Productivity Apps Setup

Configure Raycast, HyperKey, SuperWhisper and other essential productivity apps that transform how you work on Mac

Productivity Apps Setup

Productivity applications for Mac development.

Key apps: Raycast (launcher), HyperKey (keyboard modifier), and SuperWhisper (voice input).

Raycast - Command Center for Everything

Raycast is an application launcher and command palette that can launch apps, manage processes, control clipboard, run scripts, and integrate with developer tools.

Features

Raycast is a command palette for macOS that replaces Spotlight.

Installation

brew install --cask raycast

Or download from raycast.com

Initial Setup

1. Disable Spotlight to free up Cmd+Space:

   • System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Spotlight
   • Uncheck “Show Spotlight search”

2. Set Raycast Hotkey:

   • Open Raycast Preferences
   • Set hotkey to Cmd+Space

Useful extensions: GitHub (repo management), Kill Process (port management), Clipboard History, Coffee (prevent sleep).

Essential Extensions to Install

Open Raycast and search for these in the Extension Store:

Development Extensions

• GitHub - Search repos, create issues, view PRs
• Linear - Task management
• Kill Process - Find and kill any process
• Port Manager - Kill processes by port
• Brew - Install/update packages
• npm Search - Search npm packages

Productivity Extensions

• Clipboard History - Never lose copied text
• Window Management - Snap windows with keyboard
• System - Control system settings
• Coffee - Prevent your Mac from sleeping
• Color Picker - Grab colors from anywhere
• Quick Event - Create calendar events

Utility Extensions

• Calculate - Quick calculations
• Timezone Converter - Convert times
• Lorem Ipsum - Generate placeholder text
• URL Shortener - Shorten links
• Search Emoji - Find emoji by name

Common Commands

Press Cmd+Space to open Raycast, then type any command:

Command	What It Does
kill [app]	Force quit any application
kill port 3000	Kill process on specific port
ip	Show your IP addresses
empty trash	Empty trash without confirmation
quit all apps	Close everything at once
restart	Restart your Mac
sleep	Put Mac to sleep
lock	Lock screen immediately
caffeinate	Prevent sleep temporarily (requires Coffee extension)
eject all	Eject all drives

You can create custom scripts in any language (bash, Python, Node.js) for Raycast to run.

Custom Scripts

Create your own commands. Example: Kill all Docker containers

1. Create Script: Raycast → Create Script Command
2. Add this bash script:

#!/bin/bash
# @raycast.title Kill All Docker Containers
# @raycast.mode silent
# @raycast.packageName Docker
# @raycast.icon 🐳

docker kill $(docker ps -q)
docker rm $(docker ps -aq)
echo "All Docker containers killed and removed"

Quicklinks

Set up quick web searches:

1. Raycast Preferences → Extensions → Quicklinks
2. Add these useful ones:

Name	URL	Keyword
NPM	https://www.npmjs.com/search?q={query}	npm
GitHub	https://github.com/search?q={query}	gh
MDN	https://developer.mozilla.org/search?q={query}	mdn
Stack Overflow	https://stackoverflow.com/search?q={query}	so

HyperKey - Unlock Your Caps Lock

HyperKey turns Caps Lock into a “Hyper” modifier (Cmd+Option+Ctrl+Shift), providing additional keyboard shortcuts without conflicts.

Features

Converts Caps Lock into a modifier key (Cmd+Option+Ctrl+Shift) for additional shortcuts.

Installation

Download from hyperkey.app (Free)

Setup

1. Launch HyperKey
2. Grant accessibility permissions when prompted
3. Caps Lock is now your Hyper key!

After installing HyperKey, Caps Lock becomes the Hyper key. Use System Settings or Raycast to assign Hyper+[key] combinations.

Configure System Shortcuts

System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → App Shortcuts

Add these global shortcuts:

Application	Menu Title	Shortcut
All Applications	Minimize	Hyper+M
All Applications	Zoom	Hyper+Z
Terminal	New Window	Hyper+T
Finder	New Finder Window	Hyper+F
Safari	New Window	Hyper+B

Raycast + HyperKey Integration

Start with Cmd+Space for everything. Add HyperKey shortcuts later for frequently used items.

Once you’re comfortable with Raycast, set up direct shortcuts:

1. In Raycast preferences → Extensions → Search for any command
2. Click the hotkey field next to the command
3. Press Hyper + [your chosen key]

Recommended shortcuts to set up (after you’re comfortable):

Extension/App	Hotkey	Purpose
Clipboard History	Hyper+V	Quick paste from history
VS Code	Hyper+C	Open VS Code instantly
Terminal	Hyper+T	New terminal window
Browser	Hyper+B	Open browser
GitHub	Hyper+G	GitHub search
Slack	Hyper+S	Switch to Slack

SuperWhisper - Voice to Text Everywhere

SuperWhisper uses OpenAI’s Whisper model for accurate transcription, including technical terms. Works offline with custom vocabulary support.

Features

AI-powered transcription using Whisper model, works in any application.

Installation

Download from superwhisper.com (Free version available, Pro upgrade optional)

Setup

1. Launch SuperWhisper
2. Grant microphone and accessibility permissions
3. Set activation to Hyper+Space
4. Choose your mode:
   • Fast Mode - Quick transcription
   • Super Mode - Higher accuracy (recommended)

Recommended settings: Enable auto-paste, use Super Mode for technical accuracy, add project vocabulary to custom words.

