Show HN: KeyGhost – Keyboard app launcher for macOS
keyghost.devI got tired of MacOS failing to index applications (it consistently seems to prefer apps installed on my phone instead of the computer) so I've bound them to keys and have started building muscle memory for opening and switching apps. Reduces mental fatigue from constantly cmd + tabbing between apps all day
There's a bunch of other apps in this space.
Previously I was using LeaderKey: https://github.com/mikker/LeaderKey - Free, open source, no longer being actively developed.
The Dev for LeaderKey evolved that into Tuna: https://tunaformac.com/pro - One-time $49 for Pro, Free in Beta - Has a bunch of new features and is activly developed
I stopped using LeaderKey because it wasn't going to receive continued support. I stopped using Tuna because the new complexity of the main app wasn't clicking for me.
So I returned to Raycast and set shortcuts to launch apps, but it doesn't have the nesting feature that I really enjoyed from LeaderKey/Tuna.
One thing to call out on the website. I wanted to see what this looked like and how it works, but on the website it asks you to press caps lock to bring up the interface. I have Caps Lock rebound to Hyperkey, so I can't see what this looks like. Maybe add an on-screen caps lock button or add some screenshots farther down the page?
Going to give this a try as well!
I also remained in Raycast after playing with those and other apps. Too much works well there, for me. (I launch apps with C-1 to C-3 to be honest.. I wish I could memorize a couple more...)
This needs full keystroke access (accessibility + input monitoring). fine for karabiner which everyone's audited, but a brand new solo project? how are people thinking about that?
I’ll play around and see if it works with reduced permissions. I understand your concern.
FWIW there’s no outgoing network requests or telemetry, nor logging. Thanks for checking it out anyway
Gave the repo to Claude and asked for an audit. Seems ok.
Quite cool, I had to run locally for it to work. Problem is I already use Raycast to set-up virtually the same thing, and use "Caps as Control" in the terminal commands (C-a, C-c...)
I originally intended for it to bind to the Hyperkey bind but had trouble getting it to play nice with existing binds. Any ideas of other key binds that might work? It occupies a lot of fingers
Left Control did work for me? (I mean the physical Caps Lock key that is rebound to Control..)