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LaunchMenu
What it is
LaunchMenu is a free, open-source launcher for utilities called applets, presented through a keyboard-centric interface on macOS and Windows. Its menus support recursive fuzzy search, pattern filters, and prioritization of frequently used items. Arrow keys navigate, Enter activates primary actions, and Tab opens context menus; these controls can be customized. Users can select multiple items and run compatible actions together. Included applets cover dictionary lookup, notes, file management, internet search, calculations, translation, snippets, time tracking, and calendars. Settings and themes are customizable, with import and export for settings. An applet manager installs and removes official and third-party applets. Developers can build applets with TypeScript and React, compile them into LaunchMenu packages, and upload completed applets to npm using the launchmenu-applet keyword. Windows is the primary development and test platform. Most features have been adjusted for Mac with less extensive testing, while Linux support is planned.
For and against
For
- Recursive fuzzy search and pattern filters
- Customizable keyboard controls
- Multi-select actions for compatible items
- Built-in everyday utility applets
- Official and third-party applet manager
Against
- Linux support is only planned
- Mac testing is less extensive than Windows
- Some features are only partially supported
- No security practices are stated
The verdict
LaunchMenu offers a broad set of utilities in a customizable keyboard interface, with an applet system for extension. Windows has the most development attention; Mac support is less extensively tested and Linux is not yet worked on.
Who it suits
It suits users who want keyboard-driven access to multiple utilities on Windows or macOS. Developers can extend the launcher with TypeScript and React applets.
Plans and prices
Free
No paid tier or usage limits stated
Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
On the record
- Applet API
- The public applet API exposes settings, menus, menu items, context actions, search handlers, themed components, and related systems.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Applet distribution
- Completed applets can be published to npm with the keyword launchmenu-applet for ecosystem discovery.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Applet management
- An applet manager is intended to install and remove official and third-party applets.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Build tooling
- The project provides a build utility that compiles TypeScript and resources into LaunchMenu packages and supports automatic reload during development.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Built-in utilities
- Listed utility applets include dictionary, notes, file management, internet search, calculator, translator, snippets, time tracking, and calendar tools.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Context menus
- Items can expose multiple actions, searchable context menus, nested submenus, and a visible UI path.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Core applets
- Core applets handle help, settings, window management, sessions, recording, themes, undo-redo, and user scripts.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Custom controls
- Keyboard controls can be customized, and the project describes planned switchable layouts including a Vim-inspired mode.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Customization
- The site describes customizable applet settings and themes, and says settings can be imported and exported.launchmenu.github.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Developer languages
- Applet development uses TypeScript and React, with methods documented using TSDoc.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Developer tools
- The developer page says applets can be built with TypeScript and React and describes a build utility that compiles applets into LaunchMenu-ready packages.launchmenu.github.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The documentation includes an applet overview with TypeScript examples covering settings, search patterns, context actions, and UI components.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Electron
- LaunchMenu is built with Electron so applets can target multiple desktop platforms.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- An applet manager is described for installing and removing official and third-party applets.launchmenu.github.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Founders
- The about page names Sancarn as founder and Tar van Krieken as cofounder.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- History
- The project began in 2017, moved from AutoHotkey to Electron, and formed the LaunchMenu GitHub organization in 2020.launchmenu.github.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Included utilities
- Listed utility applets include a dictionary, notes, file manager, internet search, calculator, translator, snippets, time tracker, and calendar.launchmenu.github.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Independent alternatives
- AlternativeTo lists more than 10 alternatives and names Listary, Alfred, Keypirinha, Wox Launcher, and Fluent Search among them.alternativeto.net · read 15 Oct 2026
