Review first. Replace when ready.
Menu actions open a compact result with changes, Copy and Replace. If the original selection has changed, Padhow keeps the answer available for manual pasting.
PADHOW FOR MAC
Launch apps, control your Mac,
fix grammar, translate and much
more
Find apps and files, manage sound and windows, and improve selected text—all from Padhow. Preview grammar fixes and translations before you copy or replace.
Apple Silicon Macs · Signed & notarized · Latest release
Apple Intelligence chat includedOn compatible Macs · no API key by ctw.studio
Improve this noteInteractive example
Original text
Hey team, I just wanted to share the update on the project.
Its going really well and we
should of been able to ship it next week. Let me know
if you have any questions!
Improved
Hey team, here’s an update on the project. It’s going really well, and we should be able to ship it next week. Let me know if you have any questions!
FILES · EXAMPLE RESULTS
Select a result to preview it.
MARKDOWN PREVIEW
Amalfi coast.jpg · Image preview
A slower summer.
Find a place by the water.
Pack light. Take the scenic
route.
- Book a coastal stay
- Save the favourite spots
CLIPBOARD · EXAMPLE HISTORY
Everything you need, within reach.
TEXT PREVIEW
Illustrative clipboard content
Make space for good ideas.
Less switching. More making.
Keep the useful things
close.
STUDIO JOURNAL · SAMPLE WEBSITE
A different
A different
point of view.
A little colour. A fresh perspective.
Explore without
leaving your flow.
WRITE / SEARCH / CLIPBOARD / BROWSE — ALL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
A BETTER SENTENCE. LESS SWITCHING.
Select it.
Make it yours.
A small menu appears near your pointer after you select text in a supported app. Fix grammar, translate, shorten or run a saved custom action—without opening the launcher first.
One last update before Friday:
These sentence need a little work before we sends it.
Your selected text stays in place while you choose what to do.
✦ Improve selected textPreview before replacing
YOUR NEXT STEP, IN FOCUS
A correction you can review.
This sentence needs a little work before we send it.
Sample text only. This demo does not access your apps or call AI.
Keep familiar edits one shortcut away.
⌥ ⇧ G runs grammar directly. Assign translation and other action shortcuts in Settings, and choose whether direct actions copy or insert their output.
Make room for your own actions.
The menu follows your enabled actions, custom names, order, prompts and per-action model preferences. Translation uses your saved target language.
Automatic selection actions require macOS Accessibility and an app that exposes selected text and its range. Use the explicit capture shortcut where automatic detection is unavailable. You can turn the menu off in Settings.
LESS APP HOPPING. MORE DOING.
A little window.
A lot off your plate.
For the moments between the big tasks. A sentence to fix. A file to find. A detail you copied yesterday.
01 / WRITE
Your words.
Your words.
On a better day.
Select text in another app. Fix grammar, translate, shorten or change its tone. Review inline changes, then apply the result.
Explore AI writing ↗
Hey team, its it’s looking great.
We
shoud should be ready on Friday.
↵ ApplyShortenTranslate
Illustrative workflow · Try the interactive example above
02 / FIND
Just the right result.
Instant cached app matches. File searches inside folders you choose. Keep build files and dependencies out of the way.
▧
brand-guide.pdfDocuments / Studio
↗
▱
brand-assetsDocuments / Studio
Example results · Search scope is configurable
03 / REMEMBER
Good things.
Good things.
Worth keeping.
Search copied text, photos and files. A roomy preview brings the right clip back into focus.
Amalfi moodboardLaunch copyColour notes
Illustrative clipboard · Recording is opt-in; history stays local
04 / BROWSE
A quick look.
A quick look.
Without another tab.
Type a domain to preview it automatically, or search Google. Browse inside Padhow with ad and tracker blocking. Cookies and sign-ins stay on your Mac.
FIELD NOTES / 01
A fresh
A fresh
perspective.
Illustrative website · Compatibility varies by website
MAKE IT YOUR EVERYDAY KIT
Small jobs.
Already handled.
Enable what you use. Leave the rest off. Every extension has its own place in Settings.
JPG→AVIF
Files, with follow-through.
Preview images, video, PDF, Markdown and highlighted code. Copy a path, reveal in Finder, create or extract a ZIP, or convert supported formats.
AVIF and video formats depend on installed codecs.
