Private project

RoBuddy

Native macOS overlay app with animated desktop buddies

RoBuddy renders animated desktop buddies as native macOS overlays. The app combines a transparent AppKit overlay structure with Python/PyObjC logic, SpriteKit rendering, hotkeys, local configuration and macOS app bundling.

RoBuddy visualization of an animated desktop overlay

Overview

The interesting part is system-level UI work: windows need to float above normal apps, animations must not disrupt interaction and global input needs clear boundaries. RoBuddy connects Python domain logic with PyObjC bridges to AppKit and SpriteKit, local configuration, status overlays, hotkeys and a build process for real macOS app bundles.

Engineering highlights

Python/PyObjC app with transparent AppKit overlay structure

SpriteKit rendering for animated desktop buddies

Hotkeys, menu bar, status overlay and local configuration

PyApp, wheel and .app bundling as a real macOS application

Screenshots and demos

Several RoBuddy characters as overlays on a macOS desktop — Several animated buddies move as independent overlays above regular macOS windows.

RoBuddy status overlay with runtime information and movement areas — The optional status overlay exposes window boundaries, movement areas and active buddy states.

RoBuddy characters with context-aware speech bubbles — Context-aware reactions combine local speech bubbles with each buddy's position on the desktop.