# Quickstart

New to Raycast? Start with this guide to get started with the basics of the app on Mac and Windows.

New to Raycast? Start here. This guide walks you through downloading the app, searching your system, installing an extension, and having your first AI chat.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download Raycast">
    Download Raycast, set your hotkey, then discover your shortcut to everything.
    <Button href="https://www.raycast.com/" icon="Download">
      Download Raycast
    </Button>
    Raycast is available on macOS Tahoe (for V2 Beta), Windows 10 (20H1) or later, and iOS 18 or later.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search Your System">
    Files, folders, and apps are searchable directly from Root Search. Press your Raycast hotkey, start typing, and open what you need instantly without opening Finder or File Explorer.

    Read the [ File Search page](/file-search) for more information.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a Snippet">
    Snippets are your personal library of reusable text, from saved email responses and code blocks to emojis and CLI commands. Open Raycast, type **Create Snippet**, give it a name, and use the keyword to paste snippet in any app.

    Read the [ Snippets page](/snippets) for more information.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install an Extension">
    The Store is home to thousands of community-built extensions covering productivity, developer tools, communication, design, and more. Browse [**Store**](raycast://extensions/raycast/raycast/store) in Raycast or [on the web](https://raycast.com/store), install your favorite extensions, and find it in Root Search alongside your other commands.

    Read the [ Extensions page](/extensions) for more information.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Chat with Raycast AI">
    Raycast AI has two ways you can chat with AI. Press `Tab` from Root Search for **Quick AI**, ideal for fast one-off questions. For longer conversations, open **AI Chat** to ask follow-ups, share attachments, switch models mid-conversation, and pick up where you left off at any time.

    Read the [ Chat page](/ai/chat) for more information.
  </Step>
</Steps>


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## Need Help?

Contact Raycast Support if you have any questions or would like help with Quickstart. Use the **Send Feedback** command directly in Raycast to report bugs and billing issues, log feature requests, or any other queries you would like to speak to us about.

You can view all Raycast Support contact options at https://manual.raycast.com/contact-support