Feature request: launch app

[seanfarley]

A feature I'm really missing is the ability to launch an application with a keyboard shortcut

[BrianGilbert]

Try Hammerspoon http://www.hammerspoon.org/

[seanfarley]

I could also use the feature in quicksilver. My real question here is to see if @tekezo thinks this is out of scope for Karabiner-Elements or not.

[JakeSc]

Launcher Mode was an amazing feature in Karabiner, and one upon which I relied quite heavily.

This feature allows the user to switch to applications by holding o and pressing an associated key.
Examples:

• o+x: Launch Xcode
• o+t: Launch Terminal
• o+xx: Launch Simulator
• o+c: Launch Chrome
• o+a: Launch Activity Monitor

Is there planned support for Launcher Mode in Karabiner-Elements?

[nikitavoloboev]

This is crucial for m�����e. Hope it is added soon.

[JakeSc]

I figured it out! I'm using Hammerspoon to recreate a "Launcher Mode". First, I instructed Karabiner-Elements to map right_command to f19, and then I built a Hammerspoon-based Launcher Mode around f19. I use right-cmd + T for Terminal, for example. See my config file here:

https://github.com/JakeSc/dotfiles/blob/master/hammerspoon/init.lua

[dunkarooftop]

Hello, @JakeSc
I am wondering if you can cook up something for being able to chain more then 1 character after the special modifier key like hyper + x, y or even hyper + x, y, z in hammerspoon.

much appercitaed

[bindiry]

Launcher Mode is better than any other software, It's really awesome!

[stale]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.

[jzk]

FYI. I switched to use https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thor/id1120999687 instead

[tekezo]

You can use shell_command.
https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/json.html#typical-complex_modifications-examples-open-alfred-when-escape-is-held-down

[lukelbd]

Just to help my fellow googlers: this is what you add to your ~/.config/karabiner/karabiner.json file, as an entry under the rules: list:

 "rules": [
    {
        "description": "Open Google Chrome",
        "manipulators": [
                {
                    "type": "basic",
                    "from": {
                        "key_code": "g",
                        "modifiers": {
                            "mandatory": [
                                "command",
                                "control"
                            ],
                            "optional": [
                                "caps_lock"
                            ]
                        }
                    },
                "to": [
                    {
                        "shell_command": "open -a 'Google Chrome.app'"
                    }
                ]
                }
        ]
    },

In this case, I'm mapping Cmd+Ctrl+g to open Google Chrome. On Mac, this can also be done with an Automator "service" script, but I've found that is generally really laggy. Also my Keyboard Shortcut "Services" section in System Prefs is really buggy/slow to modify. Shortcuts defined with Karabiner seem to be pretty much instantaneous.

[JakeSc]

For people searching for this, I built a small utility app inspired by the awesomeness that was Launcher Mode. Check it out here: https://switchfaster.com/

Basically it uses right-command + (any other hotkey) to launch or switch to the given app. You can also switch the trigger key to use right-option as well. Let me know if you have some feedback, I'd love to hear it!

[nikitavoloboev]

I define my own launcher modes with goku.

i.e. here is w key being used as launcher mode to launch apps.

[ZYinMD]

Not sure what the current status of this issue is. For those of you who use the shell_command solution, e.g. open -a 'Google Chrome.app', it's slower than native app switching. If you use something like Keyboard Maestro to set a hotkey to switch to Chrome, you'll see the difference.

Keyboard Maestro actually has two types of actions, "activate an app" and "open an app", and if you choose the latter for something like "open chrome", it'll show a warning and recommend you use the former "because it's faster".

I'm not sure which step in the shell_command method is slow - the shell executing a command, or the command launching an app (presumably using a different API than mouse clicking on dock), or both.

[patrickwerz]

Not sure what the current status of this issue is. For those of you who use the shell_command solution, e.g. open -a 'Google Chrome.app', it's slower than native app switching. If you use something like Keyboard Maestro to set a hotkey to switch to Chrome, you'll see the difference.

Keyboard Maestro actually has two types of actions, "activate an app" and "open an app", and if you choose the latter for something like "open chrome", it'll show a warning and recommend you use the former "because it's faster".

I'm not sure which step in the shell_command method is slow - the shell executing a command, or the command launching an app (presumably using a different API than mouse clicking on dock), or both.

I have an M1 and the app launches instantly. I used SpaceLauncher which wasn't faster. How are apps like hammerspoon faster?