# Getting started with Raycast  ## Introduction [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=0s) - The video is an introduction to getting started with [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]], a powerful launch app specifically designed for [[MacOS | Mac]], presented by Paul Miners [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=0s). - The video aims to explain some of the features of Raycast and how it can be customized to make life easier [(00:00:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=8s). - Viewers are encouraged to leave a comment below the video if they have any questions after watching [(00:00:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=19s). ## What is Raycast? [(00:00:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=24s) - Raycast is a launcher app that is similar to the Spotlight feature on Mac, but more powerful and customizable, allowing users to find files, contacts, and other information quickly [(00:00:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=25s). - Spotlight is a [[Search engine | search feature]] on [[MacOS | Mac]] that can be opened by pressing Command + Space, enabling users to find files, contacts, and other things, open applications, and access information [(00:00:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=30s). - [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] is comparable to apps like Alfred, but offers more features and customization options, making it a versatile tool that can perform the work of multiple apps [(00:00:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=47s). - The app's design, interface, and customization options make it an attractive alternative to other launcher apps, with some users switching to Raycast after a short trial period [(00:01:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=75s). - Raycast is not a sponsored product, and opinions about it are based on personal user feedback and experience [(00:01:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=96s). ## Download and settings [(00:01:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=103s) - To get started with Raycast, download the app from the Raycast website at raycast.com and install it on your [[MacOS | Mac]] [(00:01:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=106s). - Once [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] is installed and opened, the app displays an input window where you can use the command comma shortcut to open the Raycast preferences [(00:02:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=127s). - In the preferences, you can enable Raycast to launch at login, so the app automatically opens when you start up your computer [(00:02:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=137s). - You can also change the default Raycast hotkey; in this case, the command space shortcut is used, which is normally assigned to Spotlight [(00:02:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=145s). - To avoid conflicts with Spotlight, you can change the Spotlight shortcut in the Mac system preferences, under keyboard and keyboard shortcuts, to a different key combination such as option space [(00:02:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=169s). - Other settings that can be adjusted in the Raycast preferences include text size, theme (light, dark, or system settings), and window size (large or compact) [(00:03:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=198s). - After configuring the settings, you can close the preferences screen and use the assigned hotkey (in this case, command space) to open Raycast [(00:03:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=221s). ## Finding files [(00:03:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=230s) - To find a file or document on the computer, typing a keyword such as "invoice" can be used to bring up various search prompts and areas, including the option to search files [(00:03:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=231s). - The search results can be filtered to show documents containing the keyword, and the user can choose to open the document by hitting return on the keyboard or by pressing command K to bring up an options menu [(00:04:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=257s). - The options menu allows the user to perform different actions on the document, including opening it, finding it in the Finder, quick looking at it, opening it with a certain app, moving it, copying it, duplicating it, copying the name, finding the path, or moving it to the trash [(00:04:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=264s). - [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] helps users perform various actions based on the document, making it easier to manage and interact with files [(00:04:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=286s). ## Opening apps [(00:04:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=291s) - Raycast is used to open any app on a [[MacOS | Mac]], eliminating the need to use the dock or Launchpad [(00:04:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=291s). - The Raycast app can be opened from anywhere, even when using other applications like [[Safari (web browser) | Safari]] or working on a document [(00:05:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=303s). - To open an app using Raycast, a few characters of the app's name can be typed, and then the app can be launched by hitting return [(00:05:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=306s). - This method provides a quick way to access and use the desired apps [(00:05:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=316s). ## Calculator and conversions [(00:05:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=320s) - Raycast's built-in calculator and conversion feature can be used to perform various calculations and conversions, such as mathematical operations and unit conversions, dozens of times a day [(00:05:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=321s). - The calculator feature allows users to perform calculations, and upon hitting return, the result is copied to the clipboard, making it easily pastable where needed [(00:05:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=339s). - This feature is more useful than Spotlight's calculator, which opens the calculator app upon hitting return, making it less convenient [(00:05:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=349s). - Raycast's conversion feature supports various types of conversions, including distances, lengths, currencies, and more, and also copies the result to the clipboard upon hitting return [(00:06:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=372s). - Users can access their calculator history by typing the word "calculator" or starting to type it, allowing them to refer back to previous calculations and conversions [(00:06:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=390s). - Having access to calculator history is useful for referring back to previously calculated numbers, making it a convenient feature in [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] [(00:06:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=400s). ## Aliases and hotkeys [(00:06:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=410s) - Raycast is highly customizable, allowing users to access and trigger actions more quickly by assigning an alias or a hotkey to any action [(00:06:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=410s). - Aliases are like keywords that can be assigned to actions, while hotkeys are keyboard shortcuts that can be used to trigger actions [(00:07:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=423s). - One of the features of Raycast is its ability to store clipboard history, which can be accessed by typing "clipboard history" in Raycast [(00:07:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=452s). - Clipboard history can be searched by typing a keyword, and it displays all the text, links, and email addresses that have been copied recently [(00:07:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=463s). - To assign an alias or hotkey to an action, users can go to the [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] settings by pressing command comma, and then navigate to the Extensions tab [(00:08:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=482s). - In the Extensions tab, users can find all the different actions and tools built into Raycast, including the clipboard history feature [(00:08:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=487s). - Users can assign an alias or record a hotkey for the clipboard history feature, allowing for quick access to the feature [(00:08:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=498s). - Assigning hotkeys and aliases can be done for any action that is performed frequently, such as searching emojis [(00:08:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=522s). - For example, the hotkey control command space can be assigned to the emoji [[Search engine | search feature]], allowing users to quickly find an emoji by typing its name [(00:08:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=532s). ## Seeing your schedule [(00:09:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=541s) - [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] offers basic features such as searching for files, contacts, or open applications, similar to Spotlight [(00:09:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=542s). - In addition to the basic features, Raycast has extra features that are not available with the normal Spotlight feature [(00:09:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=548s). - One of the additional features is the ability to type the word "schedule" or a custom alias, such as "Cal", to open and view the calendar schedule [(00:09:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=555s). - The calendar schedule view provides a summary of the day, including the next appointment and upcoming events [(00:09:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=567s). - By pressing command K again, different actions can be performed on the calendar event [(00:09:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=571s). ## Running Shortcuts [(00:09:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=579s) - The shortcuts app is used to run different shortcuts for helping throughout the day, and one of the shortcuts is used to [[FaceTime]] a colleague named Warwick by typing the word "FaceTime" or its assigned alias "face" [(00:09:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=582s). - The FaceTime shortcut can be triggered by typing "face" and then choosing to FaceTime either Warwick or Lindsay, eliminating the need to open the FaceTime app and start a new call [(00:09:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=595s). - The shortcut can be run directly from [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] by typing "command space face FaceTime Warrick" [(00:10:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=609s). - It is also possible to create [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] shortcuts that can be run from Raycast [(00:10:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=614s). ## Creating Reminders [(00:10:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=615s) - Raycast allows users to create reminders directly from the app, which is not possible with Spotlight, and offers options to open the Reminders app, view a summary of upcoming reminders, or create a new reminder [(00:10:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=617s). - When creating a reminder in Raycast, users can input the name of the reminder, choose a due date, assign a priority, and select a particular list for the reminder [(00:10:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=623s). - Reminders created in [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] are instantly added without the need to open the Reminders app separately, and this feature can be accessed from anywhere [(00:10:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=630s). - To quickly access the reminder creation feature, users can assign a hotkey to the "Create Reminder" action in the reminder settings, such as control + command + plus sign or equals [(00:10:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=653s). - Assigning a hotkey allows users to access the reminder creation screen from anywhere using the shortcut, without having to go through the search function [(00:11:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=664s). ## Quicklinks [(00:11:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=672s) - The Quick Links feature in Raycast allows users to create quick links to documents, folders, or perform searches on the web using an alias, making it a useful tool for frequent searches [(00:11:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=674s). - To create a quick link, users can open [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]], type "quick link," and use the "create quick link" command, then give the link a name and enter the search URL or document path [(00:11:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=697s). - Users can find the search URL by performing a search on a website, copying the address, and then pasting it into the quick link, removing the search query and replacing it with the "query" parameter [(00:12:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=731s). - The quick link can be set to open in a default browser, and users can assign an alias to the link, allowing them to access it by typing the alias and a space, followed by their search query [(00:12:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=772s). - Quick links can be used to perform searches on various websites, such as [[YouTube]], [[Vimeo]], and [[WordPress]], as well as to access documents and files on a regular basis [(00:13:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=799s). - Users can also apply quick links to documents by searching for a file, bringing up the actions menu, and selecting "create quick link," then assigning an alias to the link [(00:14:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=843s). - Assigning an alias to a quick link allows users to quickly access the linked document or perform a search by typing the alias and their query, making it a time-saving feature [(00:14:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=866s). ## Other features [(00:14:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=877s) - [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] offers a wide range of features beyond its core functionality, allowing users to explore and discover its capabilities [(00:14:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=877s). - Users can perform system commands, such as emptying the trash, quitting applications, restarting, or shutting down their computer, directly within Raycast [(00:14:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=884s). - Raycast also enables users to arrange windows by moving them to the left or right half of the screen, allowing for a customized screen layout [(00:14:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=893s). - Additionally, users can create and store text snippets, such as email templates or frequently used links, within Raycast, potentially replacing the need for separate apps like TextExpander [(00:15:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=904s). - Raycast provides features for taking and managing screenshots, as well as performing translations, further expanding its utility [(00:15:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=925s). ## 3rd party extensions [(00:15:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=931s) - [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] allows users to install third-party extensions created by other developers for their apps, which can be run inside Raycast [(00:15:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=932s). - An example of a third-party extension is the CleanShot X extension, which allows users to run CleanShot actions from Raycast, such as taking screenshots, recording areas of the screen, and annotating images [(00:15:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=945s). - The CleanShot extension can be found and installed from the Raycast website under the developer menu [(00:16:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=969s). - Once installed, the extension appears in the extensions menu of the Raycast settings, where users can view and access different CleanShot actions [(00:16:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=983s). - Users can assign aliases to quickly start CleanShot actions from Raycast, such as assigning the alias "CS" to start recording the screen [(00:16:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=995s). - With the CleanShot extension, users can quickly record their screen, change settings, and start recording without having to open the CleanShot app [(00:16:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=1008s). ## Outro [(00:16:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=1019s) - This overview of getting started with [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] has only scratched the surface of the app's capabilities, with a lot of power and various features available for use [(00:16:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=1019s). - Raycast offers a range of features, including organization settings, sharing of actions and settings with teams, access to AI, and integration with [[ChatGPT]], but these are only available with a Raycast Pro subscription [(00:17:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=1030s). - The free account still offers a lot of useful features that can save time and make life easier [(00:17:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=1045s). - Viewers are encouraged to leave comments below if they have any questions about using Raycast [(00:17:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=1057s). - The video concludes with a thank you to viewers and an invitation to watch the next video [(00:17:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZpAXFj8vM&t=1061s).