diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 4ee9de6f..53712e8b 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ Status of the `main` branch. Changes prior to the next official version change w
 
 * Dashboard:
   - Fix: Serena PyPI version check triggered by callback on main thread could delay agent startup #1774
+  - Fix: on macOS, the `tray_manager` interface put an icon in the Dock and in the app switcher
+    (should only use menu bar icon)
 
 * Hooks:
   - Add `serena-hooks --client=grok`, including Grok-native PreToolUse allow/deny output.
diff --git a/src/serena/dashboard.py b/src/serena/dashboard.py
index 852d0c1b..c9873608 100644
--- a/src/serena/dashboard.py
+++ b/src/serena/dashboard.py
@@ -1195,9 +1195,12 @@ class SerenaDashboardTrayManager:
         # set up tray icon with a dynamic menu (callable returns items on each open)
         kwargs: dict[str, Any] = {}
         if sys.platform == "darwin":
-            from AppKit import NSApplication
+            from AppKit import NSApplication, NSApplicationActivationPolicyAccessory
 
-            kwargs["darwin_nsapplication"] = NSApplication.sharedApplication()
+            nsapp = NSApplication.sharedApplication()
+            # run as an accessory app so that only the menu bar icon is shown (no Dock icon)
+            nsapp.setActivationPolicy_(NSApplicationActivationPolicyAccessory)
+            kwargs["darwin_nsapplication"] = nsapp
 
         self._tray_icon = pystray.Icon(
             "serena_tray_manager",