Raycast: A Productivity Tool That Just Makes Sense

Why Raycast is better than Spotlight

Raycast is one of those tools that solve small problems, in this case a lot of small problems at once, which makes everything a bit faster. It’s what spotlight for mac does, but instead of just searching for files, you can launch apps, manage your clipboard, check timezones, compress files, and even integrate with your calendar. All without having to open different tabs in your browser.

If you’re someone who is constantly going through different apps and tabs, Raycast cuts out the extra steps and gets you where you need to be.

Features That Actually Save Time

1. Keyboard Shortcuts for Everything

Raycast is all about skipping unnecessary clicks. You can open apps, search files, shut down your computer, mute notifications, or even run entire scripts, just by typing a few letters. If there’s something you do regularly, chances are you can create a shortcut for it.

2. Clipboard History

Ever copied something, then copied something else, and lost the first thing? Raycast keeps track of everything you copy, so you can pull up your clipboard history and grab anything you need. Super useful if you’re constantly switching between links, bits of code, or snippets of text.

3. Timezone Conversion Without Google

If you work with people in different time zones, you probably find yourself Googling "EST to PST" more times than you’d like. With Raycast, you just type the city or time, and it converts it instantly. No extra steps.

4. Quick File Compression and Format Conversion

Dragging files into an online tool just to compress or convert can become annoying. Raycast lets you do it right from the command bar. Need to turn a PNG into a JPG? Resize an image? Zip a file? You can do it in seconds without opening another app.

5. Calendar and Schedule Management

Instead of checking your calendar every time you want to see what’s next, you can just type "calendar" in Raycast. It shows your upcoming meetings, lets you join Zoom calls, and helps you keep track of events without getting sidetracked by notifications or emails.

Raycast Marketplace - Build or download what you need

This is where Raycast really stands out. It doesn’t just come with a set of built-in features, it lets you add whatever you need through extensions. There’s a growing marketplace where people have already built tools for things like ChatGPT, GitHub, Notion, and even controlling smart home devices.

And if what you need doesn’t exist? You can build it. Raycast makes it easy to create custom extensions, kind of like how the Chrome Web Store works for browser extensions. If you’re into automation, you can make Raycast do exactly what you want, whether it’s fetching stock prices, pulling data from APIs, or controlling your workspace with a few keystrokes or commands.

Who Should Use Raycast?

Honestly, anyone who spends a lot of time on their computer.

• Designers: Open tools instantly, convert images, and manage assets without extra steps.
• Developers: Run scripts, search documentation, and manage GitHub issues right from Raycast.
• Writers: Organize notes, grab old clipboard items, access a word counter, and research quicker with its built in AI.
• Teams & Companies: Automate repetitive tasks and create workflows, create an employee index and let your company access the design system (brand colors, fonts, icons).

Final Thoughts

Raycast helps you with tiny tasks that you may find annoying or time consuming. Instead of going between apps, menus, and browser tabs, everything is in one place. The built-in tools are already solid, but the extension marketplace is what makes it something you can customize to fit exactly what you need. If you’re on Mac, it’s worth trying. You’ll probably end up using it more than you expect.

Lastly, a huge shoutout to the design team at Raycast for the incredible experience and branding.
ps: I love the website.