Raycast

What is Raycast?

Raycast is a macOS application launcher and productivity platform designed to enhance user efficiency by providing quick access to apps, files, snippets, and system commands through an ergonomic and customizable interface. It replaces and extends the native Spotlight functionality with incremental search, rich UI, and a broad ecosystem of extensions. Raycast integrates AI features such as ChatGPT and Claude directly into the OS environment, enabling users to automate tasks, manage windows, calculate, handle calendar events, and interact with AI models seamlessly without leaving their workflow.

Key Features

• Unified Application Launcher

  Quickly launch and switch between apps, files, and commands with a customizable keyboard shortcut and incremental search.

• Powerful Window Management

  Easily switch, move, resize, and close application windows, optimizing screen real estate especially on large displays.

• Integrated AI Assistant

  Access multiple AI models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and open-source alternatives directly within Raycast for tasks like writing improvement, code explanation, and image generation.

• Extensible with Open API

  Developers can create and share custom extensions using familiar web technologies (React, TypeScript, Node), expanding Raycast’s capabilities.

• Built-in Productivity Tools

  Includes clipboard history, snippets, calculator with unit and currency conversions, floating notes, calendar event management, and more.

• Customizable Workflows and Hotkeys

  Assign aliases, hotkeys, and create snippets to automate repetitive tasks and speed up daily operations.

Use Cases

• Streamlined App and File Access : Users can rapidly open applications, documents, or system settings without navigating menus or multiple windows.
• Enhanced Workflow Automation : Automate repetitive tasks like text expansion, window arrangement, and quick note-taking to boost productivity.
• AI-Powered Assistance : Professionals leverage integrated AI for writing assistance, coding help, language translation, and generating creative content.
• Developer and Team Collaboration : Developers build and share extensions for managing GitHub, Jira, Spotify, and other tools directly from Raycast.
• Meeting and Schedule Management : Quickly view calendar events, join calls, block focus time, and manage meetings without leaving the launcher.

FAQs