Beacon 1.0.5

Beacon 1.0.5 - a fast, native macOS search launcher.

Install

1. Download Beacon-1.0.5.dmg below and open it.
2. Double-click Beacon. That's it - it installs itself into Applications,
   relaunches from there, and opens the search bar with a quick hotkey tip.
   (Dragging to the Applications folder still works too, if you prefer.)
3. Press Option + S anywhere to open the search bar. Press Esc to dismiss.
   Beacon lives in the menu bar (its beacon icon) - no Dock icon or main window.

This build is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens
without security warnings.

Search your text messages (optional)

Beacon can search your iMessage & SMS history. macOS protects the Messages
database, so this needs Full Disk Access (a one-time, manual toggle that
Apple requires for any app reading Messages):

1. In Beacon, press Option + S and click the Messages filter.
2. Click Open Settings - this jumps straight to
   System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Full Disk Access.
3. Find Beacon in the list and turn its switch on.
   (Beacon adds itself to this list automatically - no need for the "+" button.)
4. Choose Quit & Reopen when prompted.

Now select the Messages filter and search by word, phrase, or contact.
Return opens the conversation in Messages; Cmd + C copies the text.

The same Full Disk Access toggle also unlocks Notes and Safari
history. (Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc history work without it.)

File search needs no permissions and works the moment you launch Beacon.
Full Disk Access only unlocks Messages, Notes, Safari history, and a few
protected folders.

Highlights

• Unified "All" search - the All tab blends files & apps, messages, and
  notes into one grouped, ranked list. Chips included in All show a small dot;
  Clipboard and History are opt-in via their own chips.
• Recents that actually works - the Recents filter shows files you've
  opened, saved, or added recently, including fresh images/videos/downloads,
  while filtering out app internals, caches, folders, and other Finder noise.
  Type to narrow within the recent-files timeline.
• Clipboard history - everything you copy is captured locally and
  searchable under the Clipboard filter. Return copies it back, ready
  to paste. Private/transient copies (password managers) are skipped.
• Browser history - the History filter searches every page you've
  visited across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc (all profiles).
  Return opens it; Cmd + C copies the link.
• System Settings shortcuts - the Settings filter jumps straight to
  Wi-Fi, Displays, Privacy, Full Disk Access, Keyboard, Battery, and more.
• Notes search - search across all your Apple Notes; Return opens the
  exact note.

What's new in 1.0.5

• Connected-source search. Beacon now includes first-pass local Mail and
  Calendar sources, with permission-aware previews and results alongside your
  existing files, messages, notes, history, and settings.
• Customizable filters. You can edit which source chips appear in Beacon,
  with cleaner controls and a saved layout so the launcher matches how you work.
• More reliable protected-source handling. Database-backed sources now have
  clearer access requirements and preview behavior when macOS permissions are
  needed.
• A new glass interface. Beacon now uses a clearer, more modern macOS
  material with continuous 24-point corners, subtle specular highlights,
  floating glass filter controls, and improved spacing throughout.
• Clearer result selection. The active result uses a restrained light-blue
  tint so names, paths, metadata, and icons remain easy to read.
• Cleaner thumbnails. File previews and app icons no longer sit inside
  redundant outlined image holders.
• Fresh screenshot/download fast lane. Recents now checks Desktop,
  Downloads, configured screenshot folders, and iCloud equivalents before the
  deeper crawl, so brand-new screenshots show up immediately even on Macs with
  huge folders.
• Better intent ranking. Beacon now favors exact phrase and standalone-word
  matches across Messages, Notes, History, Clipboard, Apps, Recents, Settings,
  and file names, so main beats maintain and IG beats random
  substrings.
• Expanded Settings shortcuts. The Settings filter now includes direct
  matches for Storage, Network, Login Items, Passwords, Touch ID & Password,
  Software Update, Date & Time, and more relevant keyword ranking.
• Recents is now filesystem-backed. Fresh Safari saves, screenshots, and
  downloads show up immediately without relying on Spotlight/Finder Recents.
• File thumbnails. Images, PDFs, videos, and many docs now show Quick Look
  previews in file rows instead of generic icons.
• History favicons. Browser-history rows load site icons directly from the
  visited site (no third-party favicon service), with better fallbacks for
  sites that don't expose their standard favicon.
• Downloaded apps show up. Apps are scanned directly from application
  folders, so third-party/external installs like Chrome, Claude, Cursor, and
  Discord show in Apps and All.
• System Settings filter. A new last filter jumps directly to common
  System Settings panes like Wi-Fi, Privacy, Full Disk Access, Displays,
  Keyboard, Battery, and more.
• Custom menu-bar icon. Beacon now uses a small template Beacon lens mark
  in the menu bar instead of Apple's generic search glyph.
• Expanded GitHub docs. The README now explains what Beacon can do, why it
  avoids Spotlight/Finder's common failure modes, and how the local scanners
  work.