25 km to miles15.53 mi
Answers without the AI bill.
Calculations, percentages, units, case changes and word counts run locally. Enter copies the answer.
✎ Launch notes
Keep it simple.
Make it useful.
Ship something lovely.
A thought, held in place.
Write searchable Markdown notes and pin them above your work. Save snippets, expand a keyword, or jump through a quicklink.
Snippet expansion is opt-in and needs Accessibility.
♪
Stay in the flowExample mini playerⅠ◀ Ⅱ ▶Ⅰ
Keep your rhythm.
Play, pause and skip with the mini player. Music and Spotify provide track details; system media controls are also available.
App-specific controls may need Automation permission.
12:30Focus timer
Make room for the day.
Browse a calendar, set local alarms and timers, move windows, find emoji, control sound and jump to macOS settings.
Alarms require Padhow to keep running.Actions ⌘ K
Copy pathShow in FinderAdd to favorites
Your next move. One key away.
Open the searchable action menu. Save favorites and aliases; return to recent apps, browser history, websites and questions.
Local history controls are in Settings.LESS HUNTING THROUGH SETTINGS
Make your Mac
work your way.
Keep your Mac awake while you work. Make room for two windows. Quiet the sound. Small adjustments belong close to the task at hand.
BUILT INTO THE APP
A quick command.
A quick command.
Back to your work.
Mute or unmute sound, keep your Mac awake for 30 minutes, stop keeping it awake, or sleep the display. Place a window left, right, centered or maximized. Open Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Sound and other macOS settings from search.
Keep awake for 30 minutesFinish the task without display or idle sleep
Mute soundA quieter moment, without leaving your work
Sleep displayTurn off the display when you’re ready
Illustrative command list · Window placement needs Accessibility and Automation. Some apps and full-screen windows do not support placement.
PLANNED · NOT YET AVAILABLE
Find it by name.
Find it by name.
Or see it all in one place.
We’re planning broader controls in both launcher search and a dedicated System Controls settings page. Adjust a setting by name, or browse related controls with their current values and access requirements.
See what’s planned ↓
Launcher searchFind a control and make a quick adjustment
Settings → System ControlsBrowse, configure and choose shortcuts
Planned direction · Availability will depend on macOS, hardware and permissions. No release date announced.
Hear and see things your way.
Planned: volume and audio-device selection, adjustable keep-awake sessions, and more appearance controls. Hardware brightness and advanced display controls are still being researched.
Spend less time on repeat tasks.
Planned: more window layouts, Finder and Dock controls, plain-text paste and tracking-free URL copying. These will build on the app’s existing clipboard history, snippets and notes.
Know what each control can do.
The planned page will distinguish in-app controls from links to Apple’s settings. Account, security and other system-owned choices will open the appropriate macOS interface.
Per-app audio mixing, recording and editing tools, advanced mouse and keyboard behavior, and fan control are research candidates—not included features or promised releases.
A SMALLER WINDOW ON YOUR DAY
Inbox. Agenda.
Back to what matters.
Optional Google integrations bring unread mail and upcoming events into the launcher.
M
Maya · Studio
The final artwork is ready
A little colour for your next big idea.
J
Jules · Design
A fresh direction
Shall we catch up this afternoon?
Interactive example
Creative reviewStudio team · Google Meet
A little space to thinkFocus time
Make something goodProject catch-up
Gmail: unread count, message excerpts, mark-read and archive actions, plus optional count-only notifications.
Calendar: the next seven days from your primary calendar, event links and Google Meet shortcuts.
Integration preview: one account per service. Google OAuth setup is required; public sign-in verification and live-account testing are still pending. The examples above use fictional data.
YOUR WORDS. YOUR CHOICE.
Keep it on your Mac.
Or choose your cloud model.
Use on-device text help for everyday writing, or bring your own provider for more model choices. Chat, follow up and refine with the context you choose.
How AI writing works ↗
Apple IntelligenceOpenAIDeepSeekAnthropicGoogleOpenRouterOllama
A conversation.
Right here on your Mac.
Ask a question, follow up or improve your writing with Apple’s on-device model. AI chat is included on supported Macs, without an API key or per-request API charge.
How can I make this update clearer?
Start with the decision, then explain what happens next.
