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Cycle or side-by-side: two ways to show your coins

The short version

CoinNotch shows multiple coins two ways. Cycle mode rotates your coins through a single chip, keeping the footprint tiny while every coin passes by in turn. Side-by-side mode shows several coins at once for an instant full view, at the cost of menu-bar space. Pick cycle if your menu bar is crowded or your list is long, and side-by-side if you have room and want everything visible at a glance.

Once you pin more than one coin, CoinNotch has to decide how to fit them into the menu bar, which has limited room. It offers two modes for this, and they suit different setups. Understanding the trade-off helps you pick the one that fits your watchlist and your screen.

Cycle mode

Cycle mode rotates your coins through a single chip, showing one at a time and moving to the next every few seconds. Its strength is space: no matter how many coins you track, the footprint stays the size of one chip, so it never crowds your menu bar even with a long list. The trade-off is that you see each coin only when it comes around, so a quick glance shows whichever coin is currently up, not all of them at once. It suits long watchlists and crowded menu bars.

Side-by-side mode

Side-by-side mode shows several coins at the same time, lined up in the menu bar. Its strength is immediacy: every coin is visible in one glance, with no waiting for a rotation. The trade-off is space, since each coin takes its own slot, so it works best with a handful of coins and enough free menu-bar room. It suits short, focused watchlists where you want the whole picture instantly.

Which to pick
Long watchlistCycle mode
Crowded menu barCycle mode
Few coinsSide-by-side
Want all at onceSide-by-side

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You can switch between them anytime in settings, so try both and see which fits how you work. Many people run side-by-side with two or three core coins and switch to cycle when their list grows. For more on managing a watchlist, see the tracking multiple coins guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is cycle mode in CoinNotch?
Cycle mode rotates your pinned coins through a single menu-bar chip, showing one at a time. It keeps the footprint tiny regardless of how many coins you track, ideal for long lists or crowded menu bars.
What is side-by-side mode?
Side-by-side mode shows several coins at once, lined up in the menu bar, so every coin is visible in one glance. It uses more space, so it suits a handful of coins with room to spare.
Which mode should I use?
Use cycle mode for long watchlists or a crowded menu bar, and side-by-side for a few coins when you want them all visible at once. You can switch anytime in settings.