Upgrading from an earlier version? Just replace the app in Applications -
your Full Disk Access setting carries over. Clipboard history starts recording
as soon as you launch this build.

Beacon 1.0.4

Beacon 1.0.4 - a fast, native macOS search launcher.

Install

1. Download Beacon-1.0.4.dmg below and open it.
2. Double-click Beacon. That's it - it installs itself into Applications,
   relaunches from there, and opens the search bar with a quick hotkey tip.
   (Dragging to the Applications folder still works too, if you prefer.)
3. Press Option + S anywhere to open the search bar. Press Esc to dismiss.
   Beacon lives in the menu bar (its beacon icon) - no Dock icon or main window.

This build is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens
without security warnings.

Search your text messages (optional)

Beacon can search your iMessage & SMS history. macOS protects the Messages
database, so this needs Full Disk Access (a one-time, manual toggle that
Apple requires for any app reading Messages):

1. In Beacon, press Option + S and click the Messages filter.
2. Click Open Settings - this jumps straight to
   System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Full Disk Access.
3. Find Beacon in the list and turn its switch on.
   (Beacon adds itself to this list automatically - no need for the "+" button.)
4. Choose Quit & Reopen when prompted.

Now select the Messages filter and search by word, phrase, or contact.
Return opens the conversation in Messages; Cmd + C copies the text.

The same Full Disk Access toggle also unlocks Notes and Safari
history. (Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc history work without it.)

File search needs no permissions and works the moment you launch Beacon.
Full Disk Access only unlocks Messages, Notes, Safari history, and a few
protected folders.

Highlights

• Unified "All" search - the All tab blends files & apps, messages, and
  notes into one grouped, ranked list. Chips included in All show a small dot;
  Clipboard and History are opt-in via their own chips.
• Recents that actually works - the Recents filter shows files you've
  opened, saved, or added recently, including fresh images/videos/downloads,
  while filtering out app internals, caches, folders, and other Finder noise.
  Type to narrow within the recent-files timeline.
• Clipboard history - everything you copy is captured locally and
  searchable under the Clipboard filter. Return copies it back, ready
  to paste. Private/transient copies (password managers) are skipped.
• Browser history - the History filter searches every page you've
  visited across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc (all profiles).
  Return opens it; Cmd + C copies the link.
• System Settings shortcuts - the Settings filter jumps straight to
  Wi-Fi, Displays, Privacy, Full Disk Access, Keyboard, Battery, and more.
• Notes search - search across all your Apple Notes; Return opens the
  exact note.