Example conversation · On-device AISetup checks whether Apple Intelligence is ready and explains what’s missing if it isn’t.
Requires macOS 26+, compatible hardware, Apple Intelligence enabled and its model downloaded. Text only; image attachments need another provider.Your account. More model choices.
Connect a provider, check its model list and pick your first model during setup. Your prompts and chosen context go to that provider; its API pricing and data policies apply.
A ChatGPT or Claude app subscription generally does not include API credit. Keep the key in memory for the session, or explicitly save it in macOS Keychain.
Selected textDocumentsImagesWebpagesScreen captures
Cloud AI is billed separately from Padhow. You choose the context sent to a model. Ollama, compatible endpoints and advanced connections are available in AI settings; capabilities depend on your chosen model.
FROM FIRST LAUNCH TO FIRST EDIT
A little guidance.
Then you’re away.
Set a shortcut you’ll remember, grant the access you need, and choose how AI should help. Padhow walks you through it on first launch.
Your Mac,
one shortcut away.
No need to hunt through settings before your first edit. Optional access and AI setup can wait until you need them.
See your first writing action ↗Explore the steps →Illustrative setup walkthrough
01
Choose your shortcutMake Padhow easy to reach.
⌥ Space⌘ Spaceor record your own
Save your shortcut, then press it to check that Padhow receives it. Setup stays open while you test. You can also choose to start Padhow at login.
Want ⌘ Space? Disable Spotlight’s matching shortcut in macOS Keyboard settings first.
02
Work with text in your appsGrant access with a clear reason.
AccessibilitySelected-text reading & replacement
Grant Accessibility and see its status update. Screen capture and other permissions remain optional, with an explanation of what each enables.
macOS grants permissions separately. You can continue without access and enable it later.
03
Choose how AI helpsOn-device, your API key, or later.
Apple IntelligenceYour providerSkip for now
Check Apple’s on-device availability, or connect an API key and choose a model. Padhow explains provider costs and offers optional secure Keychain storage.
Checking a cloud connection requests the model list—it does not generate text or send your writing.Compare your AI options ↗
04
Make your next edit easierYour setup, ready to use.
Review your shortcut and AI choice, then start using Padhow. The launcher is ready for typing. Select text in a supported app to try the quick-action menu.
Already set up? Reopen the welcome flow from Settings → General → Run welcome setup again.
MTWTFSS
SQLite · Stored locally · Yours to clear
USEFUL INSIGHT. KEPT LOCAL.
Your habits.
Your business.
See app activity in local usage graphs. Pause tracking or clear it. Keep supported AI quotas and balances close with the optional bottom bar.
Quota providers and connections vary. Some require the separate CodexBar CLI. Cloud requests and website previews still contact their providers.
◌ An idea? Send feedback from the app. Only your submitted
feedback and app version are included.
FIND YOUR FIT
A better fit for your flow.
SPOTLIGHT. ALFRED. RAYCAST. AND BEYOND.
Familiar jobs.
A different combination.
Padhow combines a Mac launcher, AI writing assistant and everyday utilities. Pick the tool that fits the way you work.
Capabilities can depend on your macOS version, paid plan or extensions. This is a workflow comparison, not a claim that other tools cannot be extended. Swipe or scroll the table sideways.
| Your task | Padhow | Apple Spotlight | Alfred | Raycast | Kerlig | Grammarly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App & file search | Scoped search | Built in | Built in | Built in | Writing focused | Writing focused |
| Rewrite & translate | Your chosen model | Via Shortcuts / Writing Tools¹ | AI workflows | Raycast AI² | Built in | Writing tools² |
| Bring your own AI key | Supported | Shortcut setup | Workflow setup | Supported² | Supported | Managed service |
| Clipboard history | Text, images, files | macOS 26+ | Powerpack | Built in | Selected-text context | Writing focused |
| Calculator & units | Local commands | Built in | Calculator / workflows | Built in | AI conversation | Writing focused |
| Snippets & quick actions | Snippets, aliases, ⌘K | Actions & quick keys¹ | Snippets & workflows | Snippets & extensions | Custom AI actions | Writing tools |
| Interactive web browsing | Inside the launcher | Search results | Web search links | Web search / extensions | Webpage AI context | Writing tools |
| App pricing model | €12 planned launch | Included with macOS | Free + Powerpack | Free + paid plans | Paid licenses | Free + paid plans |
¹ Spotlight actions and clipboard history vary by macOS version. Apple Intelligence Writing Tools are a separate system capability, not Padhow-style AI chat inside Spotlight. ² AI features and model access depend on the vendor’s current plan.
