates a tray with an Orca tooltip and Open/Quit menu on win32', async () => {
+  it('keeps the Windows icon, Open/Quit menu, and left-click behavior', async () => {
     setPlatform('win32')
     const { createSystemTray } = await loadModule()
-    const onOpen = vi.fn()
-    const onQuit = vi.fn()
+    const options = createOptions()
 
-    const tray = createSystemTray({ appIcon: 'classic', onOpen, onQuit })
+    createSystemTray(options)
 
-    expect(tray).not.toBeNull()
     expect(trayInstances).toHaveLength(1)
     expect(trayInstances[0].image).toBe(resizedImage)
     expect(trayInstances[0].setToolTip).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Orca')
-    const items = builtMenuItems()
-    expect(items.map((i) => i.label)).toEqual(['Open Orca', undefined, 'Quit'])
-    expect(items[1].type).toBe('separator')
+    expect(builtMenuItems().map((item) => item.label)).toEqual(['Open Orca', undefined, 'Quit'])
+    const clickHandler = trayInstances[0].on.mock.calls.find((call) => call[0] === 'click')?.[1]
+    expect(clickHandler).toBeTypeOf('function')
+
+    builtMenuItems()[0].click?.()
+    ;(clickHandler as () => void)()
+    builtMenuItems()[2].click?.()
+    expect(options.onOpen).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+    expect(options.onQuit).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
   })
 
-  it('wires Open Orca, the tray click, and Quit to their callbacks', async () => {
-    setPlatform('win32')
-    const { createSystemTray } = await loadModule()
-    const onOpen = vi.fn()
-    const onQuit = vi.fn()
-
-    createSystemTray({ appIcon: 'classic', onOpen, onQuit })
-
-    const items = builtMenuItems()
-    items.find((i) => i.label === 'Open Orca')?.click?.()
-    expect(onOpen).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
-
-    const clickHandler = trayInstances[0].on.mock.calls.find((c) => c[0] === 'click')?.[1] as
-      | (() => void)
-      | undefined
-    clickHandler?.()
-    expect(onOpen).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
-
-    items.find((i) => i.label === 'Quit')?.click?.()
-    expect(onQuit).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
-  })
-
-  it('is idempotent: a second call does not create a duplicate tray', async () => {
-    setPlatform('win32')
-    const { createSystemTray } = await loadModule()
-    const opts = { appIcon: 'classic', onOpen: vi.fn(), onQuit: vi.fn() }
-
-    const first = createSystemTray(opts)
-    const second = createSystemTray(opts)
-
-    expect(trayInstances).toHaveLength(1)
-    expect(second).toBe(first)
-  })
-
-  it('is a no-op on non-win32 platforms', async () => {
+  it('creates a macOS template status item with the full native menu', async () => {
     setPlatform('darwin')
     const { createSystemTray } = await loadModule()
+    const options = createOptions()
 
-    const tray = createSystemTray({ appIcon: 'classic', onOpen: vi.fn(), onQuit: vi.fn() })
+    createSystemTray(options)
 
-    expect(tray).toBeNull()
+    expect(trayInstances).toHaveLength(1)
+    expect(trayInstances[0].image).toBe(baseMacImage)
+    expect(baseMacImage.setTemplateImage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(true)
+    expect(baseMacImage.addRepresentation).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      scaleFactor: 2,
+      dataURL: 'data:image/png;base64,mac-retina'
+    })
+    expect(builtMenuItems().map((item) => item.label)).toEqual([
+      'Open Orca',
+      undefined,
+      'Settings...',
+      'Check for Updates...',
+      undefined,
+      'Quit'
+    ])
+    expect(trayInstances[0].on).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(nativeThemeMock.on).toHaveBeenCalledWith('updated', expect.any(Function))
+
+    for (const [label, callback] of [
+      ['Open Orca', options.onOpen],
+      ['Settings...', options.onOpenSettings],
+      ['Check for Updates...', options.onCheckForUpdates],
+      ['Quit', options.onQuit]
+    ] as const) {
+      builtMenuItems()
+        .find((item) => item.label === label)
+        ?.click?.()
+      expect(callback).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+    }
+  })
+
+  it('does not create a blank macOS item when the template asset fails to load', async () => {
+    setPlatform('darwin')
+    baseMacImage.getSize.mockReturnValue({ width: 0, height: 0 })
+    const warn = vi.spyOn(console, 'warn').mockImplementation(() => {})
+    const { createSystemTray } = await loadModule()
+
+    expect(createSystemTray(createOptions())).toBeNull()
     expect(trayInstances).toHaveLength(0)
+    expect(warn).toHaveBeenCalledWith('[system-tray] macOS menu bar icon could not be loaded')
+  })
+
+  it('is idempotent and remains disabled on Linux', async () => {
+    setPlatform('darwin')
+    const { createSystemTray } = await loadModule()
+    const options = createOptions()
+    expect(createSystemTray(options)).toBe(createSystemTray(options))
+    expect(trayInstances).toHaveLength(1)
+
+    setPlatform('linux')
+    const linuxModule = await loadModule()
+    expect(linuxModule.createSystemTray(options)).toBeNull()
+  })
+})
+
+describe('macOS visibility', () => {
+  it('creates and destroys the item as the setting toggles', async () => {
+    setPlatform('darwin')
+    const { setMacMenuBarIconVisible } = await loadModule()
+    const options = createOptions()
+
+    expect(setMacMenuBarIconVisible(false, options)).toBeNull()
+    expect(trayInstances).toHaveLength(0)
+    expect(setMacMenuBarIconVisible(true, options)).not.toBeNull()
+    expect(trayInstances).toHaveLength(1)
+
+    setMacMenuBarIconVisible(false, options)
+    setMacMenuBarIconVisible(false, options)
+    expect(trayInstances[0].destroy).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
   })
 })
 
 describe('setTrayAttention', () => {
-  it('swaps in the dotted icon when active and restores the base when cleared', async () => {
+  it('preserves the Windows attention swap behavior', async () => {
     setPlatform('win32')
     const { createSystemTray, setTrayAttention } = await loadModule()
-    createSystemTray({ appIcon: 'classic', onOpen: vi.fn(), onQuit: vi.fn() })
-    const tray = trayInstances[0]
-    tray.setImage.mockClear()
+    createSystemTray(createOptions())
+    const created = trayInstances[0]
+    created.setImage.mockClear()
 
     setTrayAttention(true)
     expect(composeAttentionMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(resizedImage)
-    expect(tray.setImage).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ dotted: resizedImage })
-
-    tray.setImage.mockClear()
+    expect(created.setImage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(attentionImage)
     setTrayAttention(false)
-    expect(tray.setImage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(resizedImage)
+    expect(created.setImage).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(resizedImage)
   })
 
-  it('ignores repeated same-state calls', async () => {
-    setPlatform('win32')
-    const { createSystemTray, setTrayAttention } = await loadModule()
-    createSystemTray({ appIcon: 'classic', onOpen: vi.fn(), onQuit: vi.fn() })
-    const tray = trayInstances[0]
-    tray.setImage.mockClear()
-
-    setTrayAttention(true)
-    setTrayAttention(true)
-
-    expect(tray.setImage).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
-  })
-
-  it('reflects attention that was requested before the tray was created', async () => {
-    setPlatform('win32')
-    const { createSystemTray, setTrayAttention } = await loadModule()
-
-    // Fire the event before the (deferred) tray exists.
-    setTrayAttention(true)
-    createSystemTray({ appIcon: 'classic', onOpen: vi.fn(), onQuit: vi.fn() })
-    const tray = trayInstances[0]
-
-    expect(tray.setImage).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ dotted: resizedImage })
-  })
-
-  it('is a safe no-op on non-win32 platforms', async () => {
+  it('uses a literal theme-aware glyph for macOS attention, then restores template mode', async () => {
     setPlatform('darwin')
-    const { setTrayAttention } = await loadModule()
+    const { createSystemTray, setTrayAttention } = await loadModule()
+    createSystemTray(createOptions())
+    const created = trayInstances[0]
+    created.setImage.mockClear()
+    created.setToolTip.mockClear()
 