What's new in 1.0.4

• A new glass interface. Beacon now uses a clearer, more modern macOS
  material with continuous 24-point corners, subtle specular highlights,
  floating glass filter controls, and improved spacing throughout.
• Clearer result selection. The active result uses a restrained light-blue
  tint so names, paths, metadata, and icons remain easy to read.
• Cleaner thumbnails. File previews and app icons no longer sit inside
  redundant outlined image holders.
• Fresh screenshot/download fast lane. Recents now checks Desktop,
  Downloads, configured screenshot folders, and iCloud equivalents before the
  deeper crawl, so brand-new screenshots show up immediately even on Macs with
  huge folders.
• Better intent ranking. Beacon now favors exact phrase and standalone-word
  matches across Messages, Notes, History, Clipboard, Apps, Recents, Settings,
  and file names, so main beats maintain and IG beats random
  substrings.
• Expanded Settings shortcuts. The Settings filter now includes direct
  matches for Storage, Network, Login Items, Passwords, Touch ID & Password,
  Software Update, Date & Time, and more relevant keyword ranking.
• Recents is now filesystem-backed. Fresh Safari saves, screenshots, and
  downloads show up immediately without relying on Spotlight/Finder Recents.
• File thumbnails. Images, PDFs, videos, and many docs now show Quick Look
  previews in file rows instead of generic icons.
• History favicons. Browser-history rows load site icons directly from the
  visited site (no third-party favicon service), with better fallbacks for
  sites that don't expose their standard favicon.
• Downloaded apps show up. Apps are scanned directly from application
  folders, so third-party/external installs like Chrome, Claude, Cursor, and
  Discord show in Apps and All.
• System Settings filter. A new last filter jumps directly to common
  System Settings panes like Wi-Fi, Privacy, Full Disk Access, Displays,
  Keyboard, Battery, and more.
• Custom menu-bar icon. Beacon now uses a small template Beacon lens mark
  in the menu bar instead of Apple's generic search glyph.
• Expanded GitHub docs. The README now explains what Beacon can do, why it
  avoids Spotlight/Finder's common failure modes, and how the local scanners
  work.

Upgrading from an earlier version? Just replace the app in Applications -
your Full Disk Access setting carries over. Clipboard history starts recording
as soon as you launch this build.

Beacon 1.0.3

Beacon 1.0.3 - a fast, native macOS search launcher.

Install

1. Download Beacon-1.0.3.dmg below and open it.
2. Double-click Beacon. That's it - it installs itself into Applications,
   relaunches from there, and opens the search bar with a quick hotkey tip.
   (Dragging to the Applications folder still works too, if you prefer.)
3. Press Option + S anywhere to open the search bar. Press Esc to dismiss.
   Beacon lives in the menu bar (its beacon icon) - no Dock icon or main window.

This build is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens
without security warnings.

Search your text messages (optional)

Beacon can search your iMessage & SMS history. macOS protects the Messages
database, so this needs Full Disk Access (a one-time, manual toggle that
Apple requires for any app reading Messages):

1. In Beacon, press Option + S and click the Messages filter.
2. Click Open Settings - this jumps straight to
   System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Full Disk Access.
3. Find Beacon in the list and turn its switch on.
   (Beacon adds itself to this list automatically - no need for the "+" button.)
4. Choose Quit & Reopen when prompted.

Now select the Messages filter and search by word, phrase, or contact.
Return opens the conversation in Messages; Cmd + C copies the text.

The same Full Disk Access toggle also unlocks Notes and Safari
history. (Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc history work without it.)

File search needs no permissions and works the moment you launch Beacon.
Full Disk Access only unlocks Messages, Notes, Safari history, and a few
protected folders.

Highlights

• Unified "All" search - the All tab blends files & apps, messages, and
  notes into one grouped, ranked list. Chips included in All show a small dot;
  Clipboard and History are opt-in via their own chips.
• Recents that actually works - the Recents filter shows files you've
  opened, saved, or added recently, including fresh images/videos/downloads,
  while filtering out app internals, caches, folders, and other Finder noise.
  Type to narrow within the recent-files timeline.
• Clipboard history - everything you copy is captured locally and
  searchable under the Clipboard filter. Return copies it back, ready
  to paste. Private/transient copies (password managers) are skipped.
• Browser history - the History filter searches every page you've
  visited across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc (all profiles).
  Return opens it; Cmd + C copies the link.
• System Settings shortcuts - the Settings filter jumps straight to
  Wi-Fi, Displays, Privacy, Full Disk Access, Keyboard, Battery, and more.
• Notes search - search across all your Apple Notes; Return opens the
  exact note.