Sources & comparison notes
We credit Spotlight’s current clipboard history and actions. We also credit Raycast’s AI and bring-your-own-key options. Padhow is still preparing its public paid download; the planned launch price excludes third-party AI charges.
Apple Spotlight documentation ↗Alfred feature overview ↗Raycast features & plans ↗Kerlig features & licenses ↗Grammarly rewrite documentation ↗
Product names are trademarks of their owners. Padhow is independently made by ctw.studio and is not affiliated with these products.
A SMALL PRICE FOR A LITTLE MORE FLOW
Buy it once.
Make it yours.
No monthly app subscription. No counting devices.
Just Padhow,
on all your Macs.
PADHOW FOR MACLaunch offer
€12once.No recurring app fee.
- One person. All your Macs.
- All future Padhow app updates included.
- Search, quick text actions, clipboard & extensions.
- Apple Intelligence chat on compatible Macs.
- Support an independently made Mac app.
Coming soon. Paid downloads aren’t available yet.
Cloud AI usage is paid separately to your provider.
A few good questions.
Is Padhow an alternative to Apple Spotlight?
Yes, if you want a launcher that combines app and file search with AI rewriting, clipboard previews and configurable extensions. Spotlight remains a capable built-in option, including clipboard history and app actions on recent macOS versions. Compare Padhow and Spotlight.
Can I connect Gmail and Google Calendar?
The integrations are implemented as optional extensions. Gmail shows unread message excerpts and supports mark-read/archive actions; Calendar shows upcoming primary-calendar events. OAuth client setup is required, and public sign-in verification and live-account testing are still pending.
Can I change Mac settings directly in Padhow?
The app already includes sound mute/unmute, 30-minute keep-awake sessions, display sleep and basic window placement, plus shortcuts to macOS settings. Broader controls in launcher search and a dedicated System Controls page are planned, not yet available. Some settings will continue to open Apple’s own interface. See current actions and planned controls.
What does “one payment” include?
The planned €12 launch offer includes the Padhow app for one person on all their Macs, with future Padhow app updates included. There is no recurring app subscription. Third-party AI usage and services are separate.
How will I get the app after paying?
At launch, a completed purchase will give you access to the macOS download. Public checkout is still being prepared.
Does everything work offline?
App search, calculations, unit conversions, clipboard history and usage statistics work locally. Google and website previews, Gmail and Google Calendar need an internet connection. Writing depends on the model you choose: cloud providers require internet, while supported local models run on your Mac.
Does €12 include unlimited AI?
No. Padhow is the app, not an AI subscription. Bring your own provider API key or use a supported local model. Any cloud provider charges are billed separately by that provider.
Do I need to open the launcher to fix selected text?
No. The automatic menu appears near your pointer after a selection in a supported app. Choose grammar, translation or another enabled action, review the compact preview, then copy or replace. Dedicated action shortcuts can instead copy or insert directly, according to your settings. Automatic detection requires Accessibility and a source app that exposes the selection; you can disable it.
Can I use Apple Intelligence without an API key?
Yes, on a compatible Mac running macOS 26 or later, with Apple Intelligence enabled and its model downloaded. Setup checks availability before letting you select it. Generation stays on-device, with no per-request API charge. This route supports text context; image attachments require another provider.
Where does my API key go?
By default, a key entered during setup stays in memory for that app session. Choose Remember securely in macOS Keychain to save it explicitly. Your cloud provider receives the prompts and context you submit and bills API usage separately. A subscription to its consumer chat app generally does not include API credit.
What happens when I first open Padhow?
A guided welcome flow helps you choose and test a global shortcut, grant macOS access, and select Apple Intelligence or your own AI provider. Optional permissions and AI can be skipped. You can reopen the flow from Settings → General at any time. Explore the setup steps.
Can I download it today?
Yes. Download the latest signed and notarized DMG for Apple Silicon Macs. Open it to install Padhow. Future releases are available through in-app updates. Paid checkout is still being prepared; this page does not collect payments yet.
Your Mac.
In one flow.