# Get Raycast for Mac this minute ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ByR9403oHw8/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Introduction [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=0s) - Raycast is a [[MacOS | Mac]] app that could be beneficial for writers, offering features worth exploring through this or similar apps [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=0s). - The app has features that are worth recommending, and its usefulness is demonstrated by the fact that it was installed for someone else [(00:00:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=8s). - Raycast is good at speeding up tasks on a Mac, such as finding documents, searching online, and opening apps [(00:00:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=33s). - The app is particularly useful for those who do not already have alternative solutions, but it may not be good enough to replace existing alternatives [(00:00:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=42s). - Despite its potential, there are reasons why it may not be suitable for everyone, and it has limitations that prevent it from fully replacing other alternatives [(00:00:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=48s). ## Raycast [(00:00:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=53s) - Raycast is a great tool for [[MacOS | Mac]] users, offering a range of features, including an excellent clipboard manager that is available for free [(00:01:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=93s). - A clipboard manager is a useful tool that allows users to access previously copied text, making it easier to fill out forms, write pitches, and perform other tasks [(00:01:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=79s). - Unlike other clipboard managers that cost money, Raycast's clipboard manager is free and offers the ability to go back to previously copied text, even from a week ago [(00:01:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=104s). - The clipboard manager in Raycast allows users to copy and paste text, and also keeps a record of previously copied text, making it easy to access and reuse [(00:02:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=158s). - The app is useful for tasks such as filling out forms online, writing pitches, and copying and pasting text into different slots [(00:03:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=229s). - Raycast's clipboard manager is considered one of the best, and it's surprising that [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] doesn't include a similar feature on every Mac [(00:02:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=126s). - The app offers more features beyond its clipboard manager, making it a valuable tool for [[MacOS | Mac]] users [(00:04:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=285s). ## Launcher [(00:04:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=288s) - Raycast is a launcher that allows users to launch apps, documents, and other items quickly, faster than using the Mac dock or searching through folders [(00:04:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=288s). - Spotlight, Apple's built-in launcher, is available on every Mac and can be used by pressing Command + Spacebar, typing an app's name, and hitting return to launch the app [(00:05:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=319s). - Raycast offers additional features beyond launching apps, including a clipboard manager, fast access to the Mac dictionary, and the ability to quickly add appointments to the calendar [(00:06:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=383s). - Raycast also allows users to search for notes, create quick notes that can be easily accessed, and set reminders [(00:06:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=397s). - Other features of Raycast include the ability to empty the trash, restart the [[MacOS | Mac]], turn the volume to 100, search Google or [[DuckDuckGo]], and run shell commands [(00:06:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=413s). - Raycast is free and can be used in conjunction with Spotlight, offering a range of features and functionality from a single bar that appears on the screen when a keystroke is typed [(00:07:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=445s). ## Alfred [(00:07:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=449s) - Raycast is a launcher application that is often compared to Alfred, another launcher tool, but it has its own unique features and strengths [(00:07:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=449s). - The user has been using Alfred for years and has paid for the full version, but still hasn't learned everything it can do, whereas Raycast is good at teaching users how to use it through its introductory lesson [(00:08:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=538s). - The user finds that Alfred takes fewer steps to get what they want, and they have developed keyboard shortcuts to quickly access different features, making it faster to use [(00:09:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=598s). - Raycast has a clipboard manager section that opens by default, which can be a pause in the workflow, whereas Alfred has a keystroke to quickly access the clipboard manager or start typing to search for something else [(00:09:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=575s). - The user uses Alfred's text actions feature, which allows them to quickly perform tasks such as emailing a backup copy of documents, and they have developed a keystroke to access this feature [(00:10:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=641s). - The user prefers Alfred over other launcher applications like [[LaunchBar]], but acknowledges that it's a matter of personal preference [(00:08:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=510s). - Raycast is a strong alternative to Alfred, and its introductory lesson is well-done, making it easy for new users to learn how to use it [(00:09:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=548s). - Raycast for [[MacOS | Mac]] is a recommended tool, and if not for prior experience with Alfred, it would be a top choice, despite the unclear name [(00:12:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=752s). - Alfred is a powerful tool with a large community of users creating extensions, making it highly customizable [(00:11:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=695s). - An example of an Alfred extension is a TV episode guide lookup, which can be accessed quickly using a custom command [(00:11:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=712s). - The TV episode guide extension is not flawless but works most of the time, making it a handy tool [(00:12:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=733s). - Raycast has a clipboard manager that is worth trying, and it's possible that users may stick with Raycast for other features as well [(00:12:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=770s). - The clipboard manager in Raycast allows for easy access to previously copied lines, making it a useful tool for productivity [(00:13:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByR9403oHw8&t=781s).