What's new in 1.0.3

• Fresh screenshot/download fast lane. Recents now checks Desktop,
  Downloads, configured screenshot folders, and iCloud equivalents before the
  deeper crawl, so brand-new screenshots show up immediately even on Macs with
  huge folders.
• Better intent ranking. Beacon now favors exact phrase and standalone-word
  matches across Messages, Notes, History, Clipboard, Apps, Recents, Settings,
  and file names, so main beats maintain and IG beats random
  substrings.
• Expanded Settings shortcuts. The Settings filter now includes direct
  matches for Storage, Network, Login Items, Passwords, Touch ID & Password,
  Software Update, Date & Time, and more relevant keyword ranking.
• Recents is now filesystem-backed. Fresh Safari saves, screenshots, and
  downloads show up immediately without relying on Spotlight/Finder Recents.
• File thumbnails. Images, PDFs, videos, and many docs now show Quick Look
  previews in file rows instead of generic icons.
• History favicons. Browser-history rows load site icons directly from the
  visited site (no third-party favicon service), with better fallbacks for
  sites that don't expose their standard favicon.
• Downloaded apps show up. Apps are scanned directly from application
  folders, so third-party/external installs like Chrome, Claude, Cursor, and
  Discord show in Apps and All.
• System Settings filter. A new last filter jumps directly to common
  System Settings panes like Wi-Fi, Privacy, Full Disk Access, Displays,
  Keyboard, Battery, and more.
• Custom menu-bar icon. Beacon now uses a small template Beacon lens mark
  in the menu bar instead of Apple's generic search glyph.
• Expanded GitHub docs. The README now explains what Beacon can do, why it
  avoids Spotlight/Finder's common failure modes, and how the local scanners
  work.

Upgrading from an earlier version? Just replace the app in Applications -
your Full Disk Access setting carries over. Clipboard history starts recording
as soon as you launch this build.

Beacon 1.0.2

Beacon 1.0.2 - a fast, native macOS search launcher.

Install

1. Download Beacon-1.0.2.dmg below and open it.
2. Double-click Beacon. That's it - it installs itself into Applications,
   relaunches from there, and opens the search bar with a quick hotkey tip.
   (Dragging to the Applications folder still works too, if you prefer.)
3. Press Option + S anywhere to open the search bar. Press Esc to dismiss.
   Beacon lives in the menu bar (its beacon icon) - no Dock icon or main window.

This build is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens
without security warnings.

Search your text messages (optional)

Beacon can search your iMessage & SMS history. macOS protects the Messages
database, so this needs Full Disk Access (a one-time, manual toggle that
Apple requires for any app reading Messages):

1. In Beacon, press Option + S and click the Messages filter.
2. Click Open Settings - this jumps straight to
   System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Full Disk Access.
3. Find Beacon in the list and turn its switch on.
   (Beacon adds itself to this list automatically - no need for the "+" button.)
4. Choose Quit & Reopen when prompted.

Now select the Messages filter and search by word, phrase, or contact.
Return opens the conversation in Messages; Cmd + C copies the text.

The same Full Disk Access toggle also unlocks Notes and Safari
history. (Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc history work without it.)

File search needs no permissions and works the moment you launch Beacon.
Full Disk Access only unlocks Messages, Notes, Safari history, and a few
protected folders.

Highlights

• Unified "All" search - the All tab blends files & apps, messages, and
  notes into one grouped, ranked list. Chips included in All show a small dot;
  Clipboard and History are opt-in via their own chips.
• Recents that actually works - the Recents filter shows files you've
  opened, saved, or added recently, including fresh images/videos/downloads,
  while filtering out app internals, caches, folders, and other Finder noise.
  Type to narrow within the recent-files timeline.
• Clipboard history - everything you copy is captured locally and
  searchable under the Clipboard filter. Return copies it back, ready
  to paste. Private/transient copies (password managers) are skipped.
• Browser history - the History filter searches every page you've
  visited across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc (all profiles).
  Return opens it; Cmd + C copies the link.
• System Settings shortcuts - the Settings filter jumps straight to
  Wi-Fi, Displays, Privacy, Full Disk Access, Keyboard, Battery, and more.
• Notes search - search across all your Apple Notes; Return opens the
  exact note.