-    expect(() => setTrayAttention(true)).not.toThrow()
-    expect(composeAttentionMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    setTrayAttention(true)
+    expect(tintTemplateMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(baseMacImage, false)
+    expect(composeAttentionMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(tintedMacImage)
+    expect(attentionImage.setTemplateImage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(false)
+    expect(created.setImage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(attentionImage)
+    expect(created.setToolTip).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Orca - activity waiting')
+
+    setTrayAttention(false)
+    expect(baseMacImage.setTemplateImage).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(true)
+    expect(created.setImage).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(baseMacImage)
+    expect(created.setToolTip).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith('Orca')
+  })
+
+  it('recomposes active macOS attention when the system appearance changes', async () => {
+    setPlatform('darwin')
+    const { createSystemTray, setTrayAttention } = await loadModule()
+    createSystemTray(createOptions())
+    setTrayAttention(true)
+    tintTemplateMock.mockClear()
+    nativeThemeMock.shouldUseDarkColors = true
+
+    themeState.updatedListener?.()
+
+    expect(tintTemplateMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(baseMacImage, true)
+  })
+
+  it('reflects attention requested before deferred macOS creation', async () => {
+    setPlatform('darwin')
+    const { createSystemTray, setTrayAttention } = await loadModule()
+    setTrayAttention(true)
+    createSystemTray(createOptions())
+
+    expect(trayInstances[0].setImage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(attentionImage)
   })
 })
 
 describe('destroySystemTray', () => {
-  it('destroys an existing tray and is safe to call without one', async () => {
-    setPlatform('win32')
+  it('destroys idempotently and removes the macOS appearance listener', async () => {
+    setPlatform('darwin')
     const { createSystemTray, destroySystemTray } = await loadModule()
-    createSystemTray({ appIcon: 'classic', onOpen: vi.fn(), onQuit: vi.fn() })
+    createSystemTray(createOptions())
     const created = trayInstances[0]
+    const listener = themeState.updatedListener
 
     destroySystemTray()
-    expect(created.destroy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    destroySystemTray()
 
-    // Second call with no live tray must not throw.
-    expect(() => destroySystemTray()).not.toThrow()
+    expect(created.destroy).toHaveBeenCalledOnce()
+    expect(nativeThemeMock.removeListener).toHaveBeenCalledWith('updated', listener)
+  })
+})
+
+describe('macOS hardening', () => {
+  it('warns but still creates the item when only the @2x asset fails to load', async () => {
+    setPlatform('darwin')
+    retinaMacImage.getSize.mockReturnValue({ width: 0, height: 0 })
+    const warn = vi.spyOn(console, 'warn').mockImplementation(() => {})
+    const { createSystemTray } = await loadModule()
+
+    expect(createSystemTray(createOptions())).not.toBeNull()
+    expect(trayInstances).toHaveLength(1)
+    expect(baseMacImage.addRepresentation).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(warn).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      '[system-tray] macOS retina menu bar icon could not be loaded'
+    )
+  })
+
+  it('degrades to the plain icon instead of throwing when attention composition fails', async () => {
+    setPlatform('darwin')
+    const warn = vi.spyOn(console, 'warn').mockImplementation(() => {})
+    const { createSystemTray, setTrayAttention } = await loadModule()
+    createSystemTray(createOptions())
+    const created = trayInstances[0]
+    created.setImage.mockClear()
+    composeAttentionMock.mockImplementationOnce(() => {
+      throw new Error('native image failure')
+    })
+
+    expect(() => setTrayAttention(true)).not.toThrow()
+    expect(created.setImage).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(baseMacImage)
+    expect(created.setToolTip).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith('Orca')
+    expect(warn).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      '[system-tray] macOS attention icon failed; showing plain icon',
+      expect.any(Error)
+    )
+  })
+
+  it('contains a throwing menu-item callback instead of crashing', async () => {
+    setPlatform('darwin')
+    const error = vi.spyOn(console, 'error').mockImplementation(() => {})
+    const { createSystemTray } = await loadModule()
+    const options = createOptions()
+    options.onOpenSettings.mockImplementation(() => {
+      throw new Error('boom')
+    })
+    createSystemTray(options)
+
+    const settingsItem = builtMenuItems().find((item) => item.label === 'Settings...')
+    expect(() => settingsItem?.click?.()).not.toThrow()
+    expect(error).toHaveBeenCalledWith('[system-tray] menu action failed', expect.any(Error))
   })
 })
diff --git a/src/main/tray/system-tray.ts b/src/main/tray/system-tray.ts
index ada6f58c4e9..3cda04cac7f 100644
--- a/src/main/tray/system-tray.ts
+++ b/src/main/tray/system-tray.ts
@@ -1,13 +1,19 @@
-import { Menu, Tray, type NativeImage } from 'electron'
+import { Menu, Tray, nativeImage, nativeTheme, type NativeImage } from 'electron'
+import menuBarIconPath from '../../../resources/tray/orca-menu-barTemplate.png?asset&asarUnpack'
+import menuBarIconRetinaPath from '../../../resources/tray/orca-menu-barTemplate@2x.png?asset&asarUnpack'
 import { createAppIconImage } from '../app-icon'
 import { translateMain } from '../i18n/main-i18n'
-import { composeTrayAttentionIcon } from './tray-attention-icon'
+import { composeTrayAttentionIcon, tintTrayTemplateForAttention } from './tray-attention-icon'
 
-type SystemTrayOptions = {
+export type SystemTrayOptions = {
   /** App icon id from settings; the tray reuses the app icon image. */
   appIcon: unknown
   /** Restore + show + focus the main window (recreating it if needed). */
   onOpen: () => void
+  /** Restore the main window and open its Settings surface. */
+  onOpenSettings: () => void
+  /** Run the existing user-initiated update check. */
+  onCheckForUpdates: () => void
   /** Quit Orca for real (caller must set the quitting latch before quitting). */
   onQuit: () => void
 }
@@ -25,6 +31,8 @@ let baseTrayImage: NativeImage | null = null
 // freshly created tray reflects it immediately.
 let attentionActive = false
 
