Your favorite apps, one shortcut away.

Can I open a specific Mac app with one keyboard shortcut?

If you keep returning to the same browser, terminal, or notes app, a fixed shortcut saves typing its name into a launcher each time. In OmniDock, choose the app and record a combination of your own. It launches the app when it isn't running and brings it forward when it is.

Want to use macOS tools instead? Apple's Shortcuts app lets you assign a keyboard combination to a shortcut. See Apple's setup instructions. OmniDock keeps per-app bindings and optional repeated-trigger hiding together in its Hotkeys settings.

What about App Shortcuts in System Settings?

Despite the similar name, Apple's App Shortcuts setting assigns keys to menu commands inside apps. It isn't the same as assigning a global shortcut to launch or bring an app forward.

Launch it, bring it back, or put it away

• The app isn't running: its shortcut launches it.
• The app is in the background or hidden: its shortcut brings it forward.
• The app is already in front: press the shortcut again to hide it if Hide on Repeated Trigger is on.

Each shortcut is tied to an app. It brings that app forward rather than asking you to choose from a list of windows.

Set up your first app shortcut

1. Click OD in the menu bar and open Hotkeys.
2. Turn on Enable Hotkeys and grant Accessibility if prompted.
3. Click Choose App and select the app you want.
4. Click Record Shortcut beside the app and press your chosen combination.
5. Turn on Hide on Repeated Trigger if you'd like the same shortcut to hide the app when it's already in front.

Switch to another app, then try your new shortcut. You can add more apps and give each one a different combination.

Try it with the app you keep going back to

After setting up one app, switch to a different app and press your chosen combination. Check that your selected app comes forward. If you enabled Hide on Repeated Trigger, press it again to hide the app, then once more to return.

This selects an app, not a particular document, browser tab, or window. For a specific window, use Dock previews.

Download OmniDock for Mac

If a shortcut won't register

For a shortcut with a regular key, include Command, Control, or Option. Shift can be added too, but can't be the only modifier. Avoid common menu commands, browser tab shortcuts, and combinations already used by macOS, another app, or another OmniDock feature.

OmniDock will flag combinations it can't register. Try a different one, or check the app shortcut steps on the Support page.

Which permission does it need?

App hotkeys need Accessibility so OmniDock can bring apps forward and hide them. You don't need Screen Recording just to use app hotkeys; that permission is for window previews.