Porting a macOS Menu Bar App to KDE Plasma using AI Agents

Description and use

The user successfully created 'Portmanteau', a KDE Plasma widget that replicates the functionality of the macOS 'Port Menu' app. The process involved using an AI agent to plan, implement, and debug a Python-based port scanner and a QML widget, managed via the 'ticket' CLI tool.

Problem

The user wanted to use a macOS-only menu bar app (Port Menu) for managing local development ports on their Linux (Fedora KDE) system, but the original app was not compatible with Linux.

Outcome

The user successfully created 'Portmanteau', a KDE Plasma widget that replicates the functionality of the macOS 'Port Menu' app. The process involved using an AI agent to plan, implement, and debug a Python-based port scanner and a QML widget, managed via the 'ticket' CLI tool.

Workflow

• Identify a macOS-only tool and ask an AI agent about the feasibility of porting it to Linux.
• Determine that a direct port is not viable and plan a reimplementation as a KDE Plasma widget.
• Use the 'ticket' (tk) CLI tool to generate epics and tasks for the project.
• Instruct the AI agent to implement the solution, creating a Python scanner and a QML Plasma widget.
• Review the agent's output, identifying issues with packaging, timeouts, and UI quirks.
• Test the widget by starting a local Flask server to verify port detection.
• Iterate on the UI/UX based on user feedback (e.g., removing redundant buttons, fixing kill functionality).
• Finalize the widget for personal use.

Evidence

I used OpenCode to fork and create a working KDE Plasma widget called Portmanteau.

Source

The agent built the Linux version as a separate linux/ tree... The important pieces were a Python scanner, a JSON contract, and a Plasma widget.

Source

I really dig ticket and recommend it if you're working with agents.

Source