Is Raycast free to use?

Yes, the core feature set is free for personal use and includes thousands of community extensions. Paid Pro plans add AI features, cloud sync, dictation, and more.

Can I use Raycast on Windows?

Yes, Raycast is available in public beta for Windows. There are currently no plans for Linux.

What data does Raycast track?

Raycast respects privacy and only tracks anonymous usage statistics and error reports to improve the product. No sensitive data is collected.

How do the AI credits work?

AI credits measure usage across different models. Each paid plan includes a monthly credit allowance. Cheaper models cost fewer credits. You can also bring your own API keys.

Can I build my own extensions?

Absolutely. The extension API uses a React-based framework with a UI component library, strong typing, and hot-reloading. You can publish your extensions to the Raycast Store.

What is 'Screen Awareness' in Raycast AI?

It's a feature that allows the AI agent to understand the context of your active application window, enabling it to perform actions or generate content based on what you're viewing.

Directory/Productivity/AI Assistants/Raycast

Raycast

Raycast is a blazing-fast, extensible productivity launcher for macOS and Windows that replaces your default system search. It serves as a central command palette for your apps, files, and web services, letting you control your workflow without leaving the keyboard. Core capabilities include a clipboard manager, text expander (snippets), window manager, quicklinks, and a built-in AI assistant. It features a massive store of third-party extensions for tools like Jira, GitHub, and Spotify, enabling deep integrations. Developers can build custom extensions using a React-based API and TypeScript. Raycast is designed for power users, developers, and founders who want to eliminate friction. The free tier includes essential tools, while paid plans unlock AI features, advanced models, cloud sync, and team collaboration.

Productivity

Visit website

Added on

Sep 21, 2026

macOS LauncherExtension StoreClipboard ManagerWindow ManagementAI ChatSnippetsHotkeysCross-platform (Win beta)Developer API

Product information

Everything worth knowing about Raycast

The complete picture — from everyday features to the technical detail builders and IT folks dig for.

Core features

What it actually does

Clipboard History & Snippets

Track copied text, images, files, and colors. Create and insert snippets by typing a keyword.

Window Management

Arrange windows into halves, quarters, or custom layouts with keyboard commands.

Extension Store

Install thousands of community-built extensions for apps like GitHub, Jira, Spotify, and more.

Raycast AI

Access AI chat, quick commands, and agents to summarize, draft, search, and automate tasks with your favorite tools.

Quicklinks & Hotkeys

Launch apps, URLs, or commands instantly with custom hotkeys or alias keywords.

Technical capabilities

Cross-Platform Extension API

Develop and publish extensions using React and TypeScript with a strongly typed API, hot-reloading, and a built-in UI component library.

OAuth & Secure Keychain Storage

Extensions authenticate with third-party services via OAuth, and credentials are stored in the user's local Keychain.

