Raycast
Mac command bar with built-in AI — chat, write, translate, and run scripts from any app.
Raycast is a mac command bar with built-in AI — chat, write, translate, and run scripts from any app. Provides a system-wide command bar on macOS that can be triggered from any application via a configurable keyboard shortcut.
About Raycast
Raycast is a macOS command bar with built-in AI that lets you chat, write, translate, and run scripts from any app.
It pairs a system-wide launcher, triggered by a configurable shortcut from any application, with AI features and BYOK support, so you can plug in your own OpenAI or Anthropic API key. A script command mode also runs shell scripts, snippets, and developer workflows straight from the launcher.
It fits macOS and iOS users, including developers, since there is no native Windows or Linux client and the workflow is tied to the macOS ecosystem. The free tier caps monthly AI queries and gates some advanced features behind a paid Pro plan.
Among AI productivity tools it is a launcher-first option, distinct from standalone chat assistants or writing apps.
Sources: this listing
What it does well
- Provides a system-wide command bar on macOS that can be triggered from any application via a configurable keyboard shortcut.
- Includes integrated AI features for chatting, drafting, and translating text without leaving the current app.
- Supports BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) for AI providers including OpenAI and Anthropic, allowing users to use their own API credentials.
- Features a script command mode that executes shell scripts, snippets, and developer workflows directly from the launcher.
Where it falls short
- Available only on macOS and iOS, with no native Windows or Linux desktop client.
- The free tier limits monthly AI queries and some advanced features are gated behind the paid Pro plan.
- Heavy reliance on the macOS ecosystem means switching platforms requires abandoning the workflow.
Tagged
- Bring Your Own Key
- Supports Claude
- Supports GPT
- CLI
- Terminal Execution
- Free
- Freemium
Compared with similar things
Picked by shared tags inside the AI Productivity.
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- 02Freemium →Zed
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- 03Freemium →CrewAI
Open-source framework for orchestrating role-playing multi-agent teams in Python.
- 04Free →Aider
Open-source CLI coding agent that pair-programs in your terminal and commits to git automatically.
- 05Freemium →OpenRouter
Unified API gateway for 200+ LLMs across providers with usage-based billing on a single account.
- 06Freemium →n8n
Open-source workflow automation with native LLM nodes — self-host on your own infrastructure.
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</a>Frequently asked questions
- What is Raycast?
- Raycast is a mac command bar with built-in AI — chat, write, translate, and run scripts from any app.
- Is Raycast free?
- Raycast offers a free tier and paid plans with higher limits or premium features.
- What platforms does Raycast support?
- Raycast runs on mac, ios.
- What category does Raycast belong to?
- Raycast is in the AI Productivity category — AI-powered task trackers, calendars, note tools, and meeting assistants. Helps you do more with less context-switching.
- What are the downsides of Raycast?
- Available only on macOS and iOS, with no native Windows or Linux desktop client. The free tier limits monthly AI queries and some advanced features are gated behind the paid Pro plan. Heavy reliance on the macOS ecosystem means switching platforms requires abandoning the workflow.