What's new in 1.0.2

• Better intent ranking. Beacon now favors exact phrase and standalone-word
  matches across Messages, Notes, History, Clipboard, Apps, Recents, Settings,
  and file names, so main beats maintain and IG beats random
  substrings.
• Expanded Settings shortcuts. The Settings filter now includes direct
  matches for Storage, Network, Login Items, Passwords, Touch ID & Password,
  Software Update, Date & Time, and more relevant keyword ranking.
• Recents is now filesystem-backed. Fresh Safari saves, screenshots, and
  downloads show up immediately without relying on Spotlight/Finder Recents.
• File thumbnails. Images, PDFs, videos, and many docs now show Quick Look
  previews in file rows instead of generic icons.
• History favicons. Browser-history rows load site icons directly from the
  visited site (no third-party favicon service), with better fallbacks for
  sites that don't expose their standard favicon.
• Downloaded apps show up. Apps are scanned directly from application
  folders, so third-party/external installs like Chrome, Claude, Cursor, and
  Discord show in Apps and All.
• System Settings filter. A new last filter jumps directly to common
  System Settings panes like Wi-Fi, Privacy, Full Disk Access, Displays,
  Keyboard, Battery, and more.
• Custom menu-bar icon. Beacon now uses a small template Beacon lens mark
  in the menu bar instead of Apple's generic search glyph.
• Expanded GitHub docs. The README now explains what Beacon can do, why it
  avoids Spotlight/Finder's common failure modes, and how the local scanners
  work.

Upgrading from an earlier version? Just replace the app in Applications -
your Full Disk Access setting carries over. Clipboard history starts recording
as soon as you launch this build.

Beacon 1.0.1

Beacon 1.0.1 - a fast, native macOS search launcher.

Install

1. Download Beacon-1.0.1.dmg below and open it.
2. Double-click Beacon. That's it - it installs itself into Applications,
   relaunches from there, and opens the search bar with a quick hotkey tip.
   (Dragging to the Applications folder still works too, if you prefer.)
3. Press Option + S anywhere to open the search bar. Press Esc to dismiss.
   Beacon lives in the menu bar (its beacon icon) - no Dock icon or main window.

This build is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens
without security warnings.

Search your text messages (optional)

Beacon can search your iMessage & SMS history. macOS protects the Messages
database, so this needs Full Disk Access (a one-time, manual toggle that
Apple requires for any app reading Messages):

1. In Beacon, press Option + S and click the Messages filter.
2. Click Open Settings - this jumps straight to
   System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Full Disk Access.
3. Find Beacon in the list and turn its switch on.
   (Beacon adds itself to this list automatically - no need for the "+" button.)
4. Choose Quit & Reopen when prompted.

Now select the Messages filter and search by word, phrase, or contact.
Return opens the conversation in Messages; Cmd + C copies the text.

The same Full Disk Access toggle also unlocks Notes and Safari
history. (Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc history work without it.)

File search needs no permissions and works the moment you launch Beacon.
Full Disk Access only unlocks Messages, Notes, Safari history, and a few
protected folders.

Highlights

• Unified "All" search - the All tab blends files & apps, messages, and
  notes into one grouped, ranked list. Chips included in All show a small dot;
  Clipboard and History are opt-in via their own chips.
• Recents that actually works - the Recents filter shows files you've
  opened, saved, or added recently, including fresh images/videos/downloads,
  while filtering out app internals, caches, folders, and other Finder noise.
  Type to narrow within the recent-files timeline.
• Clipboard history - everything you copy is captured locally and
  searchable under the Clipboard filter. Return copies it back, ready
  to paste. Private/transient copies (password managers) are skipped.
• Browser history - the History filter searches every page you've
  visited across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc (all profiles).
  Return opens it; Cmd + C copies the link.
• System Settings shortcuts - the Settings filter jumps straight to
  Wi-Fi, Displays, Privacy, Full Disk Access, Keyboard, Battery, and more.
• Notes search - search across all your Apple Notes; Return opens the
  exact note.

What's new in 1.0.1

• Recents is now filesystem-backed. Fresh Safari saves, screenshots, and
  downloads show up immediately without relying on Spotlight/Finder Recents.
• File thumbnails. Images, PDFs, videos, and many docs now show Quick Look
  previews in file rows instead of generic icons.
• History favicons. Browser-history rows load site icons directly from the
  visited site (no third-party favicon service), with better fallbacks for
  sites that don't expose their standard favicon.
• Downloaded apps show up. Apps are scanned directly from application
  folders, so third-party/external installs like Chrome, Claude, Cursor, and
  Discord show in Apps and All.
• System Settings filter. A new last filter jumps directly to common
  System Settings panes like Wi-Fi, Privacy, Full Disk Access, Displays,
  Keyboard, Battery, and more.

