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Productivity Apps Setup

Productivity applications for Mac development.
Key apps: Raycast (launcher), HyperKey (keyboard modifier), and SuperWhisper (voice input).

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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.

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Features

Raycast is a command palette for macOS that replaces Spotlight.

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Installation

brew install --cask raycast
Or download from raycast.com

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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).

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Essential Extensions to Install

Open Raycast and search for these in the Extension Store:

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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

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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

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Utility Extensions

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

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Common Commands

Press Cmd+Space to open Raycast, then type any command:
CommandWhat It Does
kill [app]Force quit any application
kill port 3000Kill process on specific port
ipShow your IP addresses
empty trashEmpty trash without confirmation
quit all appsClose everything at once
restartRestart your Mac
sleepPut Mac to sleep
lockLock screen immediately
caffeinatePrevent sleep temporarily (requires Coffee extension)
eject allEject all drives
You can create custom scripts in any language (bash, Python, Node.js) for Raycast to run.

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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"
Set up quick web searches:
  1. Raycast Preferences → Extensions → Quicklinks
  2. Add these useful ones:
NameURLKeyword
NPMhttps://www.npmjs.com/search?q={query}npm
GitHubhttps://github.com/search?q={query}gh
MDNhttps://developer.mozilla.org/search?q={query}mdn
Stack Overflowhttps://stackoverflow.com/search?q={query}so

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HyperKey - Unlock Your Caps Lock

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

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Features

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

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Installation

Download from hyperkey.app (Free)

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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.

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Configure System Shortcuts

System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → App Shortcuts Add these global shortcuts:
ApplicationMenu TitleShortcut
All ApplicationsMinimizeHyper+M
All ApplicationsZoomHyper+Z
TerminalNew WindowHyper+T
FinderNew Finder WindowHyper+F
SafariNew WindowHyper+B

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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/AppHotkeyPurpose
Clipboard HistoryHyper+VQuick paste from history
VS CodeHyper+COpen VS Code instantly
TerminalHyper+TNew terminal window
BrowserHyper+BOpen browser
GitHubHyper+GGitHub search
SlackHyper+SSwitch to Slack

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SuperWhisper - Voice to Text Everywhere

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

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Features

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

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Installation

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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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Bonus: Proxyman - Network Debugging

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

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Features

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

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Installation

brew install --cask proxyman

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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Quick Reference Card

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

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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

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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"

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Summary

  • Raycast: Application launcher and command palette
  • SuperWhisper: Voice transcription
  • HyperKey: Additional keyboard shortcuts
  • Proxyman: Network debugging
All tools have free versions available.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.
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.
Yes! Just disable Spotlight’s Cmd+Space shortcut in System Settings, then set Raycast to use Cmd+Space. All your muscle memory transfers instantly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes! Sign in with your Raycast account and your extensions, preferences, and snippets sync automatically across all your devices.
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.
Minimal - Raycast (~100MB), HyperKey (~10MB), SuperWhisper (~500MB with models), Proxyman (~150MB). Together they’re less than 1GB, a tiny footprint for massive productivity gains.
Next: Terminal Aliases & Functions