+let nativeThemeUpdatedListener: (() => void) | null = null
+
 // Why: on Windows the notification area expects a 16px icon; the app icon PNG
 // is larger, so downscale to avoid a cropped/blurry tray glyph.
 const TRAY_ICON_SIZE = 16
@@ -35,46 +43,191 @@ function applyTrayImage(): void {
   if (!tray || tray.isDestroyed() || !baseTrayImage) {
     return
   }
+
+  if (process.platform === 'darwin') {
+    if (attentionActive) {
+      try {
+        // Why: disabling template tinting makes the amber dot possible, but the
+        // glyph then needs literal pixels chosen for the current menu-bar theme.
+        const tintedGlyph = tintTrayTemplateForAttention(
+          baseTrayImage,
+          nativeTheme.shouldUseDarkColors
+        )
+        const attentionImage = composeTrayAttentionIcon(tintedGlyph)
+        attentionImage.setTemplateImage(false)
+        tray.setImage(attentionImage)
+        tray.setToolTip(translateMain('tray.activityWaiting', 'Orca - activity waiting'))
+        return
+      } catch (error) {
+        // Why: this path runs inside unguarded callbacks (nativeTheme 'updated',
+        // the notification bell), so a NativeImage failure must degrade to the
+        // plain template icon rather than throw an uncaught exception into them.
+        console.warn('[system-tray] macOS attention icon failed; showing plain icon', error)
+      }
+    }
+
+    baseTrayImage.setTemplateImage(true)
+    tray.setImage(baseTrayImage)
+    tray.setToolTip('Orca')
+    return
+  }
+
   tray.setImage(attentionActive ? composeTrayAttentionIcon(baseTrayImage) : baseTrayImage)
 }
 
+function createMacMenuBarImage(): NativeImage | null {
+  const image = nativeImage.createFromPath(menuBarIconPath)
+  const { width, height } = image.getSize()
+  if (width <= 0 || height <= 0) {
+    console.warn('[system-tray] macOS menu bar icon could not be loaded')
+    return null
+  }
+
+  const retinaImage = nativeImage.createFromPath(menuBarIconRetinaPath)
+  const retinaSize = retinaImage.getSize()
+  if (retinaSize.width > 0 && retinaSize.height > 0) {
+    try {
+      // Why: importing the @2x asset guarantees it is packaged; adding the
+      // representation explicitly avoids relying on bundler-renamed siblings.
+      image.addRepresentation({
+        scaleFactor: 2,
+        dataURL: retinaImage.toDataURL()
+      })
+    } catch (error) {
+      // Why: a bad @2x representation must not abort tray creation; the 1x image
+      // still renders (just blurrier on Retina).
+      console.warn('[system-tray] macOS retina menu bar icon could not be added', error)
+    }
+  } else {
+    // Why: surface the silently-degraded (non-Retina) icon so a blurry menu-bar
+    // glyph on a modern display is diagnosable, matching the base-image warning.
+    console.warn('[system-tray] macOS retina menu bar icon could not be loaded')
+  }
+  image.setTemplateImage(true)
+  return image
+}
+
+function watchMacAppearance(): void {
+  if (nativeThemeUpdatedListener) {
+    return
+  }
+  nativeThemeUpdatedListener = () => {
+    if (attentionActive) {
+      applyTrayImage()
+    }
+  }
+  nativeTheme.on('updated', nativeThemeUpdatedListener)
+}
+
+function stopWatchingMacAppearance(): void {
+  if (!nativeThemeUpdatedListener) {
+    return
+  }
+  nativeTheme.removeListener('updated', nativeThemeUpdatedListener)
+  nativeThemeUpdatedListener = null
+}
+
+// Why: Electron Menu/Tray click callbacks are plain event listeners (not
+// promise-wrapped like ipcMain.handle), so an uncaught throw here is fatal to
+// the main process; contain it to a logged, failed menu action instead.
+function safeMenuAction(action: () => void): () => void {
+  return () => {
+    try {
+      action()
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('[system-tray] menu action failed', error)
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 /**
- * Creates the Windows system tray icon. No-op on macOS/Linux. Idempotent: a
- * second call while a tray is alive returns the existing one instead of
- * stacking a duplicate ghost icon.
+ * Creates the Windows notification icon or macOS menu bar status item. No-op
+ * on Linux. Idempotent: repeated calls never stack duplicate icons.
  */
 export function createSystemTray(opts: SystemTrayOptions): Tray | null {
-  if (process.platform !== 'win32') {
+  if (process.platform !== 'win32' && process.platform !== 'darwin') {
     return null
   }
   if (tray && !tray.isDestroyed()) {
     return tray
   }
-  baseTrayImage = createAppIconImage(opts.appIcon).resize({
-    width: TRAY_ICON_SIZE,
-    height: TRAY_ICON_SIZE
-  })
+
+  if (process.platform === 'darwin') {
+    baseTrayImage = createMacMenuBarImage()
+    if (!baseTrayImage) {
+      return null
+    }
+  } else {
+    baseTrayImage = createAppIconImage(opts.appIcon).resize({
+      width: TRAY_ICON_SIZE,
+      height: TRAY_ICON_SIZE
+    })
+  }
+
   tray = new Tray(baseTrayImage)
   // Why: reflect any attention event that fired before the tray existed.
   applyTrayImage()
-  tray.setToolTip('Orca')
-  const menu = Menu.buildFromTemplate([
-    { label: translateMain('tray.openOrca', 'Open Orca'), click: () => opts.onOpen() },
-    { type: 'separator' },
-    { label: translateMain('tray.quit', 'Quit'), click: () => opts.onQuit() }
-  ])
+
+  const menu = Menu.buildFromTemplate(
+    process.platform === 'darwin'
+      ? [
+          {
+            label: translateMain('tray.openOrca', 'Open Orca'),
+            click: safeMenuAction(() => opts.onOpen())
+          },
+          { type: 'separator' },
+          {
+            label: translateMain('tray.settings', 'Settings...'),
+            click: safeMenuAction(() => opts.onOpenSettings())
+          },
+          {
+            label: translateMain('tray.checkForUpdates', 'Check for Updates...'),
+            click: safeMenuAction(() => opts.onCheckForUpdates())
+          },
+          { type: 'separator' },
+          { label: translateMain('tray.quit', 'Quit'), click: safeMenuAction(() => opts.onQuit()) }
+        ]
+      : [
+          {
+            label: translateMain('tray.openOrca', 'Open Orca'),
+            click: safeMenuAction(() => opts.onOpen())
+          },
+          { type: 'separator' },
+          { label: translateMain('tray.quit', 'Quit'), click: safeMenuAction(() => opts.onQuit()) }
+        ]
+  )
   tray.setContextMenu(menu)
-  // Why: a left-click on the tray icon is the conventional Windows gesture to
-  // restore a minimized-to-tray app.
-  tray.on('click', () => opts.onOpen())
+  if (process.platform === 'win32') {
+    tray.setToolTip('Orca')
+    // Why: a left-click on the tray icon is the conventional Windows gesture to
+    // restore a minimized-to-tray app; macOS opens the attached menu instead.
+    tray.on(
+      'click',
+      safeMenuAction(() => opts.onOpen())
+    )
+  } else {
+    watchMacAppearance()
+  }
   return tray
 }
 
+/** Applies the persisted macOS visibility preference without affecting Windows. */
+export function setMacMenuBarIconVisible(visible: boolean, opts: SystemTrayOptions): Tray | null {
+  if (process.platform !== 'darwin') {
+    return null
+  }
+  if (!visible) {
+    destroySystemTray()
+    return null
+  }
+  return createSystemTray(opts)
+}
+
 /**
  * Shows or hides a red/amber attention dot on the tray icon. Call with `true`
  * when a terminal bell or agent completion fires while the window is
- * minimized/hidden, and `false` once the window is shown again. No-op on
- * macOS/Linux (no tray) and safe to call before the tray is created.
+ * minimized/hidden, and `false` once the window is shown again. Safe to call
+ * before the tray is created or on Linux where no tray is available.
  */
 export function setTrayAttention(active: boolean): void {
   if (attentionActive === active) {
@@ -86,6 +239,7 @@ export function setTrayAttention(active: boolean): void {
 
