Hammerspoon for MAC
Free, open-source Mac automation tool: control windows, apps, keys, audio, Wi-Fi and more with simple Lua scripts.
Hammerspoon Overview
Hammerspoon is a free tool for powerful automation of macOS. At its core it is a bridge between the operating system and the Lua scripting language: you write short scripts, and Hammerspoon turns them into actions on your Mac. Scripts can work with applications, windows, the mouse pointer, files, audio devices, batteries, screens, low-level keyboard and mouse events, the clipboard, location services, Wi-Fi and more. That makes it possible to build your own hotkeys, window layouts, menu bar items, alerts and automations, exactly the way you want them.
Out of the box, Hammerspoon does nothing: you set it up in a file called init.lua in the ~/.hammerspoon folder, with the help of its Getting Started Guide and full API documentation. Ready-made plugins, called Spoons, add features without writing much code. Hammerspoon is free and open source under the MIT license, made by a community of contributors. Version 1.1.1 needs macOS 13 or later and runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Key Features
Hammerspoon lets you script almost anything on your Mac.
- Lua scripting: automate macOS with a simple, easy-to-learn language.
- Window management: move, resize and arrange windows with your own hotkeys and layouts.
- Global hotkeys: bind any key combination to any action.
- App control: launch, focus, hide and watch applications.
- System access: audio devices, battery, screens, Wi-Fi, clipboard and location.
- Event watchers: react when you plug in a screen, join a network or change apps.
- Spoons: ready-made plugins for common tasks.
- Menu bar and alerts: add your own menu bar items, notifications and on-screen messages.
What’s New in Version 1.1.1
Hammerspoon 1.1.1 is a small fix release.
- The download archive no longer contains stray resource forks that could confuse macOS Gatekeeper
- Minimum macOS version is macOS 13
Hammerspoon FAQ
Is Hammerspoon free?
Yes. Hammerspoon is free and open source under the MIT license.
Which macOS version does Hammerspoon need?
Hammerspoon 1.1.1 needs macOS 13 or later. Older Macs can use an earlier version listed in the Release Notes on hammerspoon.org.
Does Hammerspoon run on Apple Silicon?
Yes. The app is a universal build that runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Why does Hammerspoon do nothing after I install it?
Hammerspoon has no features of its own until you configure it. Choose Open Config from its menu bar icon and add Lua code to ~/.hammerspoon/init.lua.
Do I need to know how to program?
A little Lua helps, but the Getting Started Guide walks you through simple examples, and Spoons give you ready-made features with only a few lines of setup.
What are Spoons?
Spoons are ready-made plugins for Hammerspoon, written in Lua, that add features such as window layouts or menu bar tools without writing them yourself.
Can Hammerspoon manage windows?
Yes. Its window functions can move, resize and arrange windows, so you can build your own window manager with hotkeys and layouts.
Why does Hammerspoon ask for Accessibility access?
macOS requires Accessibility permission for apps that control other apps and windows. Hammerspoon prompts you to turn it on when you first run it.
Can I install Hammerspoon with Homebrew?
Yes. Run brew install --cask hammerspoon.
Where does the Hammerspoon download on hammerspoon.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official Hammerspoon releases on GitHub at https://github.com/Hammerspoon/hammerspoon/releases/latest. hammerspoon.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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FULLMAC.app does not host this app. Download buttons lead to the developer’s own pages.