LaunchPalette is a Mac App Store utility that maps apps, folders, project windows, and scripts to nested keyboard palettes so you can jump to the right context without reaching for the mouse or macOS’s default ⌘Tab carousel.
How it works on Mac
You assign shortcuts—often using the right Command key so left ⌘ stays free for copy, paste, and standard app shortcuts—to open or focus Safari, Mail, a specific Xcode workspace, a folder, or a shell script. Pressing the same shortcut again can hide the app or, with the free LaunchPalette Helper companion installed, cycle through that app’s windows in last-used order. Multiple palettes can use different modifier combinations (Control, Option, Command), and registered files keep working if you rename or move them on disk.
Who it fits
LaunchPalette suits developers and power users who live in several IDEs, terminals, and browsers and want muscle-memory shortcuts instead of hunting windows. It complements—not replaces—Spotlight and ⌘Tab: you define intentional “go to this project” bindings rather than recency-only switching. The app is free with a 7-day trial; unlimited use unlocks via one-time lifetime purchase (about $12.99 on the US App Store, with occasional promos) or a low monthly subscription. Requires macOS 13.0 or later; Intel and Apple Silicon are supported.
Version 1.15
Release 1.15 refines how LaunchPalette focuses applications that own several windows: switching should feel smoother and raise the most relevant window instead of an arbitrary one. Earlier 1.12 added per-palette enable/disable toggles; 1.14.x builds shipped general stability work. The Mac App Store “What’s New” text for 1.15 is brief, so treat this version as a focused behavior improvement rather than a major feature drop.
Run the downloaded image and drag the app to the Applications folder shortcut.
Once the copy is complete, you can launch the app from Launchpad.
Compatibility
macOS 13 and later
Architecture
ARM, x86 (64-bit)