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tauri-system-tray skill

/tauri/tauri-system-tray

This skill helps you implement and manage Tauri system tray icons, menus, events, and runtime updates to enhance app accessibility.

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---
name: adding-tauri-system-tray
description: Guides the user through implementing Tauri system tray functionality, including tray icon setup, tray menu creation, handling tray events, and updating the tray at runtime in the notification area.
---

# Tauri System Tray Implementation

This skill covers implementing system tray (notification area) functionality in Tauri v2 applications.

## Configuration

Enable the tray-icon feature in `src-tauri/Cargo.toml`:

```toml
[dependencies]
tauri = { version = "2", features = ["tray-icon"] }
```

## Basic Tray Setup

Create a tray icon in `src-tauri/src/lib.rs`:

```rust
use tauri::tray::TrayIconBuilder;

#[cfg_attr(mobile, tauri::mobile_entry_point)]
pub fn run() {
    tauri::Builder::default()
        .setup(|app| {
            // Use TrayIconBuilder::with_id() to reference the tray later
            let tray = TrayIconBuilder::with_id(app, "main-tray")
                .icon(app.default_window_icon().unwrap().clone())
                .tooltip("My Tauri App")
                .build(app)?;
            Ok(())
        })
        .run(tauri::generate_context!())
        .expect("error while running tauri application");
}
```

## Tray Menu

### Basic Menu with Items

```rust
use tauri::{
    menu::{Menu, MenuItem},
    tray::TrayIconBuilder,
};

#[cfg_attr(mobile, tauri::mobile_entry_point)]
pub fn run() {
    tauri::Builder::default()
        .setup(|app| {
            let show_item = MenuItem::with_id(app, "show", "Show Window", true, None::<&str>)?;
            let hide_item = MenuItem::with_id(app, "hide", "Hide Window", true, None::<&str>)?;
            let quit_item = MenuItem::with_id(app, "quit", "Quit", true, None::<&str>)?;

            let menu = Menu::with_items(app, &[&show_item, &hide_item, &quit_item])?;

            let tray = TrayIconBuilder::new()
                .icon(app.default_window_icon().unwrap().clone())
                .menu(&menu)
                .menu_on_left_click(false)  // Only show menu on right-click
                .build(app)?;

            Ok(())
        })
        .run(tauri::generate_context!())
        .expect("error while running tauri application");
}
```

### Menu with Separators and Submenus

```rust
use tauri::{
    menu::{Menu, MenuItem, PredefinedMenuItem, Submenu},
    tray::TrayIconBuilder,
};

#[cfg_attr(mobile, tauri::mobile_entry_point)]
pub fn run() {
    tauri::Builder::default()
        .setup(|app| {
            let option1 = MenuItem::with_id(app, "option1", "Option 1", true, None::<&str>)?;
            let option2 = MenuItem::with_id(app, "option2", "Option 2", true, None::<&str>)?;
            let options_submenu = Submenu::with_items(app, "Options", true, &[&option1, &option2])?;

            let show_item = MenuItem::with_id(app, "show", "Show Window", true, None::<&str>)?;
            let separator = PredefinedMenuItem::separator(app)?;
            let quit_item = MenuItem::with_id(app, "quit", "Quit", true, None::<&str>)?;

            let menu = Menu::with_items(
                app,
                &[&show_item, &options_submenu, &separator, &quit_item],
            )?;

            let tray = TrayIconBuilder::new()
                .icon(app.default_window_icon().unwrap().clone())
                .menu(&menu)
                .build(app)?;

            Ok(())
        })
        .run(tauri::generate_context!())
        .expect("error while running tauri application");
}
```

