# Command Aliases & Hotkeys

> Platforms: Mac, Windows

Instantly activate any Raycast command by setting up custom aliases or assigning hotkeys. Launch your favorite actions with a quick keyword or keyboard shortcut, without searching or breaking your flow.

Aliases and hotkeys let you launch any Raycast command faster. An **alias** is a short keyword you type into Root Search to jump straight to a command. A **hotkey** is a global keyboard shortcut that launches a command from anywhere on your system, even when Raycast isn't open.

## Command Aliases

### What is an Alias?

An alias is a custom short keyword that you assign to a command. When you type the alias into Root Search, the associated command is immediately prioritized in the results. For example, you could set `gc` as an alias for Google Chrome, or `cb` for Clipboard History.

Aliases appear as a small badge next to the command name in Root Search results, so you can always see which commands have aliases assigned.

### How to Set an Alias

There are two ways to assign an alias:

**From the Action Panel**

<Highlight type="new" /> You can now set aliases directly from Root Search without opening Settings.

1. Select a command in Root Search.
2. Press <PlatformKey mac="⌘" windows="Ctrl" /> `,` or open the Action Panel (<PlatformKey mac="⌘" windows="Ctrl" /> `K`) and choose **Configure Command**.
3. Select **Set Alias**.
4. Type your desired alias and press `↵` to save.

**From Settings**

1. Open **Raycast Settings → Shortcuts**.
2. Find the command you want (use the search bar or filters to narrow the list).
3. Click the alias field (shows "Add Alias" as placeholder) and type your alias.
4. Press `↵` or click away to save.

### How Aliases Work in Root Search

Aliases use strict matching in Root Search, which makes them more predictable than regular fuzzy search:

- **Exact match**: Typing the full alias (e.g. `gc`) places the command at the very top of results. This has the highest ranking priority.
- **Prefix match**: Typing the beginning of an alias (e.g. `g` for `gc`) still boosts the command in results, but lower than an exact match.
- **Alias + space**: If a command has arguments, typing the alias followed by a space focuses the first argument field automatically.

> [!TIP]
> Aliases don't use fuzzy matching. They use strict prefix matching, which means they're always predictable. This makes them ideal for muscle-memory workflows.

### Alias Format

- Allowed characters: lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and spaces.
- Aliases are automatically converted to lowercase when saved.
- Spaces in aliases are displayed as `␣` in the UI for clarity (e.g. `go␣compose`).
- Aliases can be single or multi-word.
- Special characters are not supported.

### Changing or Removing an Alias

- **To change**: Edit the alias field (in Settings or via Action Panel → Configure Command → Set Alias) and type the new value.
- **To remove**: Clear the alias field entirely, or use Action Panel → Configure Command → Delete Alias.

Changes take effect immediately. No confirmation dialog or restart needed.

## Hotkeys

### What is a Hotkey?

A hotkey is a global keyboard shortcut that launches a Raycast command from anywhere on your system. Unlike aliases (which require Root Search to be open), hotkeys work even when Raycast is in the background. Press the key combination, and the command runs immediately.

Assigned hotkeys are displayed next to the command name in Root Search when the command is selected, using platform-appropriate symbols.

### How to Set a Hotkey

There are two ways to assign a hotkey:

**From the Action Panel**

<Highlight type="new" /> You can now record hotkeys directly from Root Search without opening Settings.

1. Select a command in Root Search.
2. Press <PlatformKey mac="⌘" windows="Ctrl" /> `,` or open the Action Panel and choose **Configure Command**.
3. Select **Set Hotkey**.
4. The keyboard shortcut recorder opens. Press the key combination you want to assign.
5. The hotkey auto-saves after a short countdown, or press `↵` to save immediately.

**From Settings**

1. Open **Raycast Settings → Shortcuts**.
2. Find the command and click **Record Hotkey**.
3. Press your desired key combination in the recorder popover.
4. Save with `↵` or wait for auto-save.

### The Hotkey Recorder

<Highlight type="new" /> A redesigned, visual keyboard shortcut recorder with auto-save and real-time conflict detection.

When you record a hotkey, a popover appears with a visual key recorder. Here's what you'll see:

- **Real-time key display**: As you press keys, they appear as styled keyboard buttons in the recorder, so you can see exactly what you're recording.
- **Auto-save with countdown**: Once a valid combination is entered, a visual progress bar counts down (~1.5 seconds) before auto-saving. You can press `↵` to save immediately.
- **Conflict warnings**: If the combination conflicts with another command, the recorder highlights in red and shows which command owns the shortcut.
- **Clear button**: Click the `✕` button to remove the current hotkey, or press `Backspace` while recording to clear.

### Supported Key Combinations

A hotkey is typically a modifier key (or combination of modifiers) plus a regular key.

**Modifier Keys**

<Platform platform="mac" />  `⌘`, `⌃`, `⌥`, `⇧`, <Highlight type="new" /> `🌐` Fn (Globe key)

<Platform platform="windows" />  `Ctrl`, `Alt`, `⇧`, `Win`

<Highlight type="new" /> You can switch between left and right modifier keys or select both by clicking on the key in the hotkey recorder. If a left or right modifier is recorded, you will see a small **L** or **R** next to the modifier.

