# 😲 Raycast is an insanely powerful Mac app ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KL0unqxkcDA/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Welcome! [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=0s) - Today's video is about an app called [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]], which is a new discovery that has made a strong impression [(00:00:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=3s). - The app has been used in a limited capacity so far, but its potential is exciting for future use [(00:00:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=16s). - The video will cover an overview of Raycast, its general features, and how it is being used currently in a narrow way, as well as its potential for expanded use [(00:00:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=29s). - The decision to share Raycast was made quickly due to enthusiasm for its capabilities and potential benefits [(00:00:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=27s). ## What is Raycast? [(00:00:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=39s) - [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] is a [[MacOS | Mac]] app that serves as a replacement for Spotlight, similar to how Alfred is a third-party alternative for Spotlight, launching apps and performing various tasks with plug-ins and extensions [(00:00:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=39s). - Unlike Alfred, Raycast is not a clone but offers its own unique approach to replacing Spotlight [(00:00:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=56s). - Raycast has customizable settings and can be used for various powerful tasks, such as integrating with [[Unsplash]], which showcases the app's capabilities [(00:01:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=68s). ## The basics [(00:01:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=76s) - Raycast can be quickly accessed on a Mac using a keyboard shortcut, bringing up an interface similar to Alfred or Spotlight [(00:01:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=76s). - The interface displays a list of suggestions, mostly consisting of recent actions or opened items, along with available commands [(00:01:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=89s). - The list of available commands is extensive, offering various functionalities such as resizing windows, system controls, and adjusting volume [(00:01:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=95s). - System controls include options for turning things on and off, in addition to other system-related tasks [(00:01:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=104s). - The displayed commands represent only a small portion of Raycast's capabilities, with many more features available [(00:01:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=111s). ## Keyboard shortcuts galore [(00:01:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=114s) - [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] allows users to launch applications with ease, and this functionality can be accessed by typing in the application's name and hitting return [(00:01:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=114s). - In addition to launching applications, Raycast offers more features, which can be accessed by typing in the application's name and exploring the available options [(00:02:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=122s). - Users can access additional options by typing in the application's name and hitting command K, revealing a list of available actions with corresponding keyboard shortcuts [(00:02:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=129s). - Raycast provides a wide range of actions that can be performed using keyboard shortcuts, allowing users to memorize the most useful ones [(00:02:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=134s). - Some examples of available actions include showing the application in the Finder using command return, and showing info on the application in the Finder using command I [(00:02:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=141s). ## Shopping for (free) extensions [(00:02:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=155s) - [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] has an extension framework that allows users to add more functionality to the app through various extensions, which can be accessed by typing "store" in the app [(00:02:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=162s). - The extension store features a list of suggested, trending, and popular extensions that users can browse through and install [(00:02:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=174s). - Users can search for specific extensions by typing keywords, such as "password" or "notes", to find relevant plugins [(00:02:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=176s). - There are extensions available for popular password management tools like [[KeePass]], [[Bitwarden]], and [[1Password]] [(00:02:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=178s). - Extensions are also available for note-taking apps like Bear Notes and [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] Notes [(00:03:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=182s). ## The Unsplash plugin [(00:03:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=185s) - The [[Unsplash]] plugin is an example extension that provides information on the developer, update history, source code, and available commands [(00:03:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=186s). - The Unsplash plugin allows users to search images, search collections, view liked images, and set a random wallpaper from Unsplash [(00:03:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=197s). - To use the Unsplash plugin, users need to install it and then provide an API key, which can be obtained from Unsplash [(00:03:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=216s). - Once the API key is entered, users can search for images on Unsplash, view image details, and perform various actions such as opening the image on Unsplash, copying the image to the clipboard, setting it as the desktop wallpaper, downloading the image, and copying the image URL [(00:03:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=229s). - The plugin also allows users to view the author's page, which displays all of their images, by hitting command return [(00:04:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=284s). - The Unsplash plugin provides a convenient way to access Unsplash features and perform searches directly within the app, making it useful for frequent users [(00:04:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=292s). ## There is so much more possible [(00:05:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=300s) - [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] offers abilities for developers to create custom interfaces, making it a powerful tool with a lot of possibilities [(00:05:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=301s). - The app has a clipboard history feature, which can be useful but also contains sensitive information like passwords that need to be kept private [(00:05:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=308s). - Raycast has a wide range of extensions available, including one from [[1Password]], which allows users to search for and access their passwords directly within the app [(00:05:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=322s). - The 1Password extension requires enabling, but once set up, it provides easy access to passwords from Raycast, a feature also available in other apps like Alfred [(00:05:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=330s). - The possibilities offered by Raycast are vast, and some developers are excited about the ease of building custom extensions for the app [(00:05:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=340s). - The ease of building extensions is likely to lead to a wide range of possibilities and uses for Raycast, making it an exciting tool to explore [(00:05:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=342s). - The app's potential and possibilities make it worth discussing and trying out, with plans for a future video to delve deeper into its features and uses [(00:05:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=348s). ## Pricing [(00:06:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=360s) - [[Raycast (software) | Raycast]] can be downloaded for free from the Raycast website, which can be found through a [[Google]] search [(00:06:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=360s). - The business model of Raycast is not entirely clear, and it is uncertain whether they will start charging for the app in the long term [(00:06:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=373s). - As of now, Raycast is free for personal use, with a team option available on the pricing page [(00:06:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0unqxkcDA&t=384s).