Dux App Launcher

Spotlight-like app launcher for macOS. Learn more at https://dux.github.io/app-launcher/.

Install

make

or Install binary from GitHub releases

Usage

Shortcut	Action
Cmd+Space or Cmd+Shift+Space	Toggle launcher
Arrow keys	Navigate list / Switch tabs
Enter	Launch selected
Esc	Hide window

Features

Search & Ranking

• Instant search across /Applications, /System/Applications, and ~/Applications, plus optional System Settings panes and custom scripts.
• Smart ranking that prioritizes items whose names start with your query, then falls back to launch frequency (tracked via history.txt) and recency, so the things you use most bubble to the top.
• Empty queries show the last 5 launches pulled from a rolling history of the most recent 50 items.

Keyboard & Windowing

• Global toggles on Cmd+Space and Shift+Cmd+Space, with arrow-key navigation, Return-to-launch, and Escape-to-hide.
• Tabbed interface (Search / Settings / Scripts) with left/right arrow switching and automatic search-field focus.
• Optional menu bar icon for quick access, plus a minimalist, semi-transparent window that stays centered and hides chrome.

System Integration

• Toggle inclusion of macOS System Settings panes and curated system commands (Sleep, Lock Screen, Restart, Shutdown).
• One-click options for showing a menu bar icon and launching at login (via SMAppService).
• Context menus on search results to copy paths, open apps, reveal packages, or jump straight to Finder.
• Quick refresh button to reload app list without restarting the app.
• "Move to Trash" option on context menu to remove unwanted apps/scripts from search results.

Settings Panel

• Launch at login toggle backed by SMAppService.mainApp.
• Menu bar icon switch that live-toggles the status-item.
• Include System Settings panes & System Commands switches (trigger immediate reloads).
• Shortcut cheatsheet for Cmd+Space / Shift+Cmd+Space and quick link to disable Spotlight.
• “Open app folder” button that reveals ~/.dux-app-launcher in Finder.

Custom Scripts

• Built-in script editor with name + command fields, run/save/delete actions, and automatic executable permissions.
• Scripts live in ~/.dux-app-launcher/*.sh and are searchable alongside apps.
• Programmatic refresh notifications keep search results in sync whenever scripts change.

Configuration & Persistence

• All preferences live in ~/.dux-app-launcher/options.yaml; launch history is stored in ~/.dux-app-launcher/history.txt.
• History is refreshed after every launch so rankings immediately reflect your usage.
• Settings panel surfaces launch-at-login status, menu bar toggle, system pane/command options, shortcut reminders, and quick access to the app support folder.

Scripts

Create custom launchers in ~/.dux-app-launcher/*.sh or use the Scripts tab.

Config

~/.dux-app-launcher/options.yaml

Build

Command	Description
make	Build, install, run
make build	Build only
make clean	Remove artifacts
make install	Install to /Applications