Configuration

Preferences to set:

• Auto-paste: Enable (types transcription automatically)
• Sound effects: Disable (less distraction)
• Show window: Minimal
• Language: English (or your preference)
• Custom words: Add technical terms, project names

Use Cases

• Code comments: Explain complex logic naturally
• Git commits: Describe changes conversationally
• Documentation: Write docs 3x faster
• Slack/Email: Reply without typing
• Search queries: Speak instead of type

Pro Tips

• End sentences with punctuation words: “period”, “comma”, “question mark”
• Say “new line” or “new paragraph” for formatting
• Use for brainstorming - speak thoughts then edit

Bonus: Proxyman - Network Debugging

Use Proxyman for debugging APIs, analyzing network performance, and inspecting app data transmission.

Features

Intercept, inspect, and modify HTTP/HTTPS requests for API debugging.

Installation

brew install --cask proxyman

Key Features

• SSL Proxying: Decrypt HTTPS traffic
• Request/Response Inspector: See headers, body, cookies
• Breakpoints: Pause and modify requests
• Map Local/Remote: Replace responses with local files
• Multiple Filters: By domain, method, status code
• GraphQL Support: Parse and inspect GraphQL queries

Developer Use Cases

1. API Debugging:

   • See exact request/response data
   • Identify failed requests
   • Check authentication headers

2. Performance Analysis:

   • Find slow endpoints
   • Monitor request waterfalls
   • Identify unnecessary calls

3. Testing:

   • Mock API responses
   • Test error handling
   • Simulate slow networks

Setup: Install SSL certificate, enable proxy to start capturing traffic.

Quick Setup

1. Install Proxyman certificate for SSL decryption
2. Enable proxy on your device/simulator
3. Start capturing traffic
4. Use filters to focus on your app

Pro Tips

• Use Pin to keep important requests visible
• Create Presets for common debugging scenarios
• Use Diff to compare requests
• Enable Block List to hide noisy requests

Quick Reference Card

These apps work together: Raycast for launching, HyperKey for shortcuts, SuperWhisper for voice input, Proxyman for network debugging.

Daily Workflow with These Apps

Morning Start:

1. Cmd+Space (Raycast) → Launch any app instantly
2. Hyper+V (Clipboard History) → Access paste history
3. Check Proxyman for overnight API errors

During Development:

1. Cmd+Space → Type app name or command (use for everything initially)
2. Cmd+Space → kill port 3000 → Kill stuck server
3. Hyper+Space (SuperWhisper) → Dictate code comments
4. Once comfortable: Hyper+G → Quick GitHub search (after setting up shortcut)
5. Proxyman → Debug API calls in real-time

Quick Actions (start with Cmd+Space for all):

• Cmd+Space → “terminal” → Open Terminal
• Cmd+Space → “finder” → Open Finder
• Cmd+Space → “calendar” → Check calendar
• Cmd+Space → Any app or command

After you’re comfortable (optional shortcuts):

• Hyper+T → Terminal (set up in Raycast hotkeys)
• Hyper+C → VS Code (set up in Raycast hotkeys)
• Hyper+G → GitHub (set up in Raycast hotkeys)

Maintenance:

• Check Proxyman for unexpected network calls
• Use Raycast to manage running processes

Installation Script

Save as install-productivity.sh:

#!/bin/bash

echo "Installing productivity apps..."

# Install via Homebrew
brew install --cask \
  raycast \
  proxyman

echo "Homebrew apps installed!"
echo ""
echo "Manual installations needed:"
echo "1. HyperKey: https://hyperkey.app (Free)"
echo "2. SuperWhisper: https://superwhisper.com (Free version available)"
echo ""
echo "Configuration steps:"
echo "1. Disable Spotlight hotkey in System Settings"
echo "2. Set Raycast to Cmd+Space"
echo "3. Configure HyperKey shortcuts"
echo "4. Set SuperWhisper to Hyper+Space"

Summary

• Raycast: Application launcher and command palette
• SuperWhisper: Voice transcription
• HyperKey: Additional keyboard shortcuts
• Proxyman: Network debugging

All tools have free versions available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install all these apps?

No, start with Raycast as it provides the most immediate productivity boost. Add HyperKey if you want more keyboard shortcuts, SuperWhisper if you prefer voice input, and Proxyman when you need to debug network requests.

Will Raycast slow down my Mac?

No, Raycast is incredibly lightweight and actually faster than Spotlight. It uses minimal RAM and CPU, with most extensions running on-demand only when you invoke them.

Can I use my existing Spotlight shortcuts with Raycast?

Yes! Just disable Spotlight’s Cmd+Space shortcut in System Settings, then set Raycast to use Cmd+Space. All your muscle memory transfers instantly.

What if I accidentally trigger Caps Lock while typing?

HyperKey has a built-in delay - quick taps still work as Escape (or can be disabled entirely), while holding it activates the Hyper modifier. You can adjust the timing in HyperKey preferences.

Does SuperWhisper work offline?

Yes! SuperWhisper can work completely offline using the built-in models. The offline mode is perfect for privacy-sensitive content or when you’re without internet.

Can SuperWhisper transcribe technical jargon and code?

Yes, SuperWhisper handles technical terms well, especially in Super Mode. You can also add custom vocabulary for project-specific terms, function names, or domain language.

Will Proxyman intercept all my traffic?

Only when you explicitly enable it. Proxyman doesn’t run in the background by default. When active, you can use filters to capture only specific apps or domains.

Can I sync Raycast extensions across multiple Macs?

Yes! Sign in with your Raycast account and your extensions, preferences, and snippets sync automatically across all your devices.

Are there alternatives to these apps?

Yes - Alfred instead of Raycast, Karabiner-Elements instead of HyperKey, Whisper Transcription instead of SuperWhisper, and Charles Proxy instead of Proxyman. We recommend our choices for their simplicity and developer focus.

How much disk space do these apps use?

Minimal - Raycast (~100MB), HyperKey (~10MB), SuperWhisper (~500MB with models), Proxyman (~150MB). Together they’re less than 1GB, a tiny footprint for massive productivity gains.

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