Create a rule for a specific app or workspace

A rule can match the app that sent a link, not only the link itself. For Slack, Notion, and Discord it can also match one workspace or server.

1. Open the rule editor. Go to Settings > Rules and click +, or click Create Rule from ”…” in the menu bar.
2. Enter a real link in Example link:.
3. Choose the app under From…. The menu lists installed apps such as Mail, Slack, and Discord. Choose… at the bottom lets you pick any other app.
4. If you chose Slack or Notion, a Workspace row appears. If you chose Discord, a Server row appears. Click Discover workspaces… or Discover servers….
5. For Slack or Notion, an alert titled Access App Data asks for permission. Click OK.
6. Choose the workspace or server from the menu. Leave Any workspace or Any server to match all of them.
7. Choose where the link opens under Open in….
8. Click Save Rule.

The rule matches a link only when it fits the pattern under When… and comes from that app. The summary card ends with the app and workspace, for example “when opened from Slack / Acme”.

If you change the app under From…, the workspace or server is cleared. Choose it again.

Note

Discord needs Accessibility permission, and Discord must be running, before Bouncer can list its servers. If either is missing, Bouncer shows an alert with an Open Settings or Open Discord button.

What Bouncer reads on your Mac

Everything Bouncer reads for these rules stays on your Mac. Nothing is sent anywhere.

• Slack. To list your workspaces, Bouncer reads Slack’s local data files. When you click a link, Bouncer reads the title of the front Slack window to see which workspace it came from. That needs Accessibility permission.
• Notion. To list your workspaces, Bouncer reads Notion’s local data files. When you click a link, Bouncer reads Notion’s local state to see the current workspace.
• Discord. To list your servers, Bouncer reads the Discord window through Accessibility permission. When you click a link, Bouncer reads the title of the front Discord window.

Before Bouncer reads Slack or Notion data for the first time, it shows an alert titled Access App Data:

Bouncer will read Slack’s local data to find your workspace names, so you can create rules for specific workspaces. This data stays on your device.

For Notion, the text says “Notion’s local data” instead. Click OK to continue or Cancel to stop.

For more detail, see What workspace rules read on your Mac.

When Accessibility permission is off

If you chose a workspace or server and Accessibility permission is off, a banner appears in the editor. It reads “Accessibility permission is off. Bouncer can’t detect which workspace a link came from until you turn it on.” Click Grant Accessibility… to open System Settings and turn on Bouncer.

The Rules list also marks the rule with an orange triangle until you grant it. See Rule warnings.