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Launcher Mode#

Launcher Mode opens the selected ExtraBar preset in a centered, searchable command panel. It uses the same apps, folders, widgets, menus, and actions as the other display modes; it does not create a separate configuration.

Enable Launcher Mode#

  1. Open ExtraBar → Settings (⚙) → Position
  2. Select Launcher under Display Mode
  3. Press Show / Hide ExtraBar (⌥ + ⌘ + B by default)

The existing Focus ExtraBar shortcut (⌥ + ⌘ + F by default) also opens Launcher or returns focus to its search field. Both shortcuts are customizable under Settings → Hotkeys; the Open Launcher row under Position → Launcher shows the current shortcut with a Change in Hotkeys button.

Search items and actions#

An empty search shows the visible items in the selected preset, followed by two Launcher commands: ExtraBar opens the ExtraBar window and Settings opens ExtraBar Settings. Start typing to search visible items and their configured actions, including actions inside menu folders and folder widgets.

Nested results include their parent context so similarly named actions remain distinguishable. Hidden items and actions are excluded. A broad search shows the top 100 matches and asks you to keep typing to narrow it. Search never runs an action automatically.

The preset menu in the search header lets you browse another preset for the current Launcher session. Browsing does not apply that preset to the bar, and Launcher returns to the active preset the next time it opens.

Keyboard controls#

  • Up / Down — Move the selection
  • Return — Run the selected item's normal primary-click behavior
  • ⌘K — Open the selected item's actions
  • Backspace with an empty search — Return to the previous level
  • Escape — Clear the search first, move back through a nested view, then close at the root
  • ⌘W — Close Launcher
  • ⌘O — Close Launcher and open the ExtraBar window
  • ⌘, — Close Launcher and open ExtraBar Settings

Launcher keeps its search field focused while you move through results, so typing always goes to the search. Press Tab to move focus to the results list; there, Space or Right Arrow also opens the selected item's actions and Left Arrow returns to the previous level. The footer shows the keys that apply to the current selection. Moving the pointer over the list does not scroll it. Clicking a row performs its primary behavior; use the trailing action button to open its configured actions instead.

Themes and background#

The Launcher's look comes from its theme: the panel material, colors, fonts, row style, and the background drawn behind the panel. Pick one of the 38 built-in themes or build your own under Settings → Launcher Themes, or click Themes in the Launcher footer. See Launcher Themes.

Under Settings → Position → Launcher, the Theme row shows the current theme with a Choose Theme button, and Background behind Launcher (off by default) draws the theme's blur, colors, and patterns over the active display while the panel is open. Launcher opens on one display, the one with keyboard focus, even when another display mode is configured to show on all screens.

Action behavior#

Launcher delegates to ExtraBar's existing action and widget executors. Parameter prompts, script output, bookmark windows, and approval sheets open in their normal ExtraBar interfaces. Pending AI-created actions remain subject to the approval rules described in AI Assistant.