When I first switched to Mac, using Spotlight Search immediately felt like a breath of fresh air. It was quick, minimal, and worked the way I always wished Windows Search would. I found myself using it constantly to open apps, find files, or do quick lookups, and it just felt like an extension of how I used my computer.

But then I discovered Raycast. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s basically a supercharged version of Spotlight. It made me realize how much time I could save by keeping everything just a few keystrokes away, and since then, it’s become the one app I can’t imagine working without.

Download: Raycast (Free, subscription available)

Raycast integrates with all my favorite apps

The less I open apps, the happier I am

One of the best things about Raycast is how seamlessly it connects to almost every app I use. It’s not just a launcher that opens apps or files; it actually lets me interact with them directly. Whether it’s managing logins through my password manager (if supported) or controlling browser actions in something like Chrome, I can do it all without ever touching the actual app. The built-in extension store is packed with integrations made by both Raycast and the community, and setting them up takes almost no effort.

What makes this so powerful is that I don’t have to deal with the UI of each app. I can stay focused and get everything done in one place instead of constantly switching between windows or tabs.

For instance, when I’m using Chrome, I can invoke Raycast with a hotkey to open a specific site, view my browsing history, or search all my tabs. If I need a login, I can pull it up from my password manager using a quick command. Everything happens right inside Raycast, which saves time and keeps me from getting distracted by cluttered interfaces.

It replaces a lot of apps I rely on

Raycast replaced half my dock

Similar to how Raycast integrates with my apps, so I don’t really need to open them, it also replaces a lot of those small, single-purpose tools that feel like they should already be part of macOS. You know, the kind of apps you install because they fill some tiny but useful gap in your workflow. Raycast feels like the next best thing since it bundles all those features into one clean interface.

For instance, there’s a simple to-do list extension that works perfectly for me. I’ve never been one for complicated project management tools like Notion. I just want a straightforward list where I can jot down tasks, check them off, and move on. So I ended up installing a to-do app from the Raycast store, and it’s probably the simplest solution I have found for myself.

I’ve also installed a Pomodoro timer extension, which has quietly replaced the small third-party timer I used before. It’s nothing fancy, but that’s exactly what I like about it; it fits naturally into my workflow without being intrusive. If there are any small apps like this that you use, there is a good chance you will find something similar on the Raycast store.

And even though macOS now includes a window manager, Raycast’s version gives me just a bit more control. I can assign shortcuts, create custom snapping areas, and rearrange windows exactly how I prefer.

Staying on the keyboard makes a bigger difference than you’d think

The mouse is officially retired

I’ve always liked keeping my hands on the keyboard as much as possible and avoiding the mouse or trackpad whenever I can. It helps me stay more focused, and I genuinely get things done faster this way. It’s something I’d recommend to anyone who spends long hours on a computer.

When you open Raycast using its hotkey (Option + Space by default), you’ll see a list of all the commands you can run. You can usually get to what you need just by typing a few relevant keywords, which sounds simple but saves an incredible amount of time once it becomes second nature.

If you’re subscribed to the Pro plan, you also get some really powerful AI features that let you run commands in plain language. You can literally type something like “delete all .txt files in my Documents folder,” and Raycast will handle it. It’s similar to what Apple promised Siri would eventually be able to do with Apple Intelligence, but so far it’s been a complete disaster.

My favorite feature, though, is the ability to set custom aliases for commands. You can right-click any command, hit Configure Command, and add your own shortcut. For instance, I’ve set “sp” to mean “start pomodoro,” so all I have to do is type “sp” into Raycast and the timer starts. Apple actually copied this exact feature for Spotlight in macOS Tahoe, but since Raycast supports way more commands, Spotlight still feels a bit limited in comparison.

It’s better than Spotlight in every possible way

Spotlight could never

Except for all the features I just mentioned, Raycast does everything that Spotlight search does, but better. When I’m looking for a file, Raycast not only finds it faster, it also gives me more useful context. You get a clear thumbnail or even a full-size preview of the file so you can instantly tell if it’s the one you’re looking for without opening Finder.

Spotlight, on the other hand, has started to feel slower since macOS Tahoe. I’ve noticed that it often takes a few extra seconds to load results, and sometimes the actual file I’m searching for isn’t even at the top. Instead, it pulls up some random cache or log file that has nothing to do with what I typed. Raycast fixes that by learning what I usually search for and putting the most relevant results right at the top.

I also like that I can take action directly from the results without having to open another app. Don’t get me wrong, Windows Search is still far worse, and Spotlight was a big step up from that. But even then, Raycast feels like a huge upgrade.

If you’re on Windows, you’re not completely out of luck

While Raycast is exclusive to macOS right now, the team is actively working on a Windows version. You can join the waitlist on Raycast’s Windows page to get early access once it rolls out.

However, if it’s anywhere near as polished and capable as the macOS version, it might just address one of my biggest gripes with Windows 11, as I have completely given up on Microsoft creating anything noteworthy related to search at this point.