How To Use Autohotkey On Mac

Windows users have long had the ability to use AutoHotkey (ahk), a feature that allows users to gear up a series of commands that trigger when a few keystrokes are made. It's an excellent feature for those who end up triggering the same set of commands routinely just don't desire to jump through the same hoops.

Mac users have something similar. At that place are macros for macOS available in the Automator app that lets you build and run your own ahk scripts. But Automator is difficult for many to use. Depending on your needs, third-party apps may allow you lot to create script on Mac devices with more ease, or create a macro on a Mac within an app you lot apply about oft. AutoHotkey scripts on macOS may not be native, just they're accessible with a few cracking apps. We'll prove yous how.

Is there an AutoHotkey for Mac?

In brusk, no, there is no ahk for Mac. That doesn't mean you lot tin't replicate the experience, though. Here are a few not bad apps that tin go you AutoHotkey scripting features on your Mac:

BetterTouchTool. Not only can y'all create macros for apply on Mac, BetterTouchTool supports trackpad and mouse gestures, and allows for remote triggering of macros via iPad, iPhone, Apple TV remote, or Siri! You tin even control which apps your shortcuts volition and won't work in, and the app lets yous create expanded AutoHotkey shortcuts on Mac for a faster workflow. This is even meliorate than ahk for Mac because you can utilise every input method you similar, not just the keyboard.
Almighty. While Almighty may not accept a straight approach to scripting macros, information technology does allow for a deep level of customization to improve your workflow. You can manage your Mac's Dock to only show agile apps, and control system settings like keyboard input, screen savers, dark mode, and scheduled shutdowns with more granularity. Almighty also lets you find hidden files in finder and admission your nigh-used tools in the menu bar.
TeaCode. If y'all're adept at writing code and desire to create a few shortcuts, TeaCode may be the app you're looking for. It's a minimal, straightforward IDE for creating code snippets for use anywhere. There's even an auto completion feature for code snippets then yous can create faster and worry about errors less often. It plugs into Atom, Visual Studio Code, JetBrains, and Sublime Text.
If you think like a developer while typing, there's a gratuitous app named Espanso that might be exactly what you're looking for. Information technology relies on colon-based shortcuts that are customizable. Instead of typing the date, you can use a shortcut like ":date" and Espanso will add the correct appointment for you! There are downloadable packages of shortcuts for Espanso, and you tin use beat out or scripting commands if you need more power backside your shortcuts.
And don't forget Automator! Your Mac has a powerful scripting engine built correct into macOS. Just exist aware Automator may be a scrap confusing for new users, so don't be shy about searching the spider web for tutorials on how to use Automator!

Bringing AutoHotkey shortcuts to Mac

Yous tin do but most anything with ahk scripts. Simplify and speed up a workflow, add blocks of text with a few keystrokes, or open/shut apps with a control. In the example below we created a script in Keysmith to open an app. To record scripts with Keysmith, you don't take to deal with Automator'southward complexity — you can just open up Keysmith and take it record what you're doing, then assign a shortcut. The case below is very simple but y'all can besides use Keysmith to open up multiple apps and run different multi-step actions. record scripts with Keysmith

Lacona is some other replacement for AutoHotkey, which doesn't require any scripting. Information technology allows for a more natural way to search your Mac and perform routine functions. If you find yourself wanting to start a phone call, transport a text, or discover a file on your Mac, Lacona search uses natural language to make the entire procedure uncomplicated. Just type your asking using natural language and Lacona will get you started on the right path. It's kind of like Siri, just without voice. perform routine functions with Lacona

So what's better than AutoHotkey?

At that place may non be an "official" AutoHotkey app for Mac, merely that doesn't mean you can't apply shortcuts and macros! With a few keen apps, y'all'll exist able to perform tons of functions you may not have recognized were possible. In fact, these apps aggrandize on the capabilities of AutoHotkey and practice an even better job.

Rocket Typist, Lacona, Keysmith, BetterTouchTool, and Almighty will help you set upwards and run quick actions then y'all can do your work faster — without using any complicated scripts. Espanso and TeaCode are terrific time boosters for developers. Each have specific means to improve your workflow with macros and shortcuts. If you need a bit more power and yous're acquainted with scripting, Automator might exist a cracking pick, too!

You'll also dear that Lacona, Rocket Typist, Keysmith, BetterTouchTool, TeaCode, and Almighty are free to utilise for seven days with Setapp, a productivity platform that brings together 200+ incredible Mac and iPhone apps all geared toward improving your workflow. When your trial ends, continued admission to the 200-plus apps in the Setapp suite is but $9.99 per month. It'southward a astounding deal you don't need a macro for, then don't hesitate – download Setapp now!