Tech Watch: Raycast is finally on Windows, and it totally changed how I use my PC

{"title": "Raycast Launches on Windows, Transforming Computer Interaction for Users", "body": ["Raycast, a leading productivity tool originally designed for Mac users, made its debut on Windows last month. This versatile application functions as a keyboard-driven multitool for managing computer tasks. Users can activate it via a shortcut—Alt + Space on Windows or Option + Space on Mac—to search for files, start applications, browse the web, and perform other actions all through one input field."], ["Although Apple's Spotlight offers comparable features on macOS, Raycast provides greater capabilities and adaptability, now extending to Windows systems. The core features remain free, while a paid subscription unlocks device synchronization and select AI functionalities."], ["Raycast may seem challenging initially, but it quickly becomes an essential asset for efficient computing. The following examples illustrate its practical applications in daily use."], ["This piece originally appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Readers can subscribe for similar insights every Tuesday."], ["Among its tools, Raycast's integrated calculator stands out as a frequently used feature. Users can input mathematical expressions directly and receive instant results without leaving the keyboard, with the Enter key automatically copying the output to the clipboard for seamless integration—far quicker than launching a dedicated calculator."], ["Even with a well-structured file system, accessing specific documents or directories via Raycast outpaces navigation in File Explorer. The application's Quicklinks capability further enhances this by simplifying access to preferred files and folders."], ["After creating a Quicklink, users can affix it to Raycast's primary interface, enabling custom keyboard triggers or streamlined discovery in search outputs. For instance, pinning folders like Downloads and work-related images ensures they are reachable in just a few key presses."], ["While macOS Sequoia introduces clipboard history, Raycast's implementation surpasses it. Accessible via a personalized shortcut without invoking the main interface, it supports plain text pasting, searchable archives, and visual previews of copied images. This has led some to adopt it over Windows' native clipboard tools."], ["Exploring clipboard history introduces Raycast's Hotkeys system, allowing direct actions bypassing the central window. Configurations include mapping the clipboard to Ctrl + V on macOS and Windows key + V on Windows."], ["The Snippets function in Raycast expands brief text inputs into full passages, reducing repetition. Setup occurs through the straightforward Create Snippet interface, where the content defines the expansion and a keyword initiates it."], ["Previously, the free Windows tool Beeftext served this role, but development has ceased, and it lacks Mac support. Raycast's version adds searchability, aiding recall of specific triggers."], ["Adopting an ultrawide display often involves frequent window adjustments for split views. Raycast simplifies this with keyboard-based resizing commands, such as centering Obsidian for focused writing or dividing the screen 33.3%/66.6% between it and a browser during research."], ["This functionality ties into Command Aliases, which shorten inputs for executing tasks. Examples include 'LT' to position an app on the left third of the screen and 'RTT' for the right two-thirds."], ["Checking calendar events typically requires excessive navigation, but Raycast's Google Calendar extension delivers fast access to schedules."], ["Numerous third-party extensions expand Raycast's utility, accessible by entering 'Store' in the app to browse free add-ons. The Google Calendar option is a prime example."], ["Command bar applications like Raycast represent a growing trend in productivity software. Apple has enhanced Spotlight in macOS Sequoia to rival it, while Microsoft integrates a similar Command Palette in the free PowerToys utility. AI-focused apps from ChatGPT for Mac and Google for Windows also incorporate this interface style."], ["As AI assistants like ChatGPT gain popularity, users increasingly favor verbal or textual commands over manual navigation. Mastering Raycast makes traditional methods feel inefficient by comparison."], ["This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get tech advice like this every Tuesday."], ["Jared has worked as a freelance technology journalist for over 15 years, contributing regularly to PCWorld, Fast Company, and TechHive, including a weekly cord-cutting column since 2014. His Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter boasts more than 30,000 subscribers, and Advisorator reaches nearly 10,000 readers weekly. Holding a master's in journalism from NYU, he excels at demystifying complex tech subjects, from streaming services to innovative apps and handy shortcuts. He resides in Cincinnati, OH."]}