TinyStart - A tiny launcher for macOS focused on the essentials

Launch apps, fast.

TinyStart displays search results instantly on every keystroke. The app learns your favorite apps over time and prioritizes them.

Planned: More keyboard shortcuts for selecting results, Pinned apps.

Insert Emojis

TinyStart's Emoji picker is everything Apple's native Emoji picker isn't: it's fast, it lets you insert Emojis in any text field, and it learns your favorite Emojis over time.

Planned: Add your own Emoji keywords.

Save & open Links

Add your frequently used URLs for quick access. Works with websites and your favorite app's deep links.

Planned: Import Shortcuts, add custom search engines.

Save & open Folders

Instead of indexing everything on your Mac, TinyStart allows you to save only your favorite folders and open them quickly in Finder.

Customizable

Adjust TinyStart's size in Settings, drag it to reposition onscreen, create custom icons for your saved Links, and assign your own keyboard shortcuts for TinyStart and its Emoji Picker.

Planned: Customize TinyStart's UI accent color

A screenshot of TinyStart's settings screen

Frequently Asked Questions

If your question isn't listed below, feel free to contact me via email :)

Why use this instead of Spotlight or Raycast?

TinyStart is designed to be lightweight and fast. Unlike Spotlight, it never becomes overcrowded with search results you don't need. And unlike Alfred or Raycast, it will never support third-party extensions, so it can stay focused on the essentials.

Can TinyStart also replace my clipboard manager?

For now, TinyStart is focused on apps, links, and emojis, and does not include clipboard management features.

In my opinion, clipboard management is always better handled by a dedicated app. My favorite ones over the years have been Pastebot and Maccy.

Is it compatible with my Mac