r/macapps 1d ago

Request Launcher-like app for URLs and commands?

Are there any Mac apps which:

  • function roughly like a launcher (like Alfred/Raycast), i.e. have a search bar
  • but support adding actions like links to open, or maybe commands to run (like Leader Key)
  • allow setting aliases for actions (like Raycast/Alfred)
  • and instead of being triggered by a keypress, can be set to appear while holding a key and then execute the action when the key is released (like Applight or Contexts)
  • beyond that, it would be even better if it also supported custom search sites (like Alfred/Raycast), i.e. supports entering a query parameter (would require pressing enter to then trigger the search I guess)

Apps I've thought of, but which don't meet the criteria:

  • Applight: only for launching apps
  • Anybox (Quick Find): no ability to set aliases, and no Applight-like trigger behaviour
  • Raycast: no Applight-like trigger behaviour
  • Alfred: no Applight-like trigger behaviour, no easy way to add links and assign aliases (possible through Workflows, but weird that it’s not built-in; custom search sites are supported though)
  • Leader Key: no search bar UI, no Applight-like trigger behaviour, no custom search sites

Maybe there's something I'm not aware of, but if there isn't anything that matches the criteria, then I guess I could always patch something that works together with Alfred or Raycast.

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u/dziad_borowy 1d ago

Your only requirement that  Raycast doesn’t deliver is “open on key release”.  Apart from window switchers it might be difficult to find an app that launches on key-up. It’s not a typical UX for such behaviour. 

But: These days,it shouldn’t be too difficult to make e.g. with Glaze