## Handling Tray Events

### Menu Item Events

```rust
use tauri::{
    menu::{Menu, MenuItem},
    tray::TrayIconBuilder,
    Manager,
};

#[cfg_attr(mobile, tauri::mobile_entry_point)]
pub fn run() {
    tauri::Builder::default()
        .setup(|app| {
            let show_item = MenuItem::with_id(app, "show", "Show Window", true, None::<&str>)?;
            let hide_item = MenuItem::with_id(app, "hide", "Hide Window", true, None::<&str>)?;
            let quit_item = MenuItem::with_id(app, "quit", "Quit", true, None::<&str>)?;
            let menu = Menu::with_items(app, &[&show_item, &hide_item, &quit_item])?;

            let tray = TrayIconBuilder::new()
                .icon(app.default_window_icon().unwrap().clone())
                .menu(&menu)
                .on_menu_event(|app, event| {
                    match event.id.as_ref() {
                        "show" => {
                            if let Some(window) = app.get_webview_window("main") {
                                let _ = window.show();
                                let _ = window.set_focus();
                            }
                        }
                        "hide" => {
                            if let Some(window) = app.get_webview_window("main") {
                                let _ = window.hide();
                            }
                        }
                        "quit" => app.exit(0),
                        _ => println!("Unhandled menu item: {:?}", event.id),
                    }
                })
                .build(app)?;

            Ok(())
        })
        .run(tauri::generate_context!())
        .expect("error while running tauri application");
}
```

### Tray Icon Mouse Events

```rust
use tauri::{
    tray::{MouseButton, MouseButtonState, TrayIconBuilder, TrayIconEvent},
    Manager,
};

#[cfg_attr(mobile, tauri::mobile_entry_point)]
pub fn run() {
    tauri::Builder::default()
        .setup(|app| {
            let tray = TrayIconBuilder::new()
                .icon(app.default_window_icon().unwrap().clone())
                .on_tray_icon_event(|tray, event| {
                    match event {
                        TrayIconEvent::Click {
                            button: MouseButton::Left,
                            button_state: MouseButtonState::Up,
                            ..
                        } => {
                            let app = tray.app_handle();
                            if let Some(window) = app.get_webview_window("main") {
                                let _ = window.unminimize();
                                let _ = window.show();
                                let _ = window.set_focus();
                            }
                        }
                        TrayIconEvent::DoubleClick { button: MouseButton::Left, .. } => {
                            let app = tray.app_handle();
                            if let Some(window) = app.get_webview_window("main") {
                                if window.is_visible().unwrap_or(false) {
                                    let _ = window.hide();
                                } else {
                                    let _ = window.show();
                                    let _ = window.set_focus();
                                }
                            }
                        }
                        TrayIconEvent::Enter { .. } => println!("Mouse entered tray"),
                        TrayIconEvent::Leave { .. } => println!("Mouse left tray"),
                        _ => {}
                    }
                })
                .build(app)?;

            Ok(())
        })
        .run(tauri::generate_context!())
        .expect("error while running tauri application");
}
```

Note: `Enter`, `Move`, and `Leave` events are not supported on Linux.

## Updating Tray at Runtime

### Update Icon and Tooltip

```rust
use tauri::{image::Image, tray::TrayIconBuilder, Manager};

#[tauri::command]
fn update_tray_icon(app: tauri::AppHandle, icon_path: String) -> Result<(), String> {
    if let Some(tray) = app.tray_by_id("main-tray") {
        let icon = Image::from_path(&icon_path).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
        tray.set_icon(Some(icon)).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
    }
    Ok(())
}

#[tauri::command]
fn update_tray_tooltip(app: tauri::AppHandle, tooltip: String) -> Result<(), String> {
    if let Some(tray) = app.tray_by_id("main-tray") {
        tray.set_tooltip(Some(&tooltip)).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
    }
    Ok(())
}
```