 /** Destroys the tray icon if present. Safe to call repeatedly or with no tray. */
 export function destroySystemTray(): void {
+  stopWatchingMacAppearance()
   if (tray && !tray.isDestroyed()) {
     tray.destroy()
   }
diff --git a/src/main/tray/tray-attention-icon.test.ts b/src/main/tray/tray-attention-icon.test.ts
index 42d554417e0..1bc00daa77c 100644
--- a/src/main/tray/tray-attention-icon.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/tray/tray-attention-icon.test.ts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ vi.mock('electron', () => ({
   nativeImage: { createFromBitmap: createFromBitmapMock }
 }))
 
-import { composeTrayAttentionIcon } from './tray-attention-icon'
+import { composeTrayAttentionIcon, tintTrayTemplateForAttention } from './tray-attention-icon'
 
 type FakeImage = {
   getSize: () => { width: number; height: number }
@@ -86,3 +86,32 @@ describe('composeTrayAttentionIcon', () => {
     expect(paintedInBottomLeft).toBe(0) // the opposite corner is never touched
   })
 })
+
+describe('tintTrayTemplateForAttention', () => {
+  it('preserves alpha while selecting literal black pixels for a light menu bar', () => {
+    createFromBitmapMock.mockClear()
+    const bitmap = Buffer.from([0x22, 0x33, 0x44, 0x80, 0xaa, 0xbb, 0xcc, 0x00])
+    const base = {
+      getSize: () => ({ width: 2, height: 1 }),
+      toBitmap: () => bitmap
+    }
+
+    tintTrayTemplateForAttention(base as never, false)
+
+    expect(createFromBitmapMock.mock.calls[0][0]).toEqual(
+      Buffer.from([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00])
+    )
+  })
+
+  it('selects literal white pixels for a dark menu bar', () => {
+    createFromBitmapMock.mockClear()
+    const base = {
+      getSize: () => ({ width: 1, height: 1 }),
+      toBitmap: () => Buffer.from([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0xff])
+    }
+
+    tintTrayTemplateForAttention(base as never, true)
+
+    expect(createFromBitmapMock.mock.calls[0][0]).toEqual(Buffer.from([0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff]))
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/main/tray/tray-attention-icon.ts b/src/main/tray/tray-attention-icon.ts
index d9b042db37f..5a7041f111e 100644
--- a/src/main/tray/tray-attention-icon.ts
+++ b/src/main/tray/tray-attention-icon.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,30 @@ const DOT_RGB = { r: 0xf5, g: 0x9e, b: 0x0b }
 // A near-white halo separates the dot from the icon glyph on any tray theme.
 const RING_RGB = { r: 0xff, g: 0xff, b: 0xff }
 
+/**
+ * Converts a template mask into a literal glyph for the attention state. A
+ * non-template image needs real RGB values because macOS no longer tints it.
+ */
+export function tintTrayTemplateForAttention(
+  base: NativeImage,
+  useLightGlyph: boolean
+): NativeImage {
+  const { width, height } = base.getSize()
+  if (width <= 0 || height <= 0) {
+    return base
+  }
+
+  const bitmap = Buffer.from(base.toBitmap())
+  const channel = useLightGlyph ? 0xff : 0x00
+  for (let offset = 0; offset < bitmap.length; offset += 4) {
+    bitmap[offset] = channel
+    bitmap[offset + 1] = channel
+    bitmap[offset + 2] = channel
+  }
+
+  return nativeImage.createFromBitmap(bitmap, { width, height })
+}
+
 /**
  * Returns a copy of `base` with a small amber attention dot composited into the
  * top-right corner. Electron's NativeImage has no compositing API, so we merge
diff --git a/src/preload/api-types.ts b/src/preload/api-types.ts
index 9d5e0b1fd90..1275fff62ba 100644
--- a/src/preload/api-types.ts
+++ b/src/preload/api-types.ts
@@ -2752,6 +2752,8 @@ export type PreloadApi = {
     recordFeatureInteraction: (id: FeatureInteractionId) => Promise<PersistedUIState>
     onStateChanged: (callback: (ui: PersistedUIState) => void) => () => void
     onOpenSettings: (callback: () => void) => () => void
+    /** Consumes a one-shot tray/menu-bar "open settings" intent queued before mount. */
+    consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise<boolean>
     onOpenSetupGuide: (callback: () => void) => () => void
     onOpenFeatureTour: (callback: () => void) => () => void
     onOpenCrashReport: (callback: () => void) => () => void
diff --git a/src/preload/index.ts b/src/preload/index.ts
index 699853f6c8d..d89531a35fe 100644
--- a/src/preload/index.ts
+++ b/src/preload/index.ts
@@ -3167,6 +3167,8 @@ const api = {
       ipcRenderer.on('ui:openSettings', listener)
       return () => ipcRenderer.removeListener('ui:openSettings', listener)
     },
+    consumePendingOpenSettings: (): Promise<boolean> =>
+      ipcRenderer.invoke('ui:consumePendingOpenSettings'),
     onOpenSetupGuide: (callback: () => void): (() => void) => {
       const listener = (_event: Electron.IpcRendererEvent) => callback()
       ipcRenderer.on('ui:openSetupGuide', listener)
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AppearanceInterfaceSection.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AppearanceInterfaceSection.tsx
index 31afc7d6843..9d5bb1cbbab 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AppearanceInterfaceSection.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AppearanceInterfaceSection.tsx
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import {
 import { DEFAULT_APP_FONT_FAMILY } from '../../../../shared/constants'
 import {
   getLanguageEntries,
+  getMenuBarIconEntries,
   getSystemTrayEntries,
   getThemeEntries,
   getTitlebarEntries,
@@ -37,6 +38,7 @@ type AppearanceInterfaceSectionProps = {
   updateSettings: (updates: Partial<GlobalSettings>) => void
   applyTheme: (theme: 'system' | 'dark' | 'light') => void
   fontSuggestions: string[]
+  isDesktopMac: boolean
   isDesktopWindows: boolean
   onRequestFontSuggestions?: () => void
   forceVisiblePrimary?: boolean
@@ -47,6 +49,7 @@ export function AppearanceInterfaceSection({
   updateSettings,
   applyTheme,
   fontSuggestions,
+  isDesktopMac,
   isDesktopWindows,
   onRequestFontSuggestions,
   forceVisiblePrimary = false
@@ -56,6 +59,7 @@ export function AppearanceInterfaceSection({
   const zoomInKeyCombos = useShortcutKeyComboDetails('zoom.in')
   const zoomOutKeyCombos = useShortcutKeyComboDetails('zoom.out')
   const languageEntry = getLanguageEntries()[0]
+  const menuBarIconEntry = getMenuBarIconEntries({ showMenuBarIcon: true })[0]
   const systemTrayEntry = getSystemTrayEntries({ showSystemTray: true })[0]
   const themeEntry = getThemeEntries()[0]
   const themeLabel = translate('auto.components.settings.AppearancePane.932ff1fbff', 'Theme')
@@ -65,7 +69,8 @@ export function AppearanceInterfaceSection({
   const advancedEntries = [
     ...(SHOW_UI_LANGUAGE_SETTING ? getLanguageEntries() : []),
     ...getTitlebarEntries(),
-    ...getSystemTrayEntries({ showSystemTray: isDesktopWindows })
+    ...getSystemTrayEntries({ showSystemTray: isDesktopWindows }),
+    ...getMenuBarIconEntries({ showMenuBarIcon: isDesktopMac })
   ]
   const showAdvanced = !isSearching || matchesSettingsSearch(searchQuery, advancedEntries)
 
