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SPECIFICTION
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LaunchMenu

launchmenu.github.io

Free plan Open source WindowsmacOSAPI
Visit launchmenu.github.io
Spec score 8.6 #3 of 39 in Start Menu Customization Software

What it is

LaunchMenu is a free, open-source launcher that provides utilities called applets through a keyboard-oriented interface. Its menus support recursive fuzzy search, pattern filters, and prioritization of frequently used items. Users can navigate with arrow keys, activate primary actions with Enter, and open context menus with Tab; controls can be customized. Multi-select allows compatible actions to be applied to several items together. Applets include a dictionary, notes, file manager, internet search, calculator, translator, snippets, time tracker, and calendar. Users can adjust applet settings and themes, import or export settings, and manage official or third-party applets. LaunchMenu runs on macOS and Windows. The site identifies Windows as the primary development and test platform, while Mac testing has been less extensive. Linux support is planned and has not yet been worked on. Developers can build applets using TypeScript and React, compile them into LaunchMenu-ready packages, and upload completed applets to npm with the launchmenu-applet keyword. The listed free plan costs nothing.

Spec sheet

What it does
LaunchMenu is an open-source, keyboard-focused desktop utility platform that exposes utilities through applets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Product
LaunchMenu is an open-source application that brings utilities called applets to users through a keyboard-centric interface.Read 9 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Integrations
The developer page says completed applets can be uploaded to npm with the keyword launchmenu-applet to load into the applet ecosystem.Read 9 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Security
The opened maker pages did not state security certifications, compliance standards, or security practices.Read 9 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
License
The GitHub repository identifies the project as MIT licensed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Founded
2017Read 28 Sep 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Applet API
The public applet API exposes settings, menus, menu items, context actions, search handlers, themed components, and related systems.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Applet distribution
Completed applets can be published to npm with the keyword launchmenu-applet for ecosystem discovery.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Applet management
An applet manager is intended to install and remove official and third-party applets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Build tooling
The project provides a build utility that compiles TypeScript and resources into LaunchMenu packages and supports automatic reload during development.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Built-in utilities
Listed utility applets include dictionary, notes, file management, internet search, calculator, translator, snippets, time tracking, and calendar tools.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Context menus
Items can expose multiple actions, searchable context menus, nested submenus, and a visible UI path.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Core applets
Core applets handle help, settings, window management, sessions, recording, themes, undo-redo, and user scripts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Custom controls
Keyboard controls can be customized, and the project describes planned switchable layouts including a Vim-inspired mode.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Customization
The site describes customizable applet settings and themes, and says settings can be imported and exported.Read 9 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Developer languages
Applet development uses TypeScript and React, with methods documented using TSDoc.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Developer tools
The developer page says applets can be built with TypeScript and React and describes a build utility that compiles applets into LaunchMenu-ready packages.Read 9 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Documentation
The documentation includes an applet overview with TypeScript examples covering settings, search patterns, context actions, and UI components.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Electron
LaunchMenu is built with Electron so applets can target multiple desktop platforms.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Extensibility
An applet manager is described for installing and removing official and third-party applets.Read 9 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Founders
The about page names Sancarn as founder and Tar van Krieken as cofounder.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
History
The project began in 2017, moved from AutoHotkey to Electron, and formed the LaunchMenu GitHub organization in 2020.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Included utilities
Listed utility applets include a dictionary, notes, file manager, internet search, calculator, translator, snippets, time tracker, and calendar.Read 9 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Independent alternatives
AlternativeTo lists more than 10 alternatives and names Listary, Alfred, Keypirinha, Wox Launcher, and Fluent Search among them.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
Independent description
AlternativeTo lists LaunchMenu as free, open source, cross-platform, search-based productivity software focused on customizability and extensibility.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
Independent history
Tar van Krieken's project page says the current downloadable version began development in mid-2020 after earlier iterations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tarvk.github.io
Keyboard controls
Users can navigate with arrow keys, activate primary actions with Enter, and open context menus with Tab; controls are customizable.Read 9 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Keyboard navigation
Users navigate items with arrow keys, execute the primary action with Enter, and open context menus with Tab.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Limit: small community
The same G2 reviewer complained that the user community had little activity and needed more growth and promotion.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Linux status
Linux support is planned and the project says Linux work has not yet begun.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Linux support
Linux support is described as planned and not yet worked on.Read 9 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Mac support
The site says most features have been tested and adjusted for Mac, with less extensive testing than on Windows.Read 9 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
macOS support
Most features have been tested and adjusted for Mac, but testing is described as less extensive than on Windows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Maker review limitation
The official homepage says LaunchMenu is still being developed, with some features only partially supported or planned.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Multi-select
Users can select several items and run compatible actions on them together.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Package license
The npm package @launchmenu/launcher is publicly distributed under the MIT license.Read 15 Oct 2026 · npmjs.com
Package status
The launcher package is version 0.1.1, includes TypeScript declarations, has seven dependencies, and had 11 weekly downloads when the page was crawled.Read 15 Oct 2026 · npmjs.com
Portable settings
The site says settings will support import and export for portability.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Praise: speed
G2's single reviewer described Launch.menu as simple, fast to use, and easy to operate through browser extensions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Project status
The site says some features are only partially supported and marks features as supported, coming soon, or long term.Read 9 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Rating on G2
4.5 out of 5 from 1 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Release status
Release v0.1.4 is labeled beta; the release notes warn that functionality is limited and bugs are likely, especially around operating-system integration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Repository activity
The public repository shows 181 commits, 38 issues, 9 pull requests, 57 stars, and 3 forks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Search
Menus support recursive search, pattern filters, fuzzy matching, and ranking based on use frequency.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Settings
Settings are searchable and applets can expose their own configurable settings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Support channels
The project directs users and contributors to GitHub and Matrix or Element community channels.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Themes
Themes can change the appearance of LaunchMenu and its applets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Undo redo
The action system supports undoable commands, asynchronous execution, and separate execution channels.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io
Windows support
Windows is the primary development and testing platform and is described as having the lowest expected bug risk.Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io

Plans and prices

Free Free free No paid tier or usage limits stated Read 15 Oct 2026 · launchmenu.github.io

Every LaunchMenu plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Recursive fuzzy search with pattern filters
  • Keyboard controls are customizable
  • Multi-select works with compatible actions
  • Settings can be imported and exported
  • Free, open-source application

Limits

  • Linux support is planned, not yet worked on
  • Mac testing is less extensive than Windows
  • Some features are only partially supported

Who it suits

LaunchMenu suits people who want keyboard access to a collection of small utilities on macOS or Windows. Developers using TypeScript and React can also build applets for its ecosystem.

Verdict

LaunchMenu centers on keyboard-driven access to a varied set of utilities, with customization and applet extensibility. Windows is the more established platform in the maker's description; Linux support remains planned.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to LaunchMenuAll alternatives →