I built Sliprail, a launcher for macOS and Windows. It serves as an alternative to tools like Raycast or Alfred, but with a different philosophy regarding interaction design and UI architecture.
My engineering focus has been on ensuring minimal input latency and a snappy response.
Here are a few notable differences:
Space-Driven Arguments: Instead of menu navigation, Sliprail uses the Space key. Type a command (e.g., google), hit Space, and type your arguments (e.g., weather) instantly.
Detached Interfaces: Extensions run in standalone windows rather than being confined to the main launcher bar. This enables richer interfaces for tools like File Search or MCP integrations.
Window Management: Includes a built-in fuzzy search to switch focus between active windows, alongside native window snapping shortcuts.
Custom Algorithm: Uses a distinct fuzzy matching algorithm tuned specifically for mixed app/command priority.
There are other workflow tweaks and architectural choices that distinguish it from existing tools, but I'd love to hear your feedback on these core interactions first.