@@ -236,6 +241,28 @@ export function AppearanceInterfaceSection({
                 />
               </SearchableSetting>
             ) : null}
+
+            {isDesktopMac ? (
+              <SearchableSetting
+                title={translate('settings.appearance.menuBarIcon.title', 'Show Menu Bar Icon')}
+                description={menuBarIconEntry?.description}
+                keywords={menuBarIconEntry?.keywords ?? ['menu bar', 'status item', 'activity']}
+              >
+                <SettingsSwitchRow
+                  label={translate('settings.appearance.menuBarIcon.title', 'Show Menu Bar Icon')}
+                  // Why: this opt-out removes only the status item; macOS Dock
+                  // activation and the close-keeps-running lifecycle stay intact.
+                  description={translate(
+                    'settings.appearance.menuBarIcon.description',
+                    'Keep an Orca shortcut and activity indicator in the macOS menu bar.'
+                  )}
+                  checked={settings.showMenuBarIcon !== false}
+                  onChange={() =>
+                    updateSettings({ showMenuBarIcon: settings.showMenuBarIcon === false })
+                  }
+                />
+              </SearchableSetting>
+            ) : null}
           </div>
         </AppearanceAdvancedDisclosure>
       ) : null}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AppearancePane.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AppearancePane.test.tsx
index ca68ff7e47c..13e447db0bf 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AppearancePane.test.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AppearancePane.test.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import type { GlobalSettings, StatusBarItem } from '../../../../shared/types'
 
 const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
   state: {
+    appPlatform: 'linux' as NodeJS.Platform,
     availableStatusBarToggles: [] as {
       description: string
       id: StatusBarItem
@@ -179,12 +180,16 @@ describe('AppearancePane', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     vi.clearAllMocks()
     mocks.state.availableStatusBarToggles = []
+    mocks.state.appPlatform = 'linux'
     mocks.state.settingsSearchQuery = 'automations'
     mocks.state.usagePercentageDisplay = 'used'
     // UIZoomControl reads window.api.ui on mount; the inline-expansion pane can
     // render the full Interface section, so provide a minimal renderer bridge
     // without clobbering happy-dom's window.location.
     ;(window as unknown as { api: unknown }).api = {
+      platform: {
+        get: () => ({ platform: mocks.state.appPlatform })
+      },
       ui: {
         getZoomLevel: () => 0,
         onTerminalZoom: () => () => {},
@@ -359,6 +364,26 @@ describe('AppearancePane', () => {
     ).not.toBeNull()
   })
 
+  it('shows and updates the menu bar icon preference only on desktop macOS', async () => {
+    mocks.state.appPlatform = 'darwin'
+    mocks.state.settingsSearchQuery = 'menu bar'
+    const updateSettings = vi.fn()
+    const container = await renderAppearancePane(
+      getDefaultSettings('/tmp', 'darwin'),
+      updateSettings
+    )
+    const toggle = container.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>(
+      'button[role="switch"][aria-label="Show Menu Bar Icon"]'
+    )
+
+    expect(toggle).not.toBeNull()
+    expect(container.textContent).not.toContain('Minimize to Tray on Close')
+    await act(async () => {
+      toggle?.dispatchEvent(new MouseEvent('click', { bubbles: true }))
+    })
+    expect(updateSettings).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ showMenuBarIcon: false })
+  })
+
   it('keeps description-only search matches visible after helper text is hidden', async () => {
     mocks.state.settingsSearchQuery = 'app window'
     const container = await renderAppearancePane(getDefaultSettings('/tmp'))
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AppearancePane.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AppearancePane.tsx
index 631059d6d3a..58954d32565 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AppearancePane.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/AppearancePane.tsx
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import {
   getAppearancePaneSearchEntries,
   getLanguageEntries,
   getLayoutEntries,
+  getMenuBarIconEntries,
   getSidebarEntries,
   getStatusBarEntries,
   getSystemTrayEntries,
@@ -85,6 +86,7 @@ export function AppearancePane({
   // Why: the system tray behavior is desktop-Electron Windows-only; a Windows
   // browser web client has no local tray to control.
   const isDesktopWindows = getRendererAppPlatform() === 'win32' && !isWebClient
+  const isDesktopMac = getRendererAppPlatform() === 'darwin' && !isWebClient
 
   const [manuallyOpenSection, setManuallyOpenSection] = useState<AppearanceSectionKey | null>(
     'interface'
@@ -134,7 +136,8 @@ export function AppearancePane({
     ...getTypographyEntries(),
     ...(SHOW_UI_LANGUAGE_SETTING ? getLanguageEntries() : []),
     ...getTitlebarEntries(),
-    ...getSystemTrayEntries({ showSystemTray: isDesktopWindows })
+    ...getSystemTrayEntries({ showSystemTray: isDesktopWindows }),
+    ...getMenuBarIconEntries({ showMenuBarIcon: isDesktopMac })
   ]
   const terminalSearchEntries = [
     { title: terminalTitle },
@@ -207,6 +210,7 @@ export function AppearancePane({
             applyTheme={applyTheme}
             fontSuggestions={fontSuggestions}
             onRequestFontSuggestions={onRequestFontSuggestions}
+            isDesktopMac={isDesktopMac}
             isDesktopWindows={isDesktopWindows}
             forceVisiblePrimary={interfaceLabelMatches}
           />
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/appearance-search.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/appearance-search.ts
index 3ceaf412d13..3e15d266221 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/appearance-search.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/appearance-search.ts
@@ -2,15 +2,19 @@ import type { SettingsSearchEntry } from './settings-search'
 import { getTerminalAppearanceSearchEntries } from './terminal-search'
 import { getLeftSidebarAppearanceEntry, getSidebarEntries } from './appearance-sidebar-search'
 import { createLocalizedCatalog } from '@/i18n/localized-catalog'
-import { getRendererAppPlatform } from '@/lib/renderer-app-platform'
-import { isWebClientLocation } from '@/lib/web-client-location'
 import { translate } from '@/i18n/i18n'
 import { translateSearchKeyword } from './settings-search-keywords'
 import { SHOW_UI_LANGUAGE_SETTING } from '@/i18n/supported-languages'
 import { getStatusBarToggles } from './appearance-status-bar-search'
 import { getUsagePercentageDisplayEntry } from './appearance-usage-percentage-search'
+import { getMenuBarIconEntries, getSystemTrayEntries } from './appearance-system-presence-search'
 
-export { getStatusBarToggles, getUsagePercentageDisplayEntry }
+export {
+  getMenuBarIconEntries,
+  getStatusBarToggles,
+  getSystemTrayEntries,
+  getUsagePercentageDisplayEntry
+}
 
 export const getThemeEntries = createLocalizedCatalog((): SettingsSearchEntry[] => [
   {
@@ -188,65 +192,6 @@ export const getAppIconEntries = createLocalizedCatalog((): SettingsSearchEntry[
   }
 ])
 