Upgrading from an earlier version? Just replace the app in Applications -
your Full Disk Access setting carries over. Clipboard history starts recording
as soon as you launch this build.

Beacon 1.0.0

Beacon 1.0.0 - a fast, native macOS search launcher.

Install

1. Download Beacon-1.0.0.dmg below and open it.
2. Double-click Beacon. That's it - it installs itself into Applications,
   relaunches from there, and opens the search bar with a quick hotkey tip.
   (Dragging to the Applications folder still works too, if you prefer.)
3. Press Option + S anywhere to open the search bar. Press Esc to dismiss.
   Beacon lives in the menu bar (its beacon icon) - no Dock icon or main window.

This build is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens
without security warnings.

Search your text messages (optional)

Beacon can search your iMessage & SMS history. macOS protects the Messages
database, so this needs Full Disk Access (a one-time, manual toggle that
Apple requires for any app reading Messages):

1. In Beacon, press Option + S and click the Messages filter.
2. Click Open Settings - this jumps straight to
   System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Full Disk Access.
3. Find Beacon in the list and turn its switch on.
   (Beacon adds itself to this list automatically - no need for the "+" button.)
4. Choose Quit & Reopen when prompted.

Now select the Messages filter and search by word, phrase, or contact.
Return opens the conversation in Messages; Cmd + C copies the text.

The same Full Disk Access toggle also unlocks Notes and Safari
history. (Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc history work without it.)

File search needs no permissions and works the moment you launch Beacon.
Full Disk Access only unlocks Messages, Notes, Safari history, and a few
protected folders.

Highlights

• Unified "All" search - the All tab blends files & apps, messages, and
  notes into one grouped, ranked list. Chips included in All show a small dot;
  Clipboard and History are opt-in via their own chips.
• Recents that actually works - the Recents filter shows files you've
  opened, saved, or added recently, including fresh images/videos/downloads,
  while filtering out app internals, caches, folders, and other Finder noise.
  Type to narrow within the recent-files timeline.
• Clipboard history - everything you copy is captured locally and
  searchable under the Clipboard filter. Return copies it back, ready
  to paste. Private/transient copies (password managers) are skipped.
• Browser history - the History filter searches every page you've
  visited across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc (all profiles).
  Return opens it; Cmd + C copies the link.
• Notes search - search across all your Apple Notes; Return opens the
  exact note.

What's new in 1.0.0

• Search no longer wedges on stale results. Messages, Notes, and History
  now cancel superseded scans mid-loop, so typing a rare word like "contract"
  cannot leave the list stuck on results from the first keystroke.
• Faster Messages filtering. Message text/handle matches use the
  precomputed search haystack first and only fall back to contact-name lookup
  when needed, making full-history scans much cheaper.
• Recents catches fresh saves and downloads. Recents is scoped to real user
  folders at the Spotlight-query level and reads deeper, so a newly saved image
  from Safari or downloaded PDF is not buried under ~/Library cache churn.
• Panel reopen self-heals. Summoning Beacon re-runs the active query, so
  the list reflects fresh files/messages and does not require relaunching.

Upgrading from an earlier version? Just replace the app in Applications -
your Full Disk Access setting carries over. Clipboard history starts recording
as soon as you launch this build.

Beacon 0.9.0

Beacon 0.9.0 - a fast, native macOS search launcher.

Install

1. Download Beacon-0.9.0.dmg below and open it.
2. Double-click Beacon. That's it - it installs itself into Applications, relaunches from there, and opens the search bar with a quick hotkey tip. (Dragging to the Applications folder still works too.)
3. Press Option + S anywhere to open search. Press Esc to dismiss. Beacon lives in the menu bar - no Dock icon or main window.

This build is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens without security warnings.

What's new

• New Recents filter. A clean recent-files timeline sits next to All. It shows files you've opened, saved, or added in the last 30 days.
• Fresh saves show up. Recents runs separate recently-opened and recently-added Spotlight passes, so a brand-new image, video, screenshot, or download appears immediately even before you've opened it.
• Finder noise filtered out. Recents excludes apps, folders, hidden files, ~/Library internals, caches, and node_modules so the list stays focused on user files.
• Type within Recents. The Recents tab is browsable with an empty query, and typing narrows by filename while preserving the recency timeline.

