How to create a helper application (LSUIElement) that also has a (removable) dock icon

Question

I've submitted a helper application (using LSUIElement)to the Mac App Store. I was under the false impression that the App Store install process would put a dock icon for helper apps.

How can I create a dock icon that the user could remove, while the status bar app runs independently (like the popular app Caffeine)? Do I need to create a non-LSUIElement app that loads the LSUIElement app, or is there a better way?

Answer 1

Instead of using LSUIElement, use NSApplication's setActivationPolicy: method. By default, the application will have a dock icon, but by changing the activation policy to NSApplicationActivationPolicyAccessory , you get the same effect as LSUIElement while being able to change it programatically (the documentation for NSApplicationActivationPolicyAccessory says it is equivalent to LSUIElement=1).

- (void)applicationDidFinishLaunching:(NSApplication *)app {
    if([[NSUserDefaults standardUserDefaults] boolForKey:@"HideDockIcon"])
        [NSApp setActivationPolicy:NSApplicationActivationPolicyAccessory];
}

Answer 2

Apparently I was misinformed by my app reviewer (two of them actually). The dock icon is created for you by the install process. Pressing the issue, I was able to get the app through the review process.