-const getSystemTrayEntryCatalog = createLocalizedCatalog((): SettingsSearchEntry[] => [
-  {
-    title: translate(
-      'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.9a115966d3',
-      'Minimize to Tray on Close'
-    ),
-    description: translate(
-      'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.4d5b9427b5',
-      'When enabled, closing the window keeps Orca running in the system tray instead of quitting.'
-    ),
-    keywords: [
-      ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.tray', 'tray', {
-        englishOnly: true
-      }),
-      ...translateSearchKeyword(
-        'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.system',
-        'system tray',
-        { englishOnly: true }
-      ),
-      ...translateSearchKeyword(
-        'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.minimize',
-        'minimize',
-        { englishOnly: true }
-      ),
-      ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.close', 'close', {
-        englishOnly: true
-      }),
-      ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.appearance.search.e5bc35d59e', 'window'),
-      ...translateSearchKeyword(
-        'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.notification',
-        'notification area',
-        { englishOnly: true }
-      ),
-      ...translateSearchKeyword(
-        'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.background',
-        'background',
-        { englishOnly: true }
-      )
-    ]
-  }
-])
-
-type SystemTraySearchOptions = {
-  showSystemTray?: boolean
-}
-
-function shouldShowSystemTrayEntries(options: SystemTraySearchOptions): boolean {
-  return (
-    options.showSystemTray ??
-    // Why: this setting controls Electron's Windows tray only. A Windows web
-    // browser can report win32, but it has no local tray to affect.
-    (getRendererAppPlatform() === 'win32' && !isWebClientLocation())
-  )
-}
-
-export function getSystemTrayEntries(options: SystemTraySearchOptions = {}): SettingsSearchEntry[] {
-  return shouldShowSystemTrayEntries(options) ? getSystemTrayEntryCatalog() : []
-}
-
 const getAppearanceSectionEntries = createLocalizedCatalog((): SettingsSearchEntry[] => [
   {
     title: translate('auto.components.settings.AppearancePane.interfaceTitle', 'Interface')
@@ -269,6 +214,7 @@ const getAppearanceSectionEntries = createLocalizedCatalog((): SettingsSearchEnt
 type AppearancePaneSearchOptions = {
   showWarpImport?: boolean
   showSystemTray?: boolean
+  showMenuBarIcon?: boolean
 }
 
 function buildAppearancePaneSearchEntries(
@@ -286,7 +232,8 @@ function buildAppearancePaneSearchEntries(
     ...getStatusBarEntries(),
     ...getSidebarEntries(),
     ...getAppIconEntries(),
-    ...getSystemTrayEntries(options)
+    ...getSystemTrayEntries(options),
+    ...getMenuBarIconEntries(options)
   ]
 }
 
@@ -295,6 +242,7 @@ export function getAppearancePaneSearchEntries(
 ): SettingsSearchEntry[] {
   return buildAppearancePaneSearchEntries({
     showWarpImport: options.showWarpImport ?? true,
-    showSystemTray: options.showSystemTray
+    showSystemTray: options.showSystemTray,
+    showMenuBarIcon: options.showMenuBarIcon
   })
 }
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/appearance-system-presence-search.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/appearance-system-presence-search.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f392da6c271
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/appearance-system-presence-search.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+import { translate } from '@/i18n/i18n'
+import { createLocalizedCatalog } from '@/i18n/localized-catalog'
+import { getRendererAppPlatform } from '@/lib/renderer-app-platform'
+import { isWebClientLocation } from '@/lib/web-client-location'
+import type { SettingsSearchEntry } from './settings-search'
+import { translateSearchKeyword } from './settings-search-keywords'
+
+const getSystemTrayEntryCatalog = createLocalizedCatalog((): SettingsSearchEntry[] => [
+  {
+    title: translate(
+      'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.9a115966d3',
+      'Minimize to Tray on Close'
+    ),
+    description: translate(
+      'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.4d5b9427b5',
+      'When enabled, closing the window keeps Orca running in the system tray instead of quitting.'
+    ),
+    keywords: [
+      ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.tray', 'tray', {
+        englishOnly: true
+      }),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword(
+        'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.system',
+        'system tray',
+        { englishOnly: true }
+      ),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword(
+        'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.minimize',
+        'minimize',
+        { englishOnly: true }
+      ),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.close', 'close', {
+        englishOnly: true
+      }),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.appearance.search.e5bc35d59e', 'window'),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword(
+        'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.notification',
+        'notification area',
+        { englishOnly: true }
+      ),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword(
+        'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.background',
+        'background',
+        { englishOnly: true }
+      )
+    ]
+  }
+])
+
+const getMenuBarIconEntryCatalog = createLocalizedCatalog((): SettingsSearchEntry[] => [
+  {
+    title: translate('settings.appearance.menuBarIcon.title', 'Show Menu Bar Icon'),
+    description: translate(
+      'settings.appearance.menuBarIcon.description',
+      'Keep an Orca shortcut and activity indicator in the macOS menu bar.'
+    ),
+    keywords: [
+      ...translateSearchKeyword('settings.appearance.menuBarIcon.keyword.menuBar', 'menu bar', {
+        englishOnly: true
+      }),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.tray', 'tray', {
+        englishOnly: true
+      }),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword('auto.components.settings.appearance.search.1f2880a9d5', 'orca'),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword(
+        'settings.appearance.menuBarIcon.keyword.statusItem',
+        'status item',
+        { englishOnly: true }
+      ),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword('settings.appearance.menuBarIcon.keyword.activity', 'activity', {
+        englishOnly: true
+      }),
+      ...translateSearchKeyword(
+        'auto.components.settings.appearance.search.tray.background',
+        'background',
+        { englishOnly: true }
+      )
+    ]
+  }
+])
+
+type SystemPresenceSearchOptions = {
+  showMenuBarIcon?: boolean
+  showSystemTray?: boolean
+}
+
+export function getSystemTrayEntries(
+  options: SystemPresenceSearchOptions = {}
+): SettingsSearchEntry[] {
+  const show =
+    options.showSystemTray ??
+    // Why: a Windows web client can report win32, but it has no local tray.
+    (getRendererAppPlatform() === 'win32' && !isWebClientLocation())
+  return show ? getSystemTrayEntryCatalog() : []
+}
+
+export function getMenuBarIconEntries(
+  options: SystemPresenceSearchOptions = {}
+): SettingsSearchEntry[] {
+  const show =
+    options.showMenuBarIcon ?? (getRendererAppPlatform() === 'darwin' && !isWebClientLocation())
+  return show ? getMenuBarIconEntryCatalog() : []
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/terminal-search.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/terminal-search.test.ts
index 5811f5dcf02..bf642e83735 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/settings/terminal-search.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/settings/terminal-search.test.ts
@@ -172,6 +172,15 @@ describe('getTerminalPaneSearchEntries', () => {
     expect(matchesSettingsSearch('tray', webEntries)).toBe(false)
   })
 
