diff --git a/IsThereNet/IsThereNetApp.swift b/IsThereNet/IsThereNetApp.swift
index 56ec07e..3718c36 100644
--- a/IsThereNet/IsThereNetApp.swift
+++ b/IsThereNet/IsThereNetApp.swift
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import os.log
 import ServiceManagement
 import Sparkle
 import SwiftUI
+import QuartzCore
 
 private func mainAsyncAfter(_ duration: TimeInterval, _ action: @escaping () -> Void) -> DispatchWorkItem {
     let workItem = DispatchWorkItem { action() }
@@ -503,6 +504,18 @@ private struct SoundsConfig: Codable, Equatable {
     }
 }
 
+private struct BarGradientConfig: Codable, Equatable {
+    var enabled: Bool? = false
+    // Percentage of the bar height used for the fade-to-transparent (1-100)
+    var fadePercent: Double? = 60.0
+}
+
+private struct BarConfig: Codable, Equatable {
+    // Thickness of the horizontal bar in points. Clamped at runtime.
+    var height: Double? = 3.0
+    var gradient: BarGradientConfig? = BarGradientConfig()
+}
+
 private struct Config: Codable, Equatable {
     var pingIP = "1.1.1.1"
     var pingIntervalSeconds = 5.0
@@ -515,6 +528,7 @@ private struct Config: Codable, Equatable {
     var colors: ColorsConfig? = ColorsConfig()
     var screen: String? = "all"
     var launchAtLogin: Bool? = true
+    var bar: BarConfig? = BarConfig()
 }
 
 private var CONFIG_FS_WATCHER: FSEventStreamRef?
@@ -730,19 +744,40 @@ class Window {
         fader?.cancel()
         closer?.cancel()
 
-        let box = NSBox()
-        box.boxType = .custom
-        box.fillColor = color
-        box.frame = NSRect(x: 0, y: 10, width: screen.frame.width + 10, height: 3)
+        // Resolve bar visuals from config (with clamping and fallbacks)
+        let configuredHeight = CGFloat(CONFIG.bar?.height ?? 3.0)
+        let barHeight = max(1.0, min(configuredHeight, 10.0)) // keep within the visible window height
+        let gradientEnabled = (CONFIG.bar?.gradient?.enabled ?? false) && barHeight >= 2.0
+        let fadePercent = max(1.0, min(CGFloat(CONFIG.bar?.gradient?.fadePercent ?? 60.0), 100.0))
+
+        // Create the bar view (solid or gradient)
+        let barView = NSView(frame: NSRect(x: 0, y: 10, width: screen.frame.width + 10, height: barHeight))
+        barView.wantsLayer = true
+        if gradientEnabled {
+            let grad = CAGradientLayer()
+            grad.colors = [color.cgColor, color.withAlphaComponent(0.0).cgColor]
+            grad.startPoint = CGPoint(x: 0.5, y: 1.0)
+            grad.endPoint = CGPoint(x: 0.5, y: 0.0)
+            // reach full transparency by fadePercent of the height
+            grad.locations = [0.0, NSNumber(value: Double(fadePercent / 100.0))]
+            grad.frame = barView.bounds
+            barView.layer = grad
+        } else {
+            let layer = CALayer()
+            layer.backgroundColor = color.cgColor
+            layer.frame = barView.bounds
+            barView.layer = layer
+        }
 
-        box.shadow = NSShadow()
-        box.shadow!.shadowColor = color
-        box.shadow!.shadowBlurRadius = 3
-        box.shadow!.shadowOffset = .init(width: 0, height: -2)
+        // Subtle shadow to give a soft edge under the bar
+        barView.shadow = NSShadow()
+        barView.shadow!.shadowColor = color
+        barView.shadow!.shadowBlurRadius = 3
+        barView.shadow!.shadowOffset = .init(width: 0, height: -2)
 
         let containerView = NSView()
         containerView.frame = NSRect(x: 0, y: 0, width: screen.frame.width + 10, height: 20)
-        containerView.addSubview(box)
+        containerView.addSubview(barView)
 
         window.setContentSize(NSSize(width: screen.frame.width + 10, height: 20))
         window.contentView = containerView
diff --git a/IsThereNet/config.json b/IsThereNet/config.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea98afa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/IsThereNet/config.json
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+{
+	"pingIntervalSeconds": 5,
+	"pingTimeoutSeconds": 1,
+	"sounds": {
+		"connected": "Submerge",
+		"slow": "Bubble",
+		"disconnected": "Jump",
+		"volume": 1
+	},
+	"colors": {
+		"connected": "systemGreen",
+		"slow": "systemYellow",
+		"disconnected": "systemRed"
+	},
+	"launchAtLogin": true,
+	"pingIP": "1.1.1.1",
+	"pingSlowThresholdMilliseconds": 300,
+	"shellCommandOnStatusChange": "",
+	"fadeSeconds": {
+		"disconnected": 0,
+		"connected": 5,
+		"slow": 10
+	},
+	"screen": "all",
+	"bar": {
+		"height": 3,
+		"gradient": {
+			"enabled": false,
+			"fadePercent": 60
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a329ccf..9aaabd6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -46,6 +46,24 @@ That IP was chosen for multiple reasons:
 
 ## Uh.. how do I quit this app?
 
+    ### Bar appearance (new)
+
+    You can adjust the thickness of the top bar and enable an optional fade gradient:
+
+    ```json
+    "bar": {
+      "height": 3,                  // Bar thickness in points (min 1, max 10 applied)
+      "gradient": {
+        "enabled": false,           // If true, fades to transparent towards the bottom
+        "fadePercent": 60           // Portion of the bar height used for the fade (1–100)
+      }
+    }
+    ```
+
+    Notes:
+    - Defaults preserve current look: height 3, gradient disabled.
+    - Values are validated: height clamped 1–10; fadePercent clamped 1–100. For very small heights (< 2), gradient is automatically disabled.
+
 The app has no Dock icon and no menubar icon so to quit it you'd need to do *one of the following*:
 
 - Launch **Activity Monitor**, find **IsThereNet** and press the ❌ button at the top