Why does DockAlly need Accessibility access?

To read where your Dock icons are, so a creature can run to the app you just opened, and to put windows back where you saved them. It reads positions. It never types, clicks, or reads your screen.

Will it mess up my Dock?

Your Dock is backed up before the first change, and "Restore Original Dock" puts it back exactly. Each folder keeps its own sort order and view. DockAlly never changes those.

Does the Dock flicker when a profile switches?

macOS restarts the Dock to change it. DockAlly covers that moment: glass tiles wrap each icon, gather into one bar while the Dock reloads behind it, then split over the new icons and fade away.

How much does it slow my Mac down?

With all seven creatures it sits around 15 to 25 per cent of one core while they move, and drops when they sleep or the Dock is covered. The main thread stays free, so nothing else feels slower.

Can I turn the creatures off and keep the Dock profiles?

Yes. Hide them from the paw menu and the profiles, workspaces and focus timer carry on without them.

Does it work on a Mac without a notch, or on an external display?

Yes. DockAlly follows the Dock itself: bottom, left or right, on whichever display it is on. It gets out of the way in full screen.

How to reset your Mac Dock to default (and back it up first)

Short answer

Open Terminal and run defaults delete com.apple.dock; killall Dock. The Dock restarts with Apple's default apps and settings. Back it up first with defaults export com.apple.dock ~/Desktop/dock-backup.plist if you might want your setup back.

Step 1: back up your current Dock

Resetting throws away your apps, folders, size and position settings. If there is any chance you want them back, save them first. This writes a copy of your Dock settings to your Desktop:

defaults export com.apple.dock ~/Desktop/dock-backup.plist

Step 2: reset the Dock

Open Terminal (in Applications, then Utilities) and run:

defaults delete com.apple.dock; killall Dock

The first part deletes your Dock preferences. The second restarts the Dock so it reads the defaults again. The screen flickers for a second while the Dock comes back. That is normal.

Step 3: restore your backup, if you change your mind

defaults import com.apple.dock ~/Desktop/dock-backup.plist; killall Dock

Things a reset does not fix

The Dock keeps hiding or moving screens. That is usually in System Settings, then Desktop and Dock, not in the Dock preferences.
An app icon shows a question mark. The app was moved or deleted. Drag the icon out of the Dock and add the app again.
Folder stacks look wrong. Right click the stack to change how it sorts and displays.

If you reset because you keep rearranging it

Many people reset the Dock because it has turned into a mess from swapping apps in and out for different work. DockAlly keeps a separate Dock for each kind of work and switches between them, and it backs up your original Dock before its first change so one click puts it back.