### Update Menu Items Dynamically

```rust
use std::sync::Mutex;
use tauri::{
    menu::{Menu, MenuItem, MenuItemKind},
    tray::TrayIconBuilder,
    Manager,
};

struct AppState {
    menu: Mutex<Option<Menu<tauri::Wry>>>,
}

#[tauri::command]
fn toggle_menu_item(app: tauri::AppHandle, item_id: String, enabled: bool) -> Result<(), String> {
    let state = app.state::<AppState>();
    if let Some(menu) = state.menu.lock().unwrap().as_ref() {
        if let Some(MenuItemKind::MenuItem(item)) = menu.get(&item_id) {
            item.set_enabled(enabled).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
        }
    }
    Ok(())
}

#[tauri::command]
fn update_menu_text(app: tauri::AppHandle, item_id: String, text: String) -> Result<(), String> {
    let state = app.state::<AppState>();
    if let Some(menu) = state.menu.lock().unwrap().as_ref() {
        if let Some(MenuItemKind::MenuItem(item)) = menu.get(&item_id) {
            item.set_text(&text).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
        }
    }
    Ok(())
}
```

### Replace Entire Menu

```rust
use tauri::{menu::{Menu, MenuItem}, Manager};

#[tauri::command]
fn set_connected_menu(app: tauri::AppHandle) -> Result<(), String> {
    if let Some(tray) = app.tray_by_id("main-tray") {
        let disconnect = MenuItem::with_id(&app, "disconnect", "Disconnect", true, None::<&str>)
            .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
        let status = MenuItem::with_id(&app, "status", "Connected", false, None::<&str>)
            .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
        let quit = MenuItem::with_id(&app, "quit", "Quit", true, None::<&str>)
            .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;

        let menu = Menu::with_items(&app, &[&status, &disconnect, &quit])
            .map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
        tray.set_menu(Some(menu)).map_err(|e| e.to_string())?;
    }
    Ok(())
}
```

## Complete Example

```rust
use std::sync::Mutex;
use tauri::{
    menu::{Menu, MenuItem, PredefinedMenuItem},
    tray::{MouseButton, MouseButtonState, TrayIconBuilder, TrayIconEvent},
    Manager,
};

struct TrayState {
    is_paused: Mutex<bool>,
}

#[tauri::command]
fn get_tray_status(state: tauri::State<TrayState>) -> bool {
    *state.is_paused.lock().unwrap()
}

#[cfg_attr(mobile, tauri::mobile_entry_point)]
pub fn run() {
    tauri::Builder::default()
        .manage(TrayState { is_paused: Mutex::new(false) })
        .setup(|app| {
            let show = MenuItem::with_id(app, "show", "Show Window", true, None::<&str>)?;
            let hide = MenuItem::with_id(app, "hide", "Hide Window", true, None::<&str>)?;
            let sep = PredefinedMenuItem::separator(app)?;
            let pause = MenuItem::with_id(app, "pause", "Pause", true, None::<&str>)?;
            let quit = MenuItem::with_id(app, "quit", "Quit", true, None::<&str>)?;

            let menu = Menu::with_items(app, &[&show, &hide, &sep, &pause, &quit])?;

            let _tray = TrayIconBuilder::with_id(app, "main-tray")
                .icon(app.default_window_icon().unwrap().clone())
                .tooltip("My Tauri App - Running")
                .menu(&menu)
                .menu_on_left_click(false)
                .on_menu_event(|app, event| {
                    match event.id.as_ref() {
                        "show" => {
                            if let Some(w) = app.get_webview_window("main") {
                                let _ = w.show();
                                let _ = w.set_focus();
                            }
                        }
                        "hide" => {
                            if let Some(w) = app.get_webview_window("main") {
                                let _ = w.hide();
                            }
                        }
                        "pause" => {
                            let state = app.state::<TrayState>();
                            let mut paused = state.is_paused.lock().unwrap();
                            *paused = !*paused;
                            if let Some(tray) = app.tray_by_id("main-tray") {
                                let tip = if *paused { "Paused" } else { "Running" };
                                let _ = tray.set_tooltip(Some(tip));
                            }
                        }
                        "quit" => app.exit(0),
                        _ => {}
                    }
                })
                .on_tray_icon_event(|tray, event| {
                    if let TrayIconEvent::Click {
                        button: MouseButton::Left,
                        button_state: MouseButtonState::Up, ..
                    } = event {
                        let app = tray.app_handle();
                        if let Some(w) = app.get_webview_window("main") {
                            if w.is_visible().unwrap_or(false) {
                                let _ = w.hide();
                            } else {
                                let _ = w.show();
                                let _ = w.set_focus();
                            }
                        }
                    }
                })
                .build(app)?;

            Ok(())
        })
        .invoke_handler(tauri::generate_handler![get_tray_status])
        .run(tauri::generate_context!())
        .expect("error while running tauri application");
}
```

