Keep Google Chat always running on macOS (launchd + AppleScript)

This setup ensures Google Chat is always running on macOS.
If the app crashes or is accidentally closed, it will automatically restart.
Unlike open -a, this method avoids stealing focus every time Google Chat launches.

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⚙️ Installation

1. Open Terminal and create a LaunchAgents folder (if it doesn’t exist):

   mkdir -p ~/Library/LaunchAgents

2. Create a new service file:

   nano ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.user.googlechat.plist

3. Paste the following content:

   <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
     <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN"
     "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
     <plist version="1.0">
     <dict>
       <key>Label</key>
       <string>com.user.googlechat</string>
   
       <key>ProgramArguments</key>
       <array>
         <string>osascript</string>
         <string>-e</string>
         <string>tell application "Google Chat" to run</string>
       </array>
   
       <key>RunAtLoad</key>
       <true/>
   
       <key>KeepAlive</key>
       <true/>
     </dict>
   </plist>

4. Load the service:

   launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.user.googlechat.plist

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🔄 Usage

• Now, Google Chat will always stay open.
• If you close it manually or it crashes, launchd will restart it automatically.
• To disable the service:

  launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.user.googlechat.plist

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✅ Notes

• Works with the official Google Chat desktop app (from Google).
• If you’re using Chrome PWA, adjust tell application "Google Chat" to match your PWA app name.
• Unlike open -a "Google Chat", this solution prevents the window from becoming active on each restart.