**Regular Keys**

Letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), function keys (F1–F24), punctuation (`. , ; = - [ ] / \`), and special keys (Return/Enter, Tab, Escape, Delete, Arrows, Home, End, Page Up/Down).

### Hotkey Types

<Highlight type="new" /> To give you a wider range of hotkey options we support a few different hotkey types:

#### Single Step

This is when you record your hotkey with one press of each key in the sequence. For example <Platform platform="mac" /> `⌥` `⌘` `A` or `Ctrl` `⇧` `L`.

#### Double-Tap Modifiers

<Highlight type="new" /> You can record a hotkey using a double-tap modifier: just two quick presses of a modifier key. For example you could record a hotkey as <PlatformKey mac="⌘" windows="Ctrl" /> <PlatformKey mac="⌘" windows="Ctrl" />.

#### Single-Tap Fn Key <Platform platform="mac" />

<Highlight type="new" /> The `Fn` (Globe) key can now be used as a standalone hotkey on macOS.

On macOS, you can assign the `Fn` key (shown as `🌐`) as a single-tap hotkey. This means a single press of the Globe key can launch your most-used command, no modifiers needed.

The Fn key can also be combined with other keys for more complex shortcuts, such as `Fn` `A` or `Fn` `Ctrl` `A`.

### Support for International Keyboards

<Highlight type="new" /> You can now choose to record hotkeys as either physical keys or key equivalents, making it easier to switch between different keyboard layouts.

- **Physical Key**: The hotkey stays on the same key position across different layouts. For example, a hotkey recorded with the `Z` key on a QWERTZ keyboard corresponds to the `Y` key on a QWERTY keyboard.
- **Key Equivalent**: The hotkey maps to the same character regardless of layout. For example, a hotkey recorded with `Z` on a QWERTZ keyboard remains `Z` when switched to a QWERTY layout.

By default, all hotkeys are recorded as phyical keys. You can configure this for each key. To do this:

1. Open the hotkey recorder from Settings or via Root Search.
2. Record your hotkey if one is not already set.
3. Click on the key you wish to change.
4. No blue dot on the key means it was recorded as a physical key. A blue dot indicates it was recorded as a key equivalent.

> [!NOTE]
> All built-in Raycast shortcuts use key equivalent keys, and this setting cannot be changed.

### Conflict Detection & Overwrites

<Highlight type="new" /> Improved conflict detection with the ability to overwrite conflicting shortcuts.

The hotkey recorder automatically detects conflicts at two levels:

**Raycast Global Shortcut Conflict**

If you try to assign a combination that's already used as Raycast's main launcher shortcut, you'll see an error: "Already used by Raycast." This type of conflict cannot be overwritten.

**Command Conflict**

If you try to assign a combination already used by another command, the recorder shows the conflicting command's name and icon with a red warning. You have two options:

- **Choose a different combination**: Press new keys to try a different shortcut.
- **Overwrite**: Save the shortcut anyway. The conflicting command loses its hotkey, and your new command takes over. The previous command will need to be reassigned if you still want it to have a hotkey.

### Removing a Hotkey

- Click the `✕` button next to the hotkey display in Settings or the recorder.
- Or open the recorder and press `Backspace` to clear, then save.
- Or use Action Panel → Configure Command → Delete Hotkey.

The hotkey is removed immediately and the global shortcut stops working.

## Managing Aliases & Hotkeys

### The Shortcuts Settings Page

<Highlight type="new" /> You can manage all your aliases and hotkeys from a single place: **Raycast Settings → Shortcuts**.

This page provides:

- **A complete list** of all commands with their aliases and hotkeys visible inline.
- **Search** to quickly find a specific command.
- **Filters** to narrow the view by category (Applications, Extensions, Quicklinks, System Actions, etc.) or by status (*Hotkey Set*, *Alias Set*, *Enabled*, *Disabled*).
- **Inline editing**: Click on any alias or hotkey field to edit it directly in the list.

> [!TIP]
> Use the "Hotkey Set" or "Alias Set" filter to see all commands that already have shortcuts assigned. This is a great way to audit your setup and avoid conflicts.

### Aliases vs. Hotkeys: When to Use Which

Both aliases and hotkeys speed up your workflow, but they serve different purposes:

- **Use an alias** when you want faster access to a command within Raycast. Aliases are great for commands you use often but not constantly: you open Raycast, type 2–3 characters, and you're there. They're easy to remember and you can have many without worrying about conflicts.
- **Use a hotkey** when you want instant access from anywhere on your system without opening Raycast first. Hotkeys are ideal for commands you trigger dozens of times a day, like clipboard history, window management, or your most-used translation pair. Since they're global, keep the number manageable to avoid conflicts.
- **Use both** for commands that you want to access both ways. A command can have an alias and a hotkey at the same time.


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## Need Help?

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