+  it('includes the macOS menu bar entry only when its desktop control is shown', () => {
+    const macEntries = getAppearancePaneSearchEntries({ showMenuBarIcon: true })
+    const otherEntries = getAppearancePaneSearchEntries({ showMenuBarIcon: false })
+
+    expect(macEntries.some((entry) => entry.title === 'Show Menu Bar Icon')).toBe(true)
+    expect(otherEntries.some((entry) => entry.title === 'Show Menu Bar Icon')).toBe(false)
+    expect(matchesSettingsSearch('status item', macEntries)).toBe(true)
+  })
+
   it('keeps sidebar shortcut restore settings in the Appearance search index', () => {
     const automationsEntry = getSidebarEntries().find(
       (entry) => entry.title === 'Show Automations Button'
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/hooks/useIpcEvents.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/hooks/useIpcEvents.test.ts
index 9e188a80805..81593029aee 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/hooks/useIpcEvents.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/hooks/useIpcEvents.test.ts
@@ -313,6 +313,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents zoom routing', () => {
         },
         agentStatus: { onSet: () => () => {} },
         ui: makeEvents({
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onTerminalZoom: (listener: (direction: 'in' | 'out' | 'reset') => void) => {
             terminalZoomListenerRef.current = listener
             return () => {}
@@ -455,6 +456,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents zoom routing', () => {
         },
         agentStatus: { onSet: () => () => {} },
         ui: makeEvents({
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onTerminalZoom: (listener: (direction: 'in' | 'out' | 'reset') => void) => {
             terminalZoomListenerRef.current = listener
             return () => {}
@@ -666,6 +668,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents rate-limit hydration', () => {
         },
         agentStatus: { onSet: () => () => {} },
         ui: makeEvents({
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           getZoomLevel: vi.fn(() => 0)
         })
       }
@@ -954,6 +957,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents browser tab create routing', () => {
         ui: {
           onStateChanged: () => () => {},
           onOpenSettings: () => () => {},
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onOpenFeatureTour: () => () => {},
           onToggleLeftSidebar: () => () => {},
           onToggleRightSidebar: () => () => {},
@@ -1176,6 +1180,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents updater integration', () => {
         ui: {
           onStateChanged: () => () => {},
           onOpenSettings: () => () => {},
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onOpenFeatureTour: () => () => {},
           onToggleLeftSidebar: () => () => {},
           onToggleRightSidebar: () => () => {},
@@ -1421,6 +1426,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents updater integration', () => {
         ui: {
           onStateChanged: () => () => {},
           onOpenSettings: () => () => {},
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onOpenFeatureTour: () => () => {},
           onToggleLeftSidebar: () => () => {},
           onToggleRightSidebar: () => () => {},
@@ -1862,6 +1868,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents updater integration', () => {
         ui: {
           onStateChanged: () => () => {},
           onOpenSettings: () => () => {},
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onOpenFeatureTour: () => () => {},
           onToggleLeftSidebar: () => () => {},
           onToggleRightSidebar: () => () => {},
@@ -2796,6 +2803,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents browser tab close routing', () => {
         ui: {
           onStateChanged: () => () => {},
           onOpenSettings: () => () => {},
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onOpenFeatureTour: () => () => {},
           onToggleLeftSidebar: () => () => {},
           onToggleRightSidebar: () => () => {},
@@ -3286,6 +3294,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents browser tab close routing', () => {
         ui: {
           onStateChanged: () => () => {},
           onOpenSettings: () => () => {},
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onOpenFeatureTour: () => () => {},
           onToggleLeftSidebar: () => () => {},
           onToggleRightSidebar: () => () => {},
@@ -3504,6 +3513,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents browser tab close routing', () => {
         ui: {
           onStateChanged: () => () => {},
           onOpenSettings: () => () => {},
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onOpenFeatureTour: () => () => {},
           onToggleLeftSidebar: () => () => {},
           onToggleRightSidebar: () => () => {},
@@ -3717,6 +3727,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents browser tab close routing', () => {
         ui: {
           onStateChanged: () => () => {},
           onOpenSettings: () => () => {},
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onOpenFeatureTour: () => () => {},
           onToggleLeftSidebar: () => () => {},
           onToggleRightSidebar: () => () => {},
@@ -3948,6 +3959,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents CLI-created worktree activation', () => {
         ui: {
           onStateChanged: () => () => {},
           onOpenSettings: () => () => {},
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onOpenFeatureTour: () => () => {},
           onToggleLeftSidebar: () => () => {},
           onToggleRightSidebar: () => () => {},
@@ -4205,6 +4217,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents CLI-created worktree activation', () => {
         ui: {
           onStateChanged: () => () => {},
           onOpenSettings: () => () => {},
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onOpenFeatureTour: () => () => {},
           onToggleLeftSidebar: () => () => {},
           onToggleRightSidebar: () => () => {},
@@ -4439,6 +4452,7 @@ describe('useIpcEvents agent status snapshot integration', () => {
         ui: {
           onStateChanged: () => () => {},
           onOpenSettings: () => () => {},
+          consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
           onOpenFeatureTour: () => () => {},
           onToggleLeftSidebar: () => () => {},
           onToggleRightSidebar: () => () => {},
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/hooks/useIpcEvents.ts b/src/renderer/src/hooks/useIpcEvents.ts
index b3e2dae6b17..1f64369bc88 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/hooks/useIpcEvents.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/hooks/useIpcEvents.ts
@@ -1214,6 +1214,15 @@ export function useIpcEvents(): void {
       })
     )
 
