How Raycast Transformed My MacBook Workflow
As knowledge workers, the tools we use and how we integrate them into our workflow can greatly impact our productivity, minimise context switching and distractions, and improve the overall work experience.
When I switched from a Windows machine to a MacBook M2 Pro in February 2023, I discovered Raycast, a free macOS launcher that has become an indispensable part of my daily routine. Raycast has transformed the way I interact with my MacBook, making it more enjoyable and efficient, and has quickly become my favourite Mac app.
In this blog post, I’ll share my thoughts on why Raycast is a game-changer for productivity and I’ll highlight my most frequent use cases and demonstrate how you can significantly improve your workflow.
What is Raycast?
Raycast is a free, fast, and powerful macOS launcher, think Spotlight (default launcher) or Alfred but better. With just two keystrokes, Option + Space, you can access Raycast and its productivity-boosting commands and extensions.
Why Raycast Stands Out?
Raycast is actively developed by a dedicated startup that engages with its community. The Raycast YouTube channel has great tips and inspiration for creative ways to use Raycast.
The best reason to use Raycast though is its thriving ecosystem of developers and the extensions that they build. This translates to a constantly evolving tool that adapts to your needs. I’ll share the extensions I most commonly use below.
Native Raycast Commands That Streamline My Workflow
Many inbuilt Raycast commands replace third-party apps I previously installed.
Raycast Extensions: Customising Your Workflow to Fit Your Needs
Those features alone are are enough to make me use Raycast. However, what truly sets Raycast apart is their Extension store, where anyone can develop an extension that can be approved.
Below are some of the extensions I use and how. Most extensions are activated simply by opening Raycast and typing the first few characters or initials. I’ve starred ⭐ high-usage shortcuts. Raycast learns your most frequently used commands and ranks them accordingly, ensuring that your favourite actions are always at your fingertips.
Conclusion
Raycast has become an essential tool in my toolkit and I can’t imagine using my MacBook without it. By leveraging its native commands and powerful extensions, I save countless hours every month. If you’re looking to boost your productivity and enjoy a more streamlined workflow, give Raycast a try and download it here or via Homebrew brew install --cask raycast.
Trust me, you won’t look back. Hope you’ve found this useful!
