diff --git a/scripts/restart-mac.sh b/scripts/restart-mac.sh
index e4ac99371..fb6d5e867 100755
--- a/scripts/restart-mac.sh
+++ b/scripts/restart-mac.sh
@@ -62,43 +62,11 @@ run_step "swift build" bash -lc "cd '${ROOT_DIR}/apps/macos' && swift build -q -
 # 3) Package + relaunch the app (script also stops any stragglers).
 run_step "package app" "${ROOT_DIR}/scripts/package-mac-app.sh"
 
-# 4) Install launch agent with Mach service and bootstrap it (no KeepAlive).
-cat > "${LAUNCH_AGENT}" <<PLIST
-<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
-<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
-<plist version="1.0">
-<dict>
-  <key>Label</key>
-  <string>com.steipete.clawdis</string>
-  <key>ProgramArguments</key>
-  <array>
-    <string>${APP_BUNDLE}/Contents/MacOS/Clawdis</string>
-  </array>
-  <key>WorkingDirectory</key>
-  <string>${ROOT_DIR}</string>
-  <key>RunAtLoad</key>
-  <true/>
-  <key>KeepAlive</key>
-  <false/>
-  <key>MachServices</key>
-  <dict>
-    <key>com.steipete.clawdis.xpc</key>
-    <true/>
-  </dict>
-  <key>StandardOutPath</key>
-  <string>/tmp/clawdis.log</string>
-  <key>StandardErrorPath</key>
-  <string>/tmp/clawdis.log</string>
-</dict>
-</plist>
-PLIST
-
-stop_launch_agent
-run_step "bootstrap launch agent" launchctl bootstrap gui/"$UID" "${LAUNCH_AGENT}"
-run_step "kickstart" launchctl kickstart -k gui/"$UID"/com.steipete.clawdis
+# 4) Launch the packaged app in the foreground so the menu bar extra appears.
+run_step "launch app" open "${APP_BUNDLE}"
 
 # 5) Verify the packaged app is alive.
-sleep 1
+sleep 1.5
 if pgrep -f "${APP_PROCESS_PATTERN}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
   log "OK: Clawdis is running."
 else