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Raycast Setup and Usage Guide

Raycast is a productivity launcher app that boosts efficiency for macOS users. This guide covers installation, initial setup, and recommended configurations.

Installation

Raycast is installed automatically via Homebrew when running the dotfiles setup:

# Install via Homebrew (included in Brewfile)
brew install --cask raycast

# Or run the full dotfiles setup
cd ~/dotfiles
brew bundle install

Initial Setup

Basic Settings (Settings → General)

1. Set the Hotkey

Set the shortcut key to launch Raycast.

  • Location: Settings → General → Hotkey
  • Recommended: ^ ^ (Press Control twice)

Tip: Many users set this to ⌘ + Space when using it as a Spotlight alternative

2. Show in Menu Bar

Keep the Raycast icon in the menu bar for quick access.

  • Location: Settings → General → Enable "Show Raycast in menu bar"

Extension Hotkey Settings (Settings → Extensions)

Assign shortcuts to frequently used features for instant access.

Function Recommended Hotkeys Purpose
Raycast Notes ⇧ + ⌘ + S Temporary notes for commands, branch names, quick reminders
Clipboard History ⇧ + ⌘ + V Search through clipboard history with keywords

Tip: Clipboard History is incredibly useful because you can search its history. You can find previously copied text using keywords.

Quick Links

Register frequently visited URLs or web services with hotkeys for instant access.

Example Settings

Name URL/App Alias Hotkey
AI Feedback Form Feedback URL ⇧ + ⌘ + F
Open GitHub PR https://github.com/org/repo/pull/{Query} pr

Setup Method

  1. Open Raycast and search for "Create Quicklink"
  2. Enter the name and URL
  3. Assign a hotkey (optional)
  4. Use {Query} placeholder for dynamic values (e.g., PR numbers)

Window Management

Raycast includes built-in window management features for screen splitting and organization.

  • Half Screen: Move windows to left/right/top/bottom half
  • Quarters: Snap windows to screen corners
  • Maximize: Full screen without entering macOS full screen mode
  • Center: Center the active window

Tip: Enable window management in Settings → Extensions → Window Management

Fallback Commands (Settings → Manage Fallback Command)

Configure what happens when Raycast doesn't find a match for your query.

Recommendations:

  • Set a web search as fallback (Google, DuckDuckGo, etc.)
  • Uncheck "Enabled" for extensions you don't use to reduce noise

Raycast AI

Raycast includes AI features for quick consultations and custom commands.

Ask AI

Quickly consult AI via the tab key in Raycast.

Custom AI Commands

Create personalized AI commands for repetitive tasks:

Command Prompt
Branch Naming Generate a Git branch name from the following description. Choose a format below and convert to concise English kebab case: feature/xxx-xxx, fix/xxx-xxx, chore/xxx-xxx, docs/xxx-xxx, refactor/xxx-xxx. Description: {argument}. Output only the Git branch name.
Translation Translate the following text. If Japanese, translate to English. If English, translate to Japanese. Output only the translated text. {selection}
Word Definition Explain the meaning of the following word or phrase concisely. If technical, include software development context. Respond in Japanese. {selection}

Note: AI features require a Raycast Pro subscription or API key configuration. Anthropic's Haiku model is recommended for cost-effective usage (several hundred yen per month).

Recommended Extensions

Install these extensions from the Raycast Store for enhanced productivity.

UUID Generator

  • Purpose: Generate random UUIDs
  • Use Cases:
    • Generating IDs for test accounts
    • Creating test data identifiers

Notion

  • Purpose: Add data directly from Raycast to Notion
  • Use Cases:
    • Instantly save ideas to a database
    • Quickly add tasks

Other Useful Extensions

Extension Description
GitHub Manage repositories, PRs, and issues
Visual Studio Code Open recent projects and files
Slack Search messages and set status
1Password/LastPass Quick password lookup
Brew Manage Homebrew packages
Kill Process Quickly terminate unresponsive apps
System Preferences Jump to specific preference panes
Color Picker Pick colors from anywhere on screen
Calculate Advanced calculations and conversions

Developer Extensions

For developers, these extensions integrate well with the dotfiles workflow:

Extension Description
Docker Manage containers and images
Homebrew Search and install packages
npm Search npm packages
Git Repos Quick access to local repositories
SSH Connections Manage SSH connections
JSON Format Format and validate JSON
Base64 Encode/decode Base64 strings
Regex Tester Test regular expressions

Keyboard Shortcuts Reference

Shortcut Action
⌘ + , Open Raycast Settings
⌘ + K Show available actions
Tab Auto-complete / AI Chat
⌘ + Enter Run in background
⌘ + Shift + Enter Open in new window
Esc Close Raycast
⌘ + [ Go back

Syncing Settings

Raycast Pro users can sync settings across machines:

  1. Go to Settings → Advanced
  2. Enable "Sync Settings"
  3. Sign in with your Raycast account

For non-Pro users, consider exporting your configuration:

  • Settings → Advanced → Export Settings

Troubleshooting

Raycast Not Launching

# Reinstall Raycast
brew reinstall raycast

Hotkey Conflicts

If your hotkey doesn't work:

  1. Check System Preferences → Keyboard → Shortcuts for conflicts
  2. Disable conflicting Spotlight shortcut if using ⌘ + Space

Extensions Not Loading

# Clear Raycast cache
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.raycast.macos

Resources

See Also