Full Disk Access is still only needed for Messages, Notes, Safari history, and protected folders. File search and Recents work immediately.

Beacon 0.8.0

Beacon 0.8.0 - a fast, native macOS search launcher.

Install

1. Download Beacon-0.8.0.dmg below and open it.
2. Double-click Beacon. That's it - it installs itself into Applications,
   relaunches from there, and opens the search bar with a quick hotkey tip.
   (Dragging to the Applications folder still works too, if you prefer.)
3. Press Option + S anywhere to open the search bar. Press Esc to dismiss.
   Beacon lives in the menu bar (its beacon icon) - no Dock icon or main window.

This build is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens
without security warnings.

Search your text messages (optional)

Beacon can search your iMessage & SMS history. macOS protects the Messages
database, so this needs Full Disk Access (a one-time, manual toggle that
Apple requires for any app reading Messages):

1. In Beacon, press Option + S and click the Messages filter.
2. Click Open Settings - this jumps straight to
   System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Full Disk Access.
3. Find Beacon in the list and turn its switch on.
   (Beacon adds itself to this list automatically - no need for the "+" button.)
4. Choose Quit & Reopen when prompted.

Now select the Messages filter and search by word, phrase, or contact.
Return opens the conversation in Messages; Cmd + C copies the text.

The same Full Disk Access toggle also unlocks Notes and Safari
history. (Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc history work without it.)

File search needs no permissions and works the moment you launch Beacon.
Full Disk Access only unlocks Messages, Notes, Safari history, and a few
protected folders.

Highlights

• Unified "All" search - the All tab blends files & apps, messages, and
  notes into one grouped, ranked list. Chips included in All show a small dot;
  Clipboard and History are opt-in via their own chips.
• Clipboard history - everything you copy is captured locally and
  searchable under the Clipboard filter. Return copies it back, ready
  to paste. Private/transient copies (password managers) are skipped.
• Browser history - the History filter searches every page you've
  visited across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc (all profiles).
  Return opens it; Cmd + C copies the link.
• Notes search - search across all your Apple Notes; Return opens the
  exact note.

What's new in 0.8.0

• One-click install. Open the DMG and double-click Beacon - it moves
  itself into Applications and relaunches, ready to use. A first-run banner
  teaches the Option + S hotkey.
• A real app icon. Beacon now has its own icon in Finder, the Full Disk
  Access list, and everywhere else.
• Smarter results. Exact-name matches now win even with a file extension
  ("report" puts report.pdf on top), multi-word queries match at word
  boundaries ("chase stat" finds "Chase Statement.pdf"), and apps rank first
  when you type their name - launcher style.
• Search Messages by contact. Typing "Mom" surfaces Mom's conversation,
  not just texts containing the word "mom".
• Accent-insensitive everywhere. "jose" finds "José" across files,
  messages, notes, clipboard, and history.
• Better browser-history ranking. Frequently-visited pages now outrank
  one-off visits (match quality + frecency instead of pure recency).
• Faster keystroke-to-result time on large Messages/Notes libraries.

Upgrading from an earlier version? Just replace the app in Applications -
your Full Disk Access setting carries over. Clipboard history starts recording
as soon as you launch this build.

Beacon 0.7.2

Beacon 0.7.2 - a fast, native macOS search launcher.

Install

1. Download Beacon-0.7.2.dmg below.
2. Open it and drag Beacon into your Applications folder.
3. Launch Beacon from Applications. It lives in the menu bar
   (magnifying-glass icon) - there's no Dock icon or main window.
4. Press Option + S anywhere to open the search bar. Press Esc to dismiss.

This build is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens
without security warnings.

Search your text messages (optional)

Beacon can search your iMessage & SMS history. macOS protects the Messages
database, so this needs Full Disk Access (a one-time, manual toggle that
Apple requires for any app reading Messages):

1. In Beacon, press Option + S and click the Messages filter.
2. Click Open Settings - this jumps straight to
   System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Full Disk Access.
3. Find Beacon in the list and turn its switch on.
   (Beacon adds itself to this list automatically - no need for the "+" button.)
4. Choose Quit & Reopen when prompted.

