HostSwitch - macOS Menu Bar Utility

A macOS menu bar utility for managing entries in the /etc/hosts file with quick access from the top toolbar.

Clean, intuitive interface showing host entries with toggle controls and status indicators.

Features

• 🔝 Menu bar integration - Always accessible from the top toolbar
• 📋 Safe section management - Only manages entries in marked sections, never touches system hosts
• 🔄 Quick toggle - Enable/disable hosts with one click
• ➕ Add new entries - Built-in form for adding new host mappings
• 🔒 Secure operation - Requests admin privileges when saving changes
• 🛡️ System protection - Cannot remove or modify hosts outside its managed section
• 🖥️ Native macOS interface - Built with SwiftUI for perfect integration

How it Works

The app manages a dedicated section in your /etc/hosts file marked with:

####### HostSwitchStart
# Your managed entries go here
####### HostSwitchEnd

Key benefits:

• Safe: Only modifies the designated section, leaving system entries untouched
• Clean: Preserves existing hosts file structure and comments
• Isolated: Your managed entries are clearly separated from system/manual entries

Building and Running

1. Build the app:

   ./build_hostswitch.sh

2. Run the app:

   open HostSwitch.app

3. Look for the network icon in your menu bar and click it

Auto-Start on Login (Optional)

To have HostSwitch start automatically when you log in:

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS)
2. Navigate to General → Login Items & Extensions
3. Click + next to "Open at Login"
4. Browse to and select HostSwitch.app
5. HostSwitch will now start automatically when you log in

The app runs silently in the menu bar and will be ready whenever you need it.

Initial Setup

If you don't have a managed section yet, the app will create one automatically when you add your first entry. Or manually add it:

sudo echo '' >> /etc/hosts
sudo echo '####### HostSwitchStart' >> /etc/hosts  
sudo echo '####### HostSwitchEnd' >> /etc/hosts

Usage

1. Click the network icon in your menu bar
2. View current entries - See all managed hosts with their status
3. Toggle entries - Click the circle to enable/disable any host
4. Add new entries - Click "Add Host" to create new mappings
5. Refresh - Click refresh to reload from the file

Example Managed Section

Your /etc/hosts file will look like:

# System entries remain untouched
127.0.0.1	localhost
255.255.255.255	broadcasthost
::1             localhost

####### HostsManagerStart
192.168.1.100	dev.mysite.com
# 10.0.0.50	staging.mysite.com # Test server
####### HostsManagerEnd

Security Notes

• Safe operation: Only modifies the designated section between markers
• System protection: Cannot remove or modify hosts outside its managed section
• Admin privileges: Required by macOS for any /etc/hosts modifications
• Atomic changes: Either all succeed or none are applied
• Preservation: All system entries (localhost, broadcasthost) and manual entries are always preserved
• Clear feedback: Status messages show when admin privileges are being requested

Requirements

• macOS 11.0 or later
• Administrator access for modifying /etc/hosts