+    // Why: the tray/menu-bar "Settings…" item can fire before this listener
+    // attaches on a freshly created window; pull any one-shot intent left for
+    // us so the request is not lost to that race.
+    void window.api.ui.consumePendingOpenSettings().then((open) => {
+      if (open) {
+        useAppStore.getState().openSettingsPage()
+      }
+    })
+
     unsubs.push(
       window.api.ui.onOpenSetupGuide?.(() => {
         useAppStore.getState().openModal('setup-guide', { telemetrySource: 'help_menu' })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/hooks/useSettingsNavigationMetadata.ts b/src/renderer/src/hooks/useSettingsNavigationMetadata.ts
index e39c75db2bf..60ab54ac4c4 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/hooks/useSettingsNavigationMetadata.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/hooks/useSettingsNavigationMetadata.ts
@@ -382,7 +382,8 @@ export function buildSettingsNavigationMetadata({
       icon: Palette,
       searchEntries: getAppearancePaneSearchEntries({
         showWarpImport: showDesktopOnlySettings,
-        showSystemTray: showDesktopOnlySettings && isWindows
+        showSystemTray: showDesktopOnlySettings && isWindows,
+        showMenuBarIcon: showDesktopOnlySettings && isMac
       }),
       group: 'interface'
     },
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
index 1abdf8130ef..3bd44870cf3 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@
         "portsToggleDescription": "Show live workspace ports. Click it for workspace-scoped ports and external listeners.",
         "antigravityToggleDescription": "Show Antigravity subscription usage for the active workspace.",
         "grokToggleDescription": "Show Grok subscription credit usage when signed in via Grok CLI."
+      },
+      "menuBarIcon": {
+        "title": "Show Menu Bar Icon",
+        "description": "Keep an Orca shortcut and activity indicator in the macOS menu bar."
       }
     }
   },
@@ -67,7 +71,10 @@
     "quit": "Quit",
     "minimizeNotice": {
       "body": "Orca is still running in the system tray"
-    }
+    },
+    "activityWaiting": "Orca - activity waiting",
+    "settings": "Settings...",
+    "checkForUpdates": "Check for Updates..."
   },
   "worktreeJumpPalette": {
     "matchLabel": {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
index 6c4707b5349..3ce19041a4f 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@
         "portsToggleDescription": "Muestra los puertos activos de los espacios de trabajo. Haz clic para ver los puertos de cada espacio de trabajo y los puertos externos.",
         "antigravityToggleDescription": "Muestra el uso de suscripción de Antigravity para el espacio de trabajo activo.",
         "grokToggleDescription": "Muestra el uso de créditos de suscripción de Grok cuando has iniciado sesión con Grok CLI."
+      },
+      "menuBarIcon": {
+        "title": "Mostrar icono en la barra de menús",
+        "description": "Manten un acceso directo de Orca e indicador de actividad en la barra de menús de macOS."
       }
     }
   },
@@ -67,7 +71,10 @@
     "quit": "Salir",
     "minimizeNotice": {
       "body": "Orca sigue ejecutándose en la bandeja del sistema"
-    }
+    },
+    "activityWaiting": "Orca: actividad en espera",
+    "settings": "Ajustes...",
+    "checkForUpdates": "Buscar actualizaciones..."
   },
   "worktreeJumpPalette": {
     "matchLabel": {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
index a9c01fdbe14..36e001bfc42 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@
         "portsToggleDescription": "ライブワークスペースポートを表示します。ワークスペーススコープのポートと外部リスナーの場合はこれをクリックします。",
         "antigravityToggleDescription": "アクティブなワークスペースの Antigravity サブスクリプション使用量を表示します。",
         "grokToggleDescription": "Grok CLI でサインインしている場合に Grok サブスクリプションのクレジット使用量を表示します。"
+      },
+      "menuBarIcon": {
+        "title": "メニューバーアイコンを表示",
+        "description": "macOS メニューバーに Orca のショートカットとアクティビティインジケーターを表示します。"
       }
     }
   },
@@ -67,7 +71,10 @@
     "quit": "終了",
     "minimizeNotice": {
       "body": "Orcaはシステムトレイで実行中です"
-    }
+    },
+    "activityWaiting": "Orca - アクティビティ待機中",
+    "settings": "設定...",
+    "checkForUpdates": "アップデートを確認..."
   },
   "worktreeJumpPalette": {
     "matchLabel": {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
index cb10041dfaa..2a8d947cb8f 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@
         "portsToggleDescription": "라이브 워크스페이스 포트를 표시합니다. 워크스페이스 범위 포트 및 외부 수신기를 보려면 클릭하세요.",
         "antigravityToggleDescription": "활성 워크스페이스에 대한 Antigravity 구독 사용량을 표시합니다.",
         "grokToggleDescription": "Grok CLI로 로그인한 경우 Grok 구독 크레딧 사용량을 표시합니다."
+      },
+      "menuBarIcon": {
+        "title": "메뉴 바 아이콘 표시",
+        "description": "macOS 메뉴 바에 Orca 바로가기 및 활동 표시기를 유지합니다."
       }
     }
   },
@@ -67,7 +71,10 @@
     "quit": "종료",
     "minimizeNotice": {
       "body": "Orca가 시스템 트레이에서 계속 실행 중입니다"
-    }
+    },
+    "activityWaiting": "Orca - 활동 대기 중",
+    "settings": "설정...",
+    "checkForUpdates": "업데이트 확인..."
   },
   "worktreeJumpPalette": {
     "matchLabel": {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
index f8a6e220407..0e72c1d4808 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@
         "portsToggleDescription": "显示实时工作区端口。单击可查看工作区范围的端口和外部监听器。",
         "antigravityToggleDescription": "显示当前工作区的 Antigravity 订阅使用量。",
         "grokToggleDescription": "通过 Grok CLI 登录后显示 Grok 订阅额度使用量。"
+      },
+      "menuBarIcon": {
+        "title": "显示菜单栏图标",
+        "description": "在 macOS 菜单栏中保留 Orca 快捷方式和活动指示器。"
       }
     }
   },
@@ -67,7 +71,10 @@
     "quit": "退出",
     "minimizeNotice": {
       "body": "Orca 仍在系统托盘中运行"
-    }
+    },
+    "activityWaiting": "Orca - 活动等待中",
+    "settings": "设置...",
+    "checkForUpdates": "检查更新..."
   },
   "worktreeJumpPalette": {
     "matchLabel": {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/web/web-preload-api.ts b/src/renderer/src/web/web-preload-api.ts
index 5fa4365a344..7746af5777d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/web/web-preload-api.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/web/web-preload-api.ts
@@ -2376,6 +2376,9 @@ function createWebUiApi(): NonNullable<Partial<PreloadApi>['ui']> {
     },
     isMaximized: () => Promise.resolve(false),
     onOpenSettings: () => noopUnsubscribe,
+    // Why: the web client has no native tray/menu bar, so there is never a
+    // queued open-settings intent to consume.
+    consumePendingOpenSettings: () => Promise.resolve(false),
     onOpenSetupGuide: () => noopUnsubscribe,
     onOpenFeatureTour: () => noopUnsubscribe,
     onOpenCrashReport: () => noopUnsubscribe,
diff --git a/src/shared/constants.test.ts b/src/shared/constants.test.ts
index 343e0ffe173..0c1b69e4fa3 100644
--- a/src/shared/constants.test.ts
+++ b/src/shared/constants.test.ts
@@ -48,6 +48,12 @@ describe('getDefaultSettings', () => {
     expect(getDefaultSettings('/tmp').uiLanguage).toBe('system')
   })
 
+  it('defaults the menu bar icon on only for macOS', () => {
+    expect(getDefaultSettings('/tmp', 'darwin').showMenuBarIcon).toBe(true)
+    expect(getDefaultSettings('/tmp', 'win32').showMenuBarIcon).toBe(false)
+    expect(getDefaultSettings('/tmp', 'linux').showMenuBarIcon).toBe(false)
+  })
+
   it('confirms before closing pinned tabs by default', () => {
     expect(getDefaultSettings('/tmp').confirmClosePinnedTab).toBe(true)
   })
diff --git a/src/shared/constants.ts b/src/shared/constants.ts
index 22064cbe6ca..7d08d975fff 100644
--- a/src/shared/constants.ts
+++ b/src/shared/constants.ts
@@ -186,7 +186,10 @@ function getDefaultWorkspaceDir(homeDir: string): string {
   return [trimmedHomeDir, 'orca', 'workspaces'].join(separator)
 }
 
-export function getDefaultSettings(homedir: string): GlobalSettings {
+export function getDefaultSettings(
+  homedir: string,
+  platform: NodeJS.Platform = typeof process === 'undefined' ? 'win32' : process.platform
+): GlobalSettings {
   return {
     workspaceDir: getDefaultWorkspaceDir(homedir),
     nestWorkspaces: true,
@@ -266,6 +269,7 @@ export function getDefaultSettings(homedir: string): GlobalSettings {
     terminalFocusFollowsMouse: false,
     windowBackgroundBlur: false,
     minimizeToTrayOnClose: false,
+    showMenuBarIcon: platform === 'darwin',
     terminalClipboardOnSelect: false,
     // Why: OSC 52 is a classic data-exfiltration vector (any process piping
     // untrusted output into the terminal can rewrite the clipboard). Keep the
diff --git a/src/shared/types.ts b/src/shared/types.ts
index 1c337a8db8d..6da64387159 100644
--- a/src/shared/types.ts
+++ b/src/shared/types.ts
@@ -2597,6 +2597,9 @@ export type GlobalSettings = {
    *  system tray instead of quitting Orca; off keeps the default quit-on-close.
    *  The tray icon itself is always present on Windows regardless of this flag. */
   minimizeToTrayOnClose?: boolean
+  /** Why: macOS keeps Orca running after its last window closes, so this
+   *  controls the additive menu-bar entry without changing Dock behavior. */
+  showMenuBarIcon?: boolean
   /** Why: Windows terminals conventionally use right-click as a paste gesture,
    *  while macOS/Linux default to their existing context menu behavior. */
   terminalRightClickToPaste: boolean