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abue-ammar/tinycast

A tiny, fully native macOS launcher with a global hotkey, app search, clipboard history, snippets and Raycast extension support.

Open-source alternative to:RaycastAlfred

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What is it?

Tinycast is a macOS launcher built with SwiftUI and AppKit, with no third-party dependencies and no Electron. One global hotkey opens a floating command palette where you can fuzzy-search and launch apps, switch between running apps, and bind individual keys to apps so pressing them toggles focus or hiding.

Beyond launching, the palette covers a wide set of everyday tasks: searching files through Spotlight in folders you choose, looking up words in the Mac's built-in dictionaries, browsing clipboard history for text and images, doing inline calculator and currency conversions, and running Apple Shortcuts, custom shell commands, quicklinks and Markdown snippets. It also includes 34 window-management actions, system actions such as lock, sleep and mute, a calendar view of upcoming meetings, and a Markdown notes editor.

Tinycast can run existing Raycast extensions, rendering them as native SwiftUI. AI features are optional and off by default, and they can use your own API key or an installed AI account.

Key features

  • 01Fuzzy-search and launch apps, with per-app hotkeys that toggle focus or hide.
  • 02Clipboard history for text and images, pasted back into the active app.
  • 03Window management with 34 halves, quarters, thirds and display-move actions.
  • 04Searches files through Spotlight in folders you choose, without its own index.
  • 05Inline calculator with unit and live currency and crypto conversions.
  • 06Runs Raycast extensions natively, rendered in SwiftUI.

Use cases

  • Replacing a heavier launcher to keep memory use low on a Mac.
  • Opening apps, files and shortcuts from one hotkey without touching the mouse.
  • Reusing an existing set of Raycast extensions outside Electron.
  • Keeping text snippets and clipboard items searchable during daily work.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Add the Homebrew tap (trust it first)

    brew trust --tap abue-ammar/tinycast
  2. 2

    Tap the repository

    brew tap abue-ammar/tinycast
  3. 3

    Install on Apple silicon with macOS 26 or newer (use tinycast-universal on Intel)

    brew install --cask tinycast
  4. 4

    Open Settings → General and record a global shortcut to summon Tinycast

Things to know

  • Requires macOS 26 or later, so it does not run on older macOS versions.
  • Intel Macs need a separate universal build, and it is only listed for macOS 26.
  • Licensed under AGPL-3.0, a copyleft license that requires sharing modified source when distributed or offered as a service.

Topics

#macos#launcher#swift#swiftui#clipboard#hotkeys#productivity

FAQ

What is tinycast?
A tiny, fully native macOS launcher with a global hotkey, app search, clipboard history, snippets and Raycast extension support. Tinycast is a macOS launcher built with SwiftUI and AppKit, with no third-party dependencies and no Electron. One global hotkey opens a floating command palette where you can fuzzy-search and launch apps, switch between running apps, and bind individual keys to apps so pressing them toggles focus or hiding.
Is tinycast free to use? What license does it have?
tinycast is open source under the Other license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is tinycast still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to tinycast was on Oct 19, 2026.
What can I use tinycast for?
Replacing a heavier launcher to keep memory use low on a Mac. Opening apps, files and shortcuts from one hotkey without touching the mouse. Reusing an existing set of Raycast extensions outside Electron. Keeping text snippets and clipboard items searchable during daily work.
How do I install tinycast?
Add the Homebrew tap (trust it first): brew trust --tap abue-ammar/tinycast Tap the repository: brew tap abue-ammar/tinycast Install on Apple silicon with macOS 26 or newer (use tinycast-universal on Intel): brew install --cask tinycast Open Settings → General and record a global shortcut to summon Tinycast
Where can I get tinycast?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/abue-ammar/tinycast

Summary generated by AI from the project's README. GitHub stats refresh daily.

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