SpaceLauncher for macOS

Triggers

Why Space? Because your thumb is already there. But Space is just the default — here is everything a trigger can be.

Bring your own leader

Any key can lead — in whichever way suits it:

• Hold, keeping the tap — the default: holding Space triggers; a quick tap still types a space. Any key can work this way — even ;.
• Hold, dedicated — give SpaceLauncher a key you rarely type with, like F12. It gives up its original function, and it is ready the moment you press it.
• Tap a hotkey — press and release ⌥S, then type the trigger keys.
• Tap a single modifier — ⌘ alone (or ⇧, ⌥, ⌃), pressed and released, works too.

Each binding chooses its own leader, so a Space setup and a Caps Lock setup can live side by side.

More details in the guide.

One key, or a few in a row

After the leader, press one key — or several, in order. Space F D: hold Space, press F, then D — Downloads opens. There is no length limit: Space A W E S O M E can run an AppleScript that tells you you're awesome.

No need to let go

Space S opens Safari; Space N opens Notes. You can run both in one hold: keep Space down, press S, then N — no releasing in between. A shortcut can even repeat: Space = zooms in with a simulated ⌘+; press = again to keep zooming.

The same key, the right action in every app

Space C can duplicate the selected text in TextEdit, then compress selected files in Finder — each binding can be limited to the apps where it makes sense. And if SpaceLauncher should do nothing at all in some app, add it to the disabled list.

Typing stays typing

Tap Space to type normally. Hold it to trigger. SpaceLauncher tells the difference automatically. The catch: when you type fast, the next key often goes down before Space comes back up. General tools like Karabiner, Hammerspoon, and Keyboard Maestro can approximate pieces of that timing. SpaceLauncher is built around it.

Space-plus-mouse gestures still work: hold Space and drag to pan in Photoshop, as usual.

What if I forget?

Hold and look. The hint window shows what you can press next — follow the tree from Space F, then D, and Downloads opens.

Actions you use often become less prominent, so the ones you still need help with stand out. Drag the window where you like; make it appear instantly, after a pause, or never.

Or just search

While the hint window is open, press / and type to search all your bindings. If / is taken, pick another key.

Actions

A shortcut pairs a trigger with an action — and any trigger can run any of these.

Open things

• Open App — launch, with arguments if you need them
  • Already running? Hide it instead, or switch back to the previous app
• Open URL — in your default browser or a specific one
  • With Tab Slot, a URL reuses its own tab instead of opening duplicate tabs — Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, via a companion extension
• Open File · Open Folder — optionally with an app you choose
• Open Finder

Control the app you're in

• Run Menu Command — run any menu item of the frontmost app: Space E → File ▸ Export as PDF… (How menu commands work)
• Simulate Keystroke — any key with any modifier combination, F11 to ⌃⌥⇧⌘A

Run your own scripts

• Run AppleScript
• Run Shell Command
• Execute File — with arguments

System

• Notification — click it to open a URL, or SpaceLauncher's Key Bindings window
• Switch Input Method
• Sleep
• Toggle Key Bindings Window — open or close SpaceLauncher's own Key Bindings window

Built to last

Your setup is not locked away. You can export your config as documented, human-readable JSON, then parse it, migrate it, diff it, or script against it. Bindings can be shared on their own, too: export them as .slbindings files or copy them through the clipboard; importing can merge or replace.

SpaceLauncher also keeps local rolling, timestamped backups, so a damaged configuration can be recovered. When you save shortcuts, conflict detection warns about exact sequence and prefix conflicts before they become surprises.