Abstract
- Shortcat is a robust app that permits you to management nearly each ingredient of your Mac’s UI with the keyboard.
- It really works by overlaying keyboard shortcut labels onto interface parts, offering fast entry to controls inside apps.
- Shortcat has a studying curve, might not contemplate current keyboard shortcuts, and lacks intensive help for dragging. However it’s helpful for decreasing mouse use and maximizing keyboard effectivity.
Keyboard help shouldn’t be a precedence for macOS, which embodies the long-running Apple precept of “mouse-first.” However should you favor typing to swiping, it’s best to take a look at this highly effective app.
What Is Shortcat and What is the Level?
For the reason that launch of the long-lasting Macintosh laptop in 1984, Apple has at all times prioritized the mouse. The corporate famously found an early mouse prototype whereas touring Xerox Parc, then redesigned its deliberate System 1.0—the unique Mac OS—round it.
So, though macOS affords built-in keyboard customization and instruments just like the Emoji Picker, utilizing the keyboard can nonetheless be difficult—or inconceivable—in sure contexts.
Shortcat is a utility that runs within the background, letting you entry nearly each ingredient of your Mac’s UI with the keyboard. Whether or not you are utilizing Finder, Spotify, or every other app, Shortcat will allow you to management it with the keyboard. Its major mode works by overlaying keyboard shortcut labels onto interface parts. Hit the suitable shortcut, and you’ll then entry that management throughout the app.
The Shortcat app makes use of macOS’s accessibility API to learn from info that every app gives, so it ought to—in principle—work with any app, with none further setup.
The way to Set up and Run Shortcat
The simplest solution to pay money for Shortcat is to obtain it by way of the official website. This obtain is an easy zip file containing simply the .app, which you’ll then transfer into your Functions folder or every other location to put in.
If you use Homebrew, you possibly can set up Shortcat with this command:
brew set up shortcat As a result of macOS is very strict about what apps can do, you may have to allow just a few permissions below System Settings > Privateness & Safety > Accessibility.
Shortcat then runs within the background till you activate it with a keyboard shortcut, though you can too entry it by way of its Menu Bar icon:
By default, Shortcat won’t launch on begin. To vary that, set the Preferences > Normal > “Launch at login” choice.
Utilizing Shortcat to Management Your Apps
Once you activate Shortcat, you may see just a few small labels overlaid in your present window and the app menu, with Shortcat’s search overlay close to the center of your display. As you sort, you may slim down the choices out there.
For instance, this is a textual content editor open with Shortcat activated:
Word that Shortcat labels menus, buttons, and different on-screen parts with one or two letters. Begin typing considered one of these labels, and you will see search outcomes with all of the out there labels:
You may proceed typing to slim down your search, or navigate the choices utilizing Up Arrow and Down Arrow. Press Enter—or use the displayed Cmd+[Number] shortcuts—to simulate a left mouse click on on the highlighted management.
Word that you do not have to make use of the labels to go looking. If you wish to choose one thing with apparent textual content, you can begin by typing a few of that textual content as a substitute. For instance, Shortcat provides labels for particular person tracks in Spotify, however it may be faster to run a fast textual content search:
Shortcat works significantly properly with an online browser. Though web sites typically have good keyboard help, it may be inconsistent and irritating to make use of. You should use Tab to cycle between hyperlinks, however this may be time-consuming on pages that embrace lots of them.
Take Craigslist for example. Its pages normally have many hyperlinks, however you possibly can rapidly bounce to any considered one of them utilizing Shortcat:
Shortcat helps you to click on on interactive parts with ease, however it additionally has help for trickier interactions like scrolling. That is very helpful while you’re utilizing an app like Maps.
With Shortcat open, maintain House then faucet H, J, Ok, or L to scroll no matter’s below the mouse pointer. Utilizing this, you possibly can navigate the map with out your fingers leaving the keyboard.
What Options Are There?
I will be sincere: though Shortcat is a exceptional utility, it isn’t excellent. It positively has a studying curve, and the preliminary idea generally is a bit overwhelming.
Shortcat does not actually contemplate current keyboard shortcuts, so it could even make accessibility worse in some circumstances. Take Calculator, for instance:
There are a few capabilities that Shortcat permits, however it additionally obscures parts just like the quantity buttons which have already got their very own single-key shortcuts. After all, you continue to have the choice of ignoring Shortcat and simply utilizing built-in shortcuts.
Shortcat additionally fails to help dragging. So, if it is advisable often handle home windows when you’re working, you may wish to take a look at an essential Mac app like Rectangle which has wonderful keyboard help.
Total, Shortcat is a superb addition to your toolbox, particularly should you’re trying to scale back mouse use and take full benefit of your keyboard. On the very least, Shortcat is beneficial when your Magic Mouse has to lie on its back for recharging.
