Raycast
Raycast Technologies Ltd. · Keyboard-driven launcher with app and file search, clipboard history, snippets, window management and extensions, plus optional paid AI and cloud features.
About
Raycast is a keyboard-driven launcher and productivity application for searching apps and commands, running shortcuts and accessing tools without repeatedly switching windows. It is intended for developers, knowledge workers and teams that prefer a command-based workflow.
Features and paid boundaries
- Launch applications, search commands and files, calculate values and open Quicklinks.
- Use clipboard history, snippets, calendar commands and built-in window management.
- Install public extensions or create custom extensions and script commands for workflows.
- Use Notes and other productivity commands, subject to free-plan limits.
- Paid Pro plans add AI Chat, agents, AI commands, dictation, cloud sync, themes and other features.
- Custom AI providers and model integrations depend on plan, provider credentials and model availability.
Installation and first use
Install brew install --cask raycast, or use the official Mac download and move Raycast.app into Applications. Launch it, choose a global shortcut and search for an application or command. Settings lets you assign aliases and hotkeys, configure extensions and manage permissions. Grant only the macOS permissions needed for selected features, such as Accessibility for window control or capture permissions for screen-context features. Third-party extensions may need their own applications, service accounts, API keys or scripting tools.
Requirements, platforms and dependencies
The current production cask selects Raycast2.7.1.0 for64-bit Apple Silicon. It provides older1.x versions for some older macOS systems and Intel Macs; those variants do not prove that the latest2.x build supports Intel or those older operating systems. The current default cask has no numeric macOS minimum in its raw dependency field, so an exact latest2.x OS minimum is not asserted here without a separate upstream requirement. Confirm the compatible download for your machine through Raycast's official installation guidance. No fixed RAM or installed-storage minimum was verified. Current ARM64DMG download size is141,496,413 bytes.
Raycast also publishes Windows and iOS offerings, with separate features and changelogs. They are not interchangeable with this Mac cask. No official Linux distribution was confirmed in the retrieved website navigation and press materials. The cask declares no extra formula dependency. Network access is required for cloud services and extension downloads; local commands have their own dependencies.
Conflicts and installation details
Homebrew declares no named cask conflict. A manual Raycast.app can occupy the same Applications path. Another launcher or macOS shortcut using the same hotkey can intercept it; choose a non-overlapping combination. macOS Secure Input can interfere with snippet expansion and Hyper Key, and Raycast documents diagnostic warnings for it. Clipboard capture, file indexing and app control may depend on permissions and on how the source application responds. Optional Homebrew zap removes configuration, application support, preferences, caches and browser-extension data; preserve required settings and local content first.
Accounts, costs and license
Raycast's application is proprietary software governed by its terms of service; an open-source public-extension repository is not a source license for the whole app. The free individual and Team plans can be used personally and organizationally. The current free plan includes core commands and extensions but limits clipboard history to three months and Notes to five notes. Free Team sharing has separate limits. Paid Pro plans include AI credits and additional features; higher model tiers and usage may require a higher plan or credit top-ups. BYOK is a paid-plan feature in the current comparison and can incur provider charges. Accounts are needed for subscriptions, cloud sync and team sharing. Consult current pricing and terms before purchasing; a free installation is not unlimited AI access.
Official references
New What’s new in 2.7.1.0 From Homebrew commits
This release has no separate notes.