Raycast is an application launcher and productivity software developed for macOS by Raycast Technologies Ltd. It offers fast access to applications, dictionaries, files, text snippets, clipboard, and more.[2] Raycast is an alternative to the macOS's built-in Spotlight function, with a richer interface and the option to install extensions, providing additional ways to display varied content.[3]
 Raycast App Icon | |
| Developer(s) | Raycast Technologies Ltd |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 2020 |
| Stable release | v1.83
/ 18 September 2024[1] |
| Operating system | macOS |
| Type | Application launcher (utility software) |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | raycast |
Features
editInterface
editActivated with a keyboard shortcut, ⌥ Option+Space by default but can be changed, Raycast displays a window at the center of the screen, awaiting the user's input and displaying a list of suggested apps.[4]
Raycast uses incremental search as the user types to predict the action the user intends to perform and display the corresponding result.[5] The application outputs the data in different formats such as lists and grids with a single or two-pane layout, supporting various data types like text with Markdown, media, and additional input fields. Each result might have more than one action available.[6]
Built-in functions
editRaycast comes with many built-in features that can have a shortcut or an alias assigned, most notably:
- Application search
- File search
- Clipboard history[7]
- Floating notes
- Calculator
- Changing volume, brightness, hibernating
- Word definitions
- Window management
- Snippets and text expansion[8]
- Access to calendar events
- Quick access to ChatGPT (paid feature)[9]
Extensibility
editWhile Raycast itself is a closed-source application, it includes a built-in store that offers open-source extensions to extend its functionality.[10] The API is open for developers and simple scripts could be written without extensive programming knowledge.
Some noteworthy extensions include managing GitHub repositories, controlling Spotify,[11] language translation through Google Translate, accessing browser bookmarks, connecting to Jira, and more.[12][13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Raycast Changelog". Raycast Technologies. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ Collins, Barry. "Raycast: The Free App That Every Mac Owner Should Install Now". Forbes. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Pot, Justin. "Raycast Is the Launcher App Apple Wishes It Made". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Clark, Mitchell (24 June 2022). "How to use Raycast and how it compares to Spotlight and Alfred". The Verge. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Birchler, Matt (10 November 2022). "Raycast for Mac. The Next-generation Alfred?". The Sweet Setup. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Ashwin (20 July 2022). "Raycast for macOS gets a new UI, Action Bar and Compact Mode – gHacks Tech News". gHacks Technology News. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Pathak, Khamosh (6 July 2021). "How to Disable Spotlight Search on Mac (and Replace It With Something Better)". Lifehacker. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Lawrence, Lizzy. "Replace Apple's Spotlight: Productivity tool Raycast uses hotkeys – Protocol". www.protocol.com. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Roth, Emma (11 May 2023). "Raycast's new Pro subscription adds AI and syncing features". The Verge. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Malik, Aisha (30 November 2021). "Developer productivity tools startup Raycast raises $15M from Accel and Coatue". TechCrunch. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Newman, Jared (14 March 2022). "This new breed of unified search apps does what Google doesn't". Fast Company.
- ^ Pot, Justin (19 April 2024). "The Best Raycast Extensions for Practically Anything". Lifehacker. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Chavanu, Bakari (18 December 2023). "My Favorite Raycast Extensions". Mac Automation Tips. Retrieved 16 May 2024.