Let me give you the highlights of Raycast in a nutshell.

Hi, I'm Seiji. I usually work on web and backend development, and occasionally mobile apps.
I use Raycast and Vim daily for both work and personal tasks.

Today, I'm participating in the [【LAPRAS User Exclusive Event】 Let's Output "LAPRAS Moku Moku Kai" April](https://lapras.connpass.com/event/349259/).

There were many people with interesting backgrounds, and quite a few were using Raycast. This inspired me to share more about Raycast's appeal, so I decided to write this article during the 'Moku Moku Kai' (coding session).

Instead of getting into every detail, I'll give you a quick, enthusiastic overview!

So, let's dive into the appeal of Raycast!

:::note warn
This article has been translated from Japanese to English using Gemini 2.5 Pro in Raycast AI Chat.

[Here is the Japanese article.](https://qiita.com/se_eiji/items/f866bba5f5134e9875e6)
:::

:::note warn
The AI features mentioned in this article currently require a Pro plan.

However, trials are available, so if you're interested, please give it a try.

It might just change your world.

=> Just as I was finishing this article, Raycast released an update.
It seems free users can now use it up to 50 times!!

[New in 1.96: Try out Raycast AI with 50 free messages.](https://x.com/raycastapp/status/1912467777677586610)
:::

:::note info
Raycast is famous for Mac, but it seems a Windows version is also actively under development!
I recently tried the test version, and it replicated an experience very close to the Mac version.

[Raycast for Windows](https://www.raycast.com/windows)
:::

# That time... what was that thing again...
This won't happen anymore.
Whether it's a URL, an image, or anything else, you no longer need to struggle to remember something you copied.

Even if you only vaguely remember it, you can search and find it.

![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/98a002cc-b6a9-4d78-8509-adeb61fa9b60.png)

The retention period options vary depending on the plan. The paid plan offers unlimited history. I believe the free plan is limited to about a week.

# I know it, but typing it is a hassle...
You know those phrases, right? You can register them all as Snippets.
![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/53a030fa-beed-468a-b645-33e8f0d925fb.png)

# I want to do *that*...!
Want to search your Chrome bookmarks? Someone has already made an extension for that. => [Browser Bookmarks](https://www.raycast.com/raycast/browser-bookmarks)

Need to find the color code for something on your screen? There's an extension for that. => [Color Picker](https://www.raycast.com/thomas/color-picker)

Want to use mcp...? => [mcp](https://www.raycast.com/EvanZhouDev/mcp)

If you're facing a problem, try searching if Raycast can solve it – you might find what you need.

You can even manage locally running Docker containers and ports.

There are also extensions for Mac screen recording and screenshots. Isn't it common to forget the shortcuts if you only use them occasionally, or to know the steps but find launching the app tedious?

# If it doesn't exist...
Let's build it! The documentation and development support are solid, so anyone can create one.

Just start with 'Create Extension'.

![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/81c67caa-746f-453f-bcec-430891301621.png)

If you get stuck during implementation, open the [API document](https://developers.raycast.com/),

open the search window with `cmd+k`,

and type in an overview of the extension you want to create.

It will write the code for you (as of April 16, 2025).

![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/d6a8679f-9a8b-4faf-9dce-a896011752f7.png)

![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/0110a5c3-ad19-40f6-9bcf-72b87ae49ae6.png)

Often, you can just copy and paste the code, and it will work. It's recommended to just ask about implementations you don't understand.

# Too many AI models, which one should I use...
You can use them all (with the Pro plan, $20/month).
Gemini 2.5 Pro, ChatGPT 4.1, etc. – you can use about 20 different popular models, including 'that' one everyone's talking about. Unlimited usage. Amazing, right?

# Specifying the prompt every time is...
There's also a feature to register prompts beforehand and recall them.
In fact, commonly used prompts are already prepared for you.
You can make text longer or shorter.

![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/2f569230-5c25-4be3-891f-7928d2058357.png)

# [This site](https://qiita.com/se_eiji/items/36ecd721e5525e2ff129) is long...
Using the summarize feature makes it this short.

![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/09047cc3-8c05-487c-9bf5-cf13cceaefed.png)

![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/58102435-fd50-4b17-b9b5-f2c213441f15.png)

# Opening this or that, all in one motion
Open Terminal? `alt+space`

Open Calendar? `ctl+|`

Open Slack? `ctl+s`

You can open anything with your favorite shortcuts.

You can also set aliases for applications and search for them by text.

# Can't remember the shortcuts...
But you can also search by text.

If you register an alias, searching for that word will trigger the action. Just like a terminal.
![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/08f9ef0b-0289-4b77-a43f-7bef777c8d7a.png)

# Can be used like a terminal too!
With Script Commands, you can run bash, python, node.js, or ruby scripts with a single shortcut.
Even Go, etc., can be specified if you compile them to run via CLI.

Of course, you can also pass arguments.

This might save you the extra step of opening the terminal and typing commands.

# Occasionally, just occasionally
You might want to do numerical calculations, time zone conversions, or currency conversions (especially with the weak Yen changing our perception, right?).
![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/299ad8d3-3d8c-4c29-addb-3bea86f02d88.png)

![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/079dbc19-2231-4c12-b836-7d7386bb3610.png)

![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/d3f4132f-acbd-4768-9d8b-2c79491b8b74.png)

# Want to concentrate...
There's also a feature called Focus. Specify a duration, a goal, and apps/websites to block. When activated, it helps you concentrate until the task is done. It even warns you if you habitually try to open Slack, etc.

Humans might be doing more unproductive things than we realize.

[🎯 New Feature: Stop Unnecessary Notifications and Create Flow with Raycast Focus](https://zenn.dev/raycast_jp/articles/28ed3ec6d7a0fc)

# Setting up Focus is a bit tedious
Then let the AI handle it.

![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/186c75fe-ed4c-4c39-9f9c-2b292cc1359a.png)

![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/91cf19f2-296f-4cd6-a54e-25b9f73c9b4a.png)

![image.png](https://qiita-image-store.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/0/3948850/a79bcf54-c2e3-45eb-943b-f0d3bfa90a1b.png)

# Above all

It's cool. The product is cool, and CTO Thomas ([X](https://x.com/thomaspaulmann)) and Pedro ([X](https://x.com/peduarte)) are cool too.

The UI is cool, and importantly, it's intuitive to operate. It's simple, so you can understand it quickly and apply it in various ways.

Yes, like Vim.

※ Personal opinion.

# For those interested
Try searching, "Can Raycast do this?"

And if it can, give it a try.

If you like it after trying it, please spread the word to those around you.

That's all from a huge Raycast fan.

[Download here](https://www.raycast.com/)