howto

How to turn aerospace into an Application Launcher

this makes things way faster

tags
aerospace

One thing that I really liked about Omarchy and the way that he set up hyperland is that the key strokes going to an application actually started up that application. So cool. Lets implement that with AeroSpace.

Window Detection

This is how I've got my machine setup.

Each application has two configurations:

  1. Window detection rule: on-window-detected - automatically moves app windows to designated workspace
  2. Keyboard binding: alt-{letter} - launches app and switches to its workspace

Current application mappings:

WorkspaceApplication(s)ShortcutApp Path/Command
AChatGPT, Claudealt-a/Applications/ChatGPT.app
BChrome (browsers)alt-b/Applications/Google Chrome.app
CCursoralt-c/Applications/Cursor.app
DDocker Desktopalt-d/Applications/Docker.app
EEmacsalt-e/Applications/Emacs.app
MMimestreamalt-m/Applications/Mimestream.app
NObsidianalt-n/Applications/Obsidian.app
QPreviewalt-q/Applications/Preview.app
SSlackalt-s/Applications/Slack.app
TTerminal/Warpalt-t/Applications/Warp.app
UUnreadalt-u/Applications/Unread.app
VBooksalt-v/Applications/Books.app
WWhatsApp, Messagesalt-w/Applications/WhatsApp.app
XX (x.com), Elkalt-x~/Applications/Chrome Apps.localized/X.app

To add new applications:

  1. Add on-window-detected rule with app-name-regex-substring matching
  2. Update the corresponding alt-{letter} binding in [mode.main.binding]
  3. Update this documentation comment

Window Detection

I don't want the Finder to be part of the layout:

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  [[on-window-detected]]
  if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Finder'
  run = 'layout floating'

And for each specific application that I care about, I want it on a particular workspace.

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  # ChatGPT and Claude to workspace A
  [[on-window-detected]]
  if.app-name-regex-substring = 'ChatGPT'
  run = ['move-node-to-workspace A']

  [[on-window-detected]]
  if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Claude'
  run = ['move-node-to-workspace A']

This will ensure that these apps will go to the correct workspace no matter how they've been started, but here's another neat little trick:

Exec and Forget

Then when we switch, we do an open of the app incase it isn't already open:

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  alt-s = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/Slack.app', 'workspace S'] # Slack workspace

This means that it tries to open Slack, and then switches to the Slack workspace.

BOOM, just press OPTION-S and you are looking at slack, OPTION-W and you have WhatsApp, or whatever your poison is.

Resulting TOML

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# Place a copy of this config to ~/.aerospace.toml
# After that, you can edit ~/.aerospace.toml to your liking
#
# APPLICATION WORKSPACE SETUP:
# This config includes automatic workspace assignment for applications.
# Each application has two configurations:
# 1. Window detection rule: [[on-window-detected]] - automatically moves app windows to designated workspace
# 2. Keyboard binding: alt-{letter} - launches app and switches to its workspace
#
# Current application mappings:
# | Workspace | Application(s)          | Shortcut | App Path/Command |
# |-----------|-------------------------|----------|------------------|
# | A         | ChatGPT, Claude         | alt-a    | /Applications/ChatGPT.app |
# | B         | Chrome (browsers)       | alt-b    | /Applications/Google Chrome.app |
# | C         | Cursor                  | alt-c    | /Applications/Cursor.app |
# | D         | Docker Desktop          | alt-d    | /Applications/Docker.app |
# | E         | Emacs                   | alt-e    | /Applications/Emacs.app |
# | M         | Mimestream              | alt-m    | /Applications/Mimestream.app |
# | N         | Obsidian                | alt-n    | /Applications/Obsidian.app |
# | Q         | Preview                 | alt-q    | /Applications/Preview.app |
# | S         | Slack                   | alt-s    | /Applications/Slack.app |
# | T         | Terminal/Warp           | alt-t    | /Applications/Warp.app |
# | U         | Unread                  | alt-u    | /Applications/Unread.app |
# | V         | Books                   | alt-v    | /Applications/Books.app |
# | W         | WhatsApp, Messages      | alt-w    | /Applications/WhatsApp.app |
# | X         | X (x.com), Elk          | alt-x    | ~/Applications/Chrome Apps.localized/X.app |
#
# To add new applications:
# 1. Add [[on-window-detected]] rule with app-name-regex-substring matching
# 2. Update the corresponding alt-{letter} binding in [mode.main.binding]
# 3. Update this documentation comment

# You can use it to add commands that run after login to macOS user session.
# 'start-at-login' needs to be 'true' for 'after-login-command' to work
# Available commands: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands
after-login-command = []

# You can use it to add commands that run after AeroSpace startup.
# 'after-startup-command' is run after 'after-login-command'
# Available commands : https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands
after-startup-command = []

# Start AeroSpace at login
start-at-login = true

# Normalizations. See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#normalization
enable-normalization-flatten-containers = true
enable-normalization-opposite-orientation-for-nested-containers = true

