What it is
AppDashboard is a native macOS app that brings three things into one window: remote application sessions, a mounted file drive, and an embedded AI chat assistant. Users sign in once, switch between work profiles, browse and edit files, launch published apps, and ask the assistant for help — all without leaving the app.
Why it exists
Remote workers and IT teams juggle a pile of disconnected tools: one client for apps, a file explorer for shares, and yet another channel for support. AppDashboard consolidates them into a single, coherent experience with secure credential storage and inline, contextual help.
Who it's for
Remote knowledge workers and IT administrators who need reliable file and app access on macOS.
What it does
- Multiple work profiles with credentials kept in the system keychain
- Built-in file browser with drag-and-drop and in-place editing
- One-click launch of published remote applications
- Embedded streaming AI chat with markdown, image paste, and source links
- Guided setup, connectivity tests, and in-app diagnostics
- Accessible AppKit controls with keyboard navigation
How it works
What made it interesting to build
The trickiest work was separating the new dashboard shell from the older file-management engine it grew out of, without breaking what already worked. A subtle file-sync gotcha kept surfacing: right after an in-place save, the file server would briefly report a file as empty before catching up. The fix was to optimistically show the local size and date, then defer back to the server once it reported real numbers. Wiring up authentication, profile validation, and reconnection flows was a prerequisite before the app could even launch.