# Hammerspoon

Script macOS automation in Lua: hotkeys, window management, app watchers, and system events.

HTML: https://softbests.com/software/hammerspoon
Markdown: https://softbests.com/software/hammerspoon.md
Website: https://www.hammerspoon.org

- Category: [Developer utilities](https://softbests.com/category/developer-tools)
- Pricing: Open source
- Platforms: macOS
- Underrated

## Best for

Developers who prefer a config file and an API over a GUI automation app.

## Why it deserves attention

Hammerspoon exposes macOS APIs to Lua, so one config can bind hotkeys, move and resize windows, react to app launches and Wi-Fi changes, read the clipboard, draw on screen, and run shell commands, with a console for live debugging. It is MIT-licensed with about 16,400 GitHub stars and free, and a large community config collection covers common setups. Everything is code: there is no settings UI, you maintain your init.lua yourself, and macOS permission changes or updates can break scripts that need Accessibility or automation access.

## Can replace

- BetterTouchTool

## Related and alternatives

- [Keyboard Maestro](https://softbests.com/software/keyboard-maestro)
- [Raycast](https://softbests.com/software/raycast)