## Platform Notes

| Platform | Support |
|----------|---------|
| Windows | Full support for all tray events |
| macOS | Full support for all tray events |
| Linux | `Enter`, `Move`, `Leave` events not supported |

## Troubleshooting

**Tray icon not appearing:**
- Ensure `tray-icon` feature is enabled in `Cargo.toml`
- Verify the icon is valid and accessible
- Check that `build()` is called and result is stored

**Menu not showing:**
- Confirm menu is attached with `.menu(&menu)`
- Check `menu_on_left_click` setting
- Verify menu items are created correctly

**Events not firing:**
- Ensure event handlers are attached before `build()`
- Check pattern matching in event handlers
- Verify tray ID matches when using `tray_by_id()`

Overview

This skill guides you through implementing a system tray (notification area) for Tauri v2 apps. It covers enabling the feature, creating a tray icon and menu, handling icon and menu events, and updating the tray (icon, tooltip, and menu) at runtime. Examples and platform notes are included to avoid common pitfalls.

How this skill works

The skill shows how to enable the tray-icon feature in Cargo.toml and create a TrayIcon with TrayIconBuilder in src-tauri. It demonstrates building menus (items, separators, submenus), attaching event handlers for menu selections and mouse events, and exposing commands to update the tray icon, tooltip, and menu dynamically. A complete example ties state management, event handling, and commands together for runtime changes.

When to use it

  • Add a persistent app presence in the OS notification area (background utilities, agents).
  • Provide quick access to common actions without opening the main window (show/hide, quit, pause).
  • Expose runtime state and controls (toggle features, reflect connection status).
  • React to user clicks and double-clicks on the tray icon to control app visibility or behavior.
  • Dynamically change menu items or icon/tooltip to reflect app state.

Best practices

  • Enable tauri = { features = ["tray-icon"] } in src-tauri/Cargo.toml before using tray APIs.
  • Use TrayIconBuilder::with_id(...) to reference and update the tray later via app.tray_by_id().
  • Attach on_menu_event and on_tray_icon_event before calling build() so handlers are active.
  • Keep GUI-affecting logic (show/hide/focus) concise and handle missing windows with option checks.
  • Store menus or relevant state in tauri::manage(...) when you need to update items or replace the menu at runtime.
  • Test mouse and menu behavior on target OSes; Linux lacks Enter/Move/Leave events.

Example use cases

  • Background downloader with tray controls: pause/resume, show status, quit.
  • Chat or presence app: show connection status, reconnect or disconnect from the tray.
  • System utility: single-click to toggle main window, right-click menu for preferences and quit.
  • Monitoring agent: update tooltip/icon to reflect health or alerts; replace menu when state changes.
  • App that stays headless: start at login and expose tray interactions only.

FAQ

Why doesn’t my tray icon appear?

Ensure the tray-icon feature is enabled, the icon path is valid, and you call build() and keep the result. Also confirm the OS supports tray icons in your environment.

How do I change the tray icon or tooltip at runtime?

Create tauri commands that call app.tray_by_id("your-id").set_icon(...) or set_tooltip(...). Use Image::from_path for icon data and return errors as strings.