diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index aa7ea93..7db34a5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -318,6 +318,7 @@ Open Settings from the menu bar popover or with **⌘,**
 - **Hotkey** - Choose from common presets or record a custom activation key directly from your keyboard. The selected key is consumed by VocaMac while the app is running.
 - **Language** - Auto-detect or specify (English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, and more)
 - **Launch at login**
+- **Menu bar icon** - Show or hide the VocaMac icon in the system menu bar
 
 ### Audio
 - **Max recording duration** - 30s, 60s, 120s, or 300s
diff --git a/Sources/VocaMac/App/VocaMacApp.swift b/Sources/VocaMac/App/VocaMacApp.swift
index f4a72c4..fde86bd 100644
--- a/Sources/VocaMac/App/VocaMacApp.swift
+++ b/Sources/VocaMac/App/VocaMacApp.swift
@@ -226,10 +226,11 @@ struct VocaMacApp: App {
     @StateObject private var settingsManager = SettingsWindowManager()
     @StateObject private var updateWindowManager = UpdateWindowManager()
     @StateObject private var onboardingManager = OnboardingWindowManager()
+    @AppStorage("vocamac.showTrayIcon") private var showTrayIcon = true
 
     var body: some Scene {
         // Menu bar presence — the primary UI for VocaMac
-        MenuBarExtra {
+        MenuBarExtra(isInserted: $showTrayIcon) {
             MenuBarView(settingsManager: settingsManager, updateWindowManager: updateWindowManager)
                 .environmentObject(appState)
         } label: {
@@ -244,6 +245,11 @@ struct VocaMacApp: App {
                 }
         }
         .menuBarExtraStyle(.window)
+
+        Settings {
+            SettingsView()
+                .environmentObject(appState)
+        }
     }
 
     @MainActor init() {
diff --git a/Sources/VocaMac/Models/AppState.swift b/Sources/VocaMac/Models/AppState.swift
index d338896..1d06391 100644
--- a/Sources/VocaMac/Models/AppState.swift
+++ b/Sources/VocaMac/Models/AppState.swift
@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@ final class AppState: ObservableObject {
     @AppStorage(PreferenceKey.selectedLanguage) var selectedLanguage: String = "auto"
     @AppStorage("vocamac.launchAtLogin") var launchAtLogin: Bool = false
     @AppStorage("vocamac.preserveClipboard") var preserveClipboard: Bool = true
+    @AppStorage("vocamac.showTrayIcon") var showTrayIcon: Bool = true
     @AppStorage("vocamac.soundEffectsEnabled") var soundEffectsEnabled: Bool = true
     @AppStorage("vocamac.overlayStyle") var overlayStyle: OverlayStyle = .minimal
     @AppStorage("vocamac.overlayPosition") var overlayPosition: OverlayPosition = .bottom
diff --git a/Sources/VocaMac/Views/SettingsView.swift b/Sources/VocaMac/Views/SettingsView.swift
index d2f6aeb..42efa44 100644
--- a/Sources/VocaMac/Views/SettingsView.swift
+++ b/Sources/VocaMac/Views/SettingsView.swift
@@ -374,6 +374,12 @@ struct ApplicationSettingsPage: View {
                 Text("When enabled, your clipboard contents are restored after injecting text.")
                     .font(.caption)
                     .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
+
+                Toggle("Show VocaMac in the menu bar", isOn: $appState.showTrayIcon)
+
+                Text("Display the VocaMac icon in the system menu bar. If hidden, use ⌘, while VocaMac is active to reopen Settings.")
+                    .font(.caption)
+                    .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
             }
 
             Section("Recording Overlay") {
diff --git a/Tests/VocaMacTests/AppStateTests.swift b/Tests/VocaMacTests/AppStateTests.swift
index bbb4e3e..b6cc758 100644
--- a/Tests/VocaMacTests/AppStateTests.swift
+++ b/Tests/VocaMacTests/AppStateTests.swift
@@ -30,6 +30,31 @@ final class TranslationToggleTests: XCTestCase {
     }
 }
 
+// MARK: - Tray Icon Toggle Tests
+
+final class TrayIconToggleTests: XCTestCase {
+
+    @MainActor
+    func testTrayIconIsShownByDefault() {
+        let (appState, _) = AppState.makeTestState()
+
+        XCTAssertTrue(appState.showTrayIcon)
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    func testTrayIconCanBeToggled() {
+        let (appState, _) = AppState.makeTestState()
+
+        appState.showTrayIcon = false
+        XCTAssertFalse(appState.showTrayIcon)
+        XCTAssertFalse(UserDefaults.standard.bool(forKey: "vocamac.showTrayIcon"))
+
+        appState.showTrayIcon = true
+        XCTAssertTrue(appState.showTrayIcon)
+        XCTAssertTrue(UserDefaults.standard.bool(forKey: "vocamac.showTrayIcon"))
+    }
+}
+
 
 // MARK: - OnboardingStep Tests
 
diff --git a/Tests/VocaMacTests/Mocks/MockServices.swift b/Tests/VocaMacTests/Mocks/MockServices.swift
index 56beda0..dd4fea4 100644
--- a/Tests/VocaMacTests/Mocks/MockServices.swift
+++ b/Tests/VocaMacTests/Mocks/MockServices.swift
@@ -484,6 +484,7 @@ extension AppState {
     ) -> (appState: AppState, mocks: TestMocks) {
         UserDefaults.standard.removeObject(forKey: "vocamac.selectedAudioDeviceID")
         UserDefaults.standard.removeObject(forKey: "vocamac.selectedAudioDeviceName")
+        UserDefaults.standard.removeObject(forKey: "vocamac.showTrayIcon")
 
         let audioEngine = MockAudioEngine()
         let soundManager = MockSoundManager()
diff --git a/docs/DATA_MODEL.md b/docs/DATA_MODEL.md
index f8228c8..6515d6a 100644
--- a/docs/DATA_MODEL.md
+++ b/docs/DATA_MODEL.md
@@ -312,6 +312,7 @@ struct UserSettings {
     // App Behavior
     var launchAtLogin: Bool = false
     var preserveClipboard: Bool = true          // Restore clipboard after text injection
+    var showTrayIcon: Bool = true               // Show VocaMac in the system menu bar
     var playSoundEffects: Bool = false          // Sound on start/stop recording
 }
 ```