Must watch videos

27:00

Tutorial27:00

Everyone was right about Raycast

Thanks to Monarch for partnering with me! Start your free trial and get 50% off your first year of total money clarity using my link https://monarchmoney.yt.link/LrySdT7 or code robles50 for 50% Off Monarch Core tier. --- I finally gave Raycast a real chance, and it's incredible. Here's my full setup, hotkeys, aliases, extensions, clipboard, snippets, window management, and my ONE concern about Raycast version 2. ⭐️ 50% OFF my Shortcuts community! https://shortcut.bot/ios27app 📲 Get Kan Do my new Task app https://shortcut.bot/kan-do 🚀 Get Raycast https://www.raycast.com Raycast 2.0 Info https://www.raycast.com/blog/a-technical-deep-dive-into-the-new-raycast 🔋Mac Power Users Podcast https://relay.fm/mpu 🎙️ My tech podcast @PrimaryTechShow https://primarytech.fm 💻 My Creator Tech Stack Circle Community Platform https://try.circle.so/beardfm Gling.ai Video Editor https://gling.ai/?via=stephen-robles Transistor.fm Podcast Host https://transistor.fm/?via=beardfm Riverside.fm Podcast Recording https://riverside.partnerlinks.io/beardfm 📲 My Favorite iPhone Accessories Best MagSafe Battery https://geni.us/3ZJyCX AirPods Pro 3 https://geni.us/Ui9iIw Best HomeKit Lock with Home Key UWB https://geni.us/3If3NI 25W MagSafe Car Charger https://geni.us/WOBFRW Favorite 3-in-1 MagSafe Charger https://geni.us/4PBW1w My 3-in-1 Travel Charger https://geni.us/fDRule AirPods 4 with ANC https://geni.us/f5xhUl0 Multi USB-C Charger with Find My https://geni.us/qHAMwS Favorite Power Bank with Built-In Cable https://geni.us/KcDLzl Car Charger with Retractable Cable https://geni.us/DUeO 🌎 Follow me on: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenrobles.com Threads: https://threads.net/@stephenrobles Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephenrobles Chapters ➡ 00:00 Intro 00:44 Spotlight vs Raycast 01:26 Learning and Speed 03:28 Keyboard Shortcuts 04:00 Clipboard History 05:08 Snippets 07:02 Setting Preferences 08:01 Sponsor: Monarch 09:41 Using Hyperkey 11:40 Aliases and Shortcuts 12:41 Custom Search Commands 14:08 App Extensions 19:21 Customize Results 20:24 Window Management 22:40 Pricing and Future 23:17 One Concern 24:50 Raycast iPhone App 🛒 My Film Gear: Sony A7C II (B-Roll Camera) https://geni.us/klZFL Sony 24mm GM f1.4 (B-Roll Lens) https://geni.us/xbapXjH Sony A7 IV (A-Roll Camera) https://geni.us/PA1Qd (Amazon) Sigma 35mm (Main Lens) https://geni.us/YqQpgtx (Amazon) Sennhesier MKH416 (Video Mic) https://geni.us/VxF1g (Amazon) Aputure Amaran 200x (Key Light) https://geni.us/2KY3GV (Amazon) Light Dome III (Soft Box) https://geni.us/Rt08x (Amazon) Earthworks Ethos (Podcast Mic) https://geni.us/X7xC (Amazon) Podcast Mic Arm https://geni.us/5ydF0HM (Amazon) Sony a6400 (Top Down Camera) https://geni.us/VOyRX (Amazon) Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 (Top Down Lens) https://geni.us/lkuYqbH (Amazon) Elgato Key Light Air (Fill and Hair Lights) https://geni.us/UetzsS (Amazon) ATEM Mini Pro (My Switcher) https://geni.us/Dgiymx2 (Amazon) Rodecaster PRO II (Powers All Mics) https://geni.us/uMHZGgi (Amazon) Sound Devices MixPre-3 (Travel Sound Gear) https://geni.us/Nb6A4zo (Amazon) DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Other links to third-party products and services may also be affiliate links.

7:22

Tutorial7:22

You're sleeping on Raycast AI

Raycast AI Chat now has memory, it can code for you and work with your files, it can see your screen, and it's even more optimized to work on long chats with. All of this with models from the best providers, under one subscription. You might have been sleeping on it! Download Raycast → http://www.raycast.com/ Check out the new Raycast Manual → https://manual.raycast.com/ Sign up for a free trial → http://www.raycast.com/pro

4:10

Tutorial4:10

Raycast AI for free

A free taster of all Raycast AI has to offer is now available for all users. If you're not a Pro subscriber yet, start your 14-day free trial → https://ray.so/free-trial Download Raycast → https://raycast.com Follow Raycast → https://twitter.com/raycastapp

Who uses it

Real use cases, no hype

Developer Productivity

Supercharge coding workflows with deep integrations for GitHub, Jira, CI/CD, and custom scripts without leaving the keyboard.

Power User Automation

Automate repetitive tasks with custom extensions, snippets, and quicklinks. Build and share your own tools via the store.

System-Wide Window Management

Arrange windows with keyboard shortcuts. Tiling, snapping, and custom layouts for multitasking pros.

AI-Powered Assistance

Use AI agents for text generation, code completion, summarization, and connecting various SaaS tools contextually.

Team Collaboration

Share private extensions, snippets, and quicklinks across your organization with centralized management.

Clipboard and Snippet Management

Never lose copied text, images, or code. Create expandable snippets for frequently used strings.

What's great

Blazing fast, native macOS feel
Massive extension ecosystem (thousands)
Powerful AI integration across the OS
Seamless window management and text expansion

Technical strengths

Highly extensible with a modern React-based API
Cross-platform (macOS, Windows) with a shared codebase

Where it falls short

Core AI features locked behind a paywall
Free tier has limited clipboard history (3 months)
No official Linux support

Technical limitations

Advanced AI models only in higher-tier plans (Plus/Max)
Enterprise features (SAML/SCIM, IP allow-list) require custom pricing

For technical folks

The deep-dive specs

FAQ

Includes technical Q&A

Raycast is a much deeper productivity layer. It combines launcher, clipboard manager, text expander, window manager, and a rich extension ecosystem with native integrations for services like Jira and GitHub, all with a focus on keyboard-driven fluid UX.