# Task Manager creator builds cross-platform rival

> Dave Plummer, who wrote Windows Task Manager in 1996, has used AI to build TMOG, a native app for Mac, Windows and Linux in six weeks.
- Title: Task Manager creator builds cross-platform rival · Engadget
- Summary: Dave Plummer, who wrote Windows Task Manager in 1996, has used AI to build TMOG, a native app for Mac, Windows and Linux in six weeks. Dave Plummer, creator…
- Keywords: dave plummer, windows task manager, tmog, claude code, ai coding, cross-platform software, macos, windows, linux, system monitoring, technology, Task
- Source: Engadget — https://engadget.com/2262039/vibe-coded-modern-task-manager-runs-on-mac-and-linux
- Author: Luke James
- Published: 2026-09-22T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dave plummer, windows task manager, tmog, claude code, ai coding, cross-platform software, macos, windows, linux, system monitoring, technology
## The original Task Manager creator
Dave Plummer wrote Windows Task Manager in nineteen ninety-six for Windows NT four point zero. He's now built a successor called TMOG.
## Vibe coded with AI in four hours
Plummer fed Claude Code a one hundred seven page spec sheet and got a working app in four hours, while waiting with his son in hospital.
## Released across three platforms
TMOG beta launched on macOS on July thirty-first, with Windows and Linux builds on August twenty-third. A paid Pro tier arrived September seventh.
## Twelve views in one window
TMOG shows system summary, per-process resources, startup apps, services, power, network, installed apps, disk space and benchmarks with sixty hertz animation.
## Native code on every platform
TMOG runs Swift and AppKit on macOS, Direct two D on Windows and Qt six on Linux, all sharing a C plus plus core. Windows Task Manager often lies about CPU usage.

> It's well known that Task Manager lies to you about CPU usage.
## Free version with paid Pro option
The free version monitors live system and process activity. Pro adds Flight Recorder for replaying slowdowns and costs thirty nine dollars ninety five.
## Six weeks with two collaborators
Plummer built TMOG in under six weeks with two collaborators and Claude Code, changing the economics of cross-platform development usually requiring larger teams.

> You can't just tell Claude, 'Hey, write a task manager!' Well, you can, but it'll be hot garbage.
## Key takeaway

Dave Plummer, creator of Windows Task Manager, released TMOG, a cross-platform system monitor built with AI assistance, offering features Windows Task Manager lacks.