Blitz: A Native macOS Launcher for Apps, Files, Windows, and Raycast Extensions

Blitz turns a keyboard shortcut into a command center for macOS: launch apps, search files, manage clipboard history, run snippets, arrange windows, and use supported Raycast extensions in a native interface. It is an open-source Swift project for people who want one searchable surface instead of a collection of separate utilities.

One shortcut opens a broad command surface

Blitz can show favorites, running apps, and fuzzy app results in one launcher. During setup, you can record a shortcut for it or take over Command-Space from Spotlight; the shortcut is configurable rather than a fixed requirement.

The launcher is also a starting point for built-in commands. Search, calculations, snippets, Quicklinks, Shortcuts, window actions, and extensions can be reached without opening a separate app for each task.

Blitz can search files through Spotlight in folders you choose. It uses the system index rather than building its own file index, so results depend on Spotlight having indexed the selected locations.

Search files and screenshots with Spotlight

File search is designed to reuse macOS Spotlight. That keeps the launcher from maintaining a second catalog, while folder selection lets you focus searches on the places you use.

A separate screenshot search can find images by filename or by OCR text when you opt in. OCR is useful for locating a captured message or document, but it also means the image contents are examined for text; enable it only if that tradeoff fits your workflow.

Clipboard, dictionary, and calculator tools

The built-in clipboard history handles text and images, making it possible to retrieve something copied earlier without keeping a dedicated clipboard app in the foreground. Dictionary lookup and emoji search are available from the same command surface.

The calculator handles ordinary arithmetic, unit conversions, and live currency or cryptocurrency values. Live quotes require current data, so unlike basic arithmetic they may involve network requests and should not be treated as financial advice.

Snippets and commands reduce repeated typing

Blitz includes Markdown snippets with placeholders and text expansion, plus custom shell commands, Quicklinks, and Apple Shortcuts. A snippet can keep a reusable template close at hand; a command or shortcut can carry out a more involved routine.

Quick Actions can transform selected text—for example, to fix grammar, rewrite, translate, or summarize it. Check which provider or service handles a particular action before sending sensitive text, especially when an action uses an AI integration.

Arrange windows and control the desktop

The project includes roughly 35 Rectangle-style window actions, alongside layouts and saved rooms. You can use these to move and resize windows, switch among windows, or keep a familiar workspace arrangement one command away.

Other commands can expose app menu items and trigger system actions. Availability depends on the command and the permissions macOS grants; Blitz is a launcher and automation surface, not a replacement for every app-specific control.

Keep everyday information within reach

Calendar and meeting details, reminders, contacts, notes, camera access, and emoji tools extend Blitz beyond launching and search. These integrations are most useful when you want to act on common Mac information without changing context.

Blitz can also back up and import Raycast configuration. Treat that as a migration aid rather than a guarantee that every preference or extension behaves identically; review imported settings and permissions after moving over.

Raycast extensions in a native SwiftUI app

A distinctive feature is support for running Raycast extensions in Blitz’s native SwiftUI interface. That can bring existing commands into a launcher that is not built as an Electron shell, while keeping the extension ecosystem part of the experience.

Compatibility is still extension-specific: an extension may depend on APIs, services, or assumptions Blitz does not implement. The README describes native execution, but it does not promise that every item in the Raycast catalog will work without changes.

AI and MCP are optional integrations

AI chat is optional and disabled by default. Depending on setup, it can use a configured key or an installed account. Blitz also supports local and remote MCP servers; the app prompts before the first tool call, and assistant changes to calendar or reminders require confirmation.

The project says it has no telemetry, but that does not make every connected feature offline. Remote MCP, AI providers, live exchange-rate data, and other external integrations can communicate with their respective services. Choose only the integrations you need and review their own data practices.

Permissions are tied to specific actions

Blitz says Accessibility permission is needed for pasting and text expansion, rather than for ordinary app launching. macOS may separately request access when you use features such as the camera or control windows; grant those permissions only when the related feature is useful to you.

This permission model is worth checking before enabling automation broadly. A launcher can make powerful actions convenient, so review shell commands, imported extensions, MCP tools, and any configured AI provider before relying on them with sensitive work.

Install the official signed Release

Blitz requires macOS 26 or later. Apple’s official search did not surface a matching App Store listing for this project, so the verified installation path is the official v1.0.41 universal ZIP Release; the Release page contains its notes.

The README says published builds are signed with Developer ID and notarized. After downloading, unzip the archive and move Blitz.app into Applications. The project says the app can update itself from the same Release channel.

The direct ZIP was checked as an actual release asset, not just a source archive. To open the verified download in your browser, use:

open https://github.com/fa-krug/blitz/releases/download/v1.0.41/Blitz-Universal-1.0.41.zip

Official signed and notarized universal ZIP: https://github.com/fa-krug/blitz/releases/download/v1.0.41/Blitz-Universal-1.0.41.zip
Release notes: https://github.com/fa-krug/blitz/releases/tag/v1.0.41
Requires macOS 26 or later. Unzip the download and move Blitz.app to Applications. No matching App Store listing was found.