Now select the Messages filter and search by word, phrase, or contact.
Return opens the conversation in Messages; Cmd + C copies the text.

The same Full Disk Access toggle also unlocks Notes and Safari
history. (Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc history work without it.)

File search needs no permissions and works the moment you launch Beacon.
Full Disk Access only unlocks Messages, Notes, Safari history, and a few
protected folders.

Highlights

• Unified "All" search - the All tab blends files & apps, messages, and
  notes into one grouped, ranked list. Chips included in All show a small dot;
  Clipboard and History are opt-in via their own chips.
• Clipboard history - everything you copy is captured locally and
  searchable under the Clipboard filter. Return copies it back, ready
  to paste. Private/transient copies (password managers) are skipped.
• Browser history - the History filter searches every page you've
  visited across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc (all profiles).
  Return opens it; Cmd + C copies the link.
• Notes search - search across all your Apple Notes; Return opens the
  exact note.

What's new in 0.7.2

• Rock-solid search consistency. Reworked the search engine so results
  always belong to the filter you're on. Fixed a race where a slow search
  (e.g. Messages) could land on the wrong tab (e.g. Notes), items went missing,
  or the list looked stale.
• Switching filters starts fresh. Changing the filter now clears the list
  instantly and re-runs cleanly - no leftover rows from the previous filter.
• Smoother feedback while typing or switching: a brief spinner instead of a
  flash of "No results."

Upgrading from an earlier version? Just replace the app in Applications -
your Full Disk Access setting carries over. Clipboard history starts recording
as soon as you launch this build.

Beacon 0.7.1

Beacon 0.7.1 - a fast, native macOS search launcher.

Install

1. Download Beacon-0.7.1.dmg below.
2. Open it and drag Beacon into your Applications folder.
3. Launch Beacon from Applications. It lives in the menu bar
   (magnifying-glass icon) - there's no Dock icon or main window.
4. Press Option + S anywhere to open the search bar. Press Esc to dismiss.

This build is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens
without security warnings.

Search your text messages (optional)

Beacon can search your iMessage & SMS history. macOS protects the Messages
database, so this needs Full Disk Access (a one-time, manual toggle that
Apple requires for any app reading Messages):

1. In Beacon, press Option + S and click the Messages filter.
2. Click Open Settings - this jumps straight to
   System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Full Disk Access.
3. Find Beacon in the list and turn its switch on.
   (Beacon adds itself to this list automatically - no need for the "+" button.)
4. Choose Quit & Reopen when prompted.

Now select the Messages filter and search by word, phrase, or contact.
Return opens the conversation in Messages; Cmd + C copies the text.

The same Full Disk Access toggle also unlocks Notes and Safari
history. (Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc history work without it.)

File search needs no permissions and works the moment you launch Beacon.
Full Disk Access only unlocks Messages, Notes, Safari history, and a few
protected folders.

Highlights

• Unified "All" search - the All tab blends files & apps, messages, and
  notes into one grouped, ranked list. Chips included in All show a small dot;
  Clipboard and History are opt-in via their own chips.
• Clipboard history - everything you copy is captured locally and
  searchable under the Clipboard filter. Return copies it back, ready
  to paste. Private/transient copies (password managers) are skipped.
• Browser history - the History filter searches every page you've
  visited across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Arc (all profiles).
  Return opens it; Cmd + C copies the link.
• Notes search - search across all your Apple Notes; Return opens the
  exact note.

What's new in 0.7.1

• Quit button. A small Quit button now lives in the bottom-right of the
  search bar so you can fully stop Beacon (it runs in the background) - handy
  before updating or deleting it. (Also available via the menu-bar icon's
  right-click menu.)
• Browser history is now up-to-the-minute. Recent visits that browsers keep
  in a write-ahead log are now included (previously history could look weeks
  stale).
• History no longer blocks on Safari. Chrome/Brave/Edge/Arc show
  immediately; if Safari's history is locked, a slim footer offers Full Disk
  Access instead of hiding everything.
• Clearer filter chips: the selected chip is solid blue, and chips whose
  results appear in All are marked with a small dot.
• Removed the experimental inline calculator.

Upgrading from an earlier version? Just replace the app in Applications -
your Full Disk Access setting carries over. Clipboard history starts recording
as soon as you launch this build.