# See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#layouts
# The 'accordion-padding' specifies the size of accordion padding
# You can set 0 to disable the padding feature
accordion-padding = 30

# Possible values: tiles|accordion
default-root-container-layout = 'tiles'

# Possible values: horizontal|vertical|auto
# 'auto' means: wide monitor (anything wider than high) gets horizontal orientation,
#               tall monitor (anything higher than wide) gets vertical orientation
default-root-container-orientation = 'auto'

# Mouse follows focus when focused monitor changes
# Drop it from your config, if you don't like this behavior
# See https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#on-focus-changed-callbacks
# See https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#move-mouse
# Fallback value (if you omit the key): on-focused-monitor-changed = []
on-focused-monitor-changed = ['move-mouse monitor-lazy-center']

# You can effectively turn off macOS "Hide application" (cmd-h) feature by toggling this flag
# Useful if you don't use this macOS feature, but accidentally hit cmd-h or cmd-alt-h key
# Also see: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/goodies#disable-hide-app
automatically-unhide-macos-hidden-apps = false

# Possible values: (qwerty|dvorak|colemak)
# See https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#key-mapping
[key-mapping]
    preset = 'qwerty'

# Gaps between windows (inner-*) and between monitor edges (outer-*).
# Possible values:
# - Constant:     gaps.outer.top = 8
# - Per monitor:  gaps.outer.top = [{ monitor.main = 16 }, { monitor."some-pattern" = 32 }, 24]
#                 In this example, 24 is a default value when there is no match.
#                 Monitor pattern is the same as for 'workspace-to-monitor-force-assignment'.
#                 See:
#                 https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#assign-workspaces-to-monitors
[gaps]
    inner.horizontal = 10
    inner.vertical =   10
    outer.left =       0
    outer.bottom =     0
    outer.top =        0
    outer.right =      0

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Finder'
run = 'layout floating'

# ChatGPT and Claude to workspace A
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'ChatGPT'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace A']

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Claude'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace A']

# Browser to workspace B
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Safari'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace B']

# Cursor to workspace C
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Cursor'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace C']

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Chrome'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace B']

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Firefox'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace B']

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Arc'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace B']

# X Chrome app and Elk to workspace X
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'X'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace X']

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Elk'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace X']

# Docker Desktop to workspace D
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Docker Desktop'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace D']

# Emacs to workspace E
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Emacs'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace E']

# Mail to workspace M
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Mail'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace M']

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Mimestream'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace M']

# Obsidian to workspace N
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Obsidian'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace N']

# Preview to workspace Q
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Preview'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace Q']

# Slack to workspace S
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Slack'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace S']

# Terminal/Warp to workspace T
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Terminal'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace T']

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Warp'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace T']

# Unread to workspace U
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Unread'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace U']

# Books to workspace V
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Books'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace V']

# WhatsApp and Messages to workspace W
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'WhatsApp'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace W']

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Messages'
run = ['move-node-to-workspace W']



# 'main' binding mode declaration
# See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#binding-modes
# 'main' binding mode must be always presented
# Fallback value (if you omit the key): mode.main.binding = {}
[mode.main.binding]

    # All possible keys:
    # - Letters.        a, b, c, ..., z
    # - Numbers.        0, 1, 2, ..., 9
    # - Keypad numbers. keypad0, keypad1, keypad2, ..., keypad9
    # - F-keys.         f1, f2, ..., f20
    # - Special keys.   minus, equal, period, comma, slash, backslash, quote, semicolon,
    #                   backtick, leftSquareBracket, rightSquareBracket, space, enter, esc,
    #                   backspace, tab, pageUp, pageDown, home, end, forwardDelete,
    #                   sectionSign (ISO keyboards only, european keyboards only)
    # - Keypad special. keypadClear, keypadDecimalMark, keypadDivide, keypadEnter, keypadEqual,
    #                   keypadMinus, keypadMultiply, keypadPlus
    # - Arrows.         left, down, up, right

    # All possible modifiers: cmd, alt, ctrl, shift

    # All possible commands: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#exec-and-forget
    # You can uncomment the following lines to open up terminal with alt + enter shortcut
    # (like in i3)
    # alt-enter = '''exec-and-forget osascript -e '
    # tell application "Terminal"
    #     do script
    #     activate
    # end tell'
    # '''

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#layout
    alt-slash = 'layout tiles horizontal vertical'
    alt-comma = 'layout accordion horizontal vertical'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#focus
    alt-h = 'focus left'
    alt-j = 'focus down'
    alt-k = 'focus up'
    alt-l = 'focus right'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#move
    alt-shift-h = 'move left'
    alt-shift-j = 'move down'
    alt-shift-k = 'move up'
    alt-shift-l = 'move right'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#resize
    alt-minus = 'resize smart -50'
    alt-equal = 'resize smart +50'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#workspace
    alt-1 = 'workspace 1'
    alt-2 = 'workspace 2'
    alt-3 = 'workspace 3'
    alt-4 = 'workspace 4'
    alt-5 = 'workspace 5'
    alt-6 = 'workspace 6'
    alt-7 = 'workspace 7'
    alt-8 = 'workspace 8'
    alt-9 = 'workspace 9'
    alt-a = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/ChatGPT.app', 'workspace A'] # ChatGPT/Claude workspace
    alt-b = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/Google\ Chrome.app', 'workspace B'] # Browser workspace
    alt-c = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/Cursor.app', 'workspace C'] # Cursor workspace
    alt-d = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/Docker.app', 'workspace D'] # Docker Desktop workspace
    alt-e = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/Emacs.app', 'workspace E'] # Emacs workspace
    alt-f = 'workspace F'
    alt-g = 'workspace G'
    alt-i = 'workspace I'
    alt-m = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/Mimestream.app', 'workspace M'] # Mail workspace
    alt-n = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/Obsidian.app', 'workspace N'] # Obsidian workspace
    alt-o = 'workspace O'
    alt-p = 'workspace P'
    alt-q = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/Preview.app', 'workspace Q'] # Preview workspace
    alt-r = 'workspace R'
    alt-s = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/Slack.app', 'workspace S'] # Slack workspace
    alt-t = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/Warp.app', 'workspace T'] # Terminal/Warp workspace
    alt-u = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/Unread.app', 'workspace U'] # Unread workspace
    alt-v = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/Books.app', 'workspace V'] # Books workspace
    alt-w = ['exec-and-forget open /Applications/WhatsApp.app', 'workspace W'] # WhatsApp/Messages workspace
    alt-x = ['exec-and-forget open ~/Applications/Chrome\ Apps.localized/X.app', 'workspace X'] # X Chrome app
    alt-y = 'workspace Y'
    alt-z = 'workspace Z'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#move-node-to-workspace
    alt-shift-1 = 'move-node-to-workspace 1'
    alt-shift-2 = 'move-node-to-workspace 2'
    alt-shift-3 = 'move-node-to-workspace 3'
    alt-shift-4 = 'move-node-to-workspace 4'
    alt-shift-5 = 'move-node-to-workspace 5'
    alt-shift-6 = 'move-node-to-workspace 6'
    alt-shift-7 = 'move-node-to-workspace 7'
    alt-shift-8 = 'move-node-to-workspace 8'
    alt-shift-9 = 'move-node-to-workspace 9'
    alt-shift-a = 'move-node-to-workspace A'
    alt-shift-b = 'move-node-to-workspace B'
    alt-shift-c = 'move-node-to-workspace C'
    alt-shift-d = 'move-node-to-workspace D'
    alt-shift-e = 'move-node-to-workspace E'
    alt-shift-f = 'move-node-to-workspace F'
    alt-shift-g = 'move-node-to-workspace G'
    alt-shift-i = 'move-node-to-workspace I'
    alt-shift-m = 'move-node-to-workspace M'
    alt-shift-n = 'move-node-to-workspace N'
    alt-shift-o = 'move-node-to-workspace O'
    alt-shift-p = 'move-node-to-workspace P'
    alt-shift-q = 'move-node-to-workspace Q'
    alt-shift-r = 'move-node-to-workspace R'
    alt-shift-s = 'move-node-to-workspace S'
    alt-shift-t = 'move-node-to-workspace T'
    alt-shift-u = 'move-node-to-workspace U'
    alt-shift-v = 'move-node-to-workspace V'
    alt-shift-w = 'move-node-to-workspace W'
    alt-shift-x = 'move-node-to-workspace X'
    alt-shift-y = 'move-node-to-workspace Y'
    alt-shift-z = 'move-node-to-workspace Z'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#workspace-back-and-forth
    alt-tab = 'workspace-back-and-forth'
    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#move-workspace-to-monitor
    alt-shift-tab = 'move-workspace-to-monitor --wrap-around next'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#mode
    alt-shift-semicolon = 'mode service'

# 'service' binding mode declaration.
# See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#binding-modes
[mode.service.binding]
    esc = ['reload-config', 'mode main']
    r = ['flatten-workspace-tree', 'mode main'] # reset layout
    f = ['layout floating tiling', 'mode main'] # Toggle between floating and tiling layout
    backspace = ['close-all-windows-but-current', 'mode main']

    # sticky is not yet supported https://github.com/nikitabobko/AeroSpace/issues/2
    #s = ['layout sticky tiling', 'mode main']

    alt-shift-h = ['join-with left', 'mode main']
    alt-shift-j = ['join-with down', 'mode main']
    alt-shift-k = ['join-with up', 'mode main']
    alt-shift-l = ['join-with right', 'mode main']

    down = 'volume down'
    up = 'volume up'
    shift-down = ['volume set 0', 'mode main']

References

Previously

howto

Setting and using Aerospace

moving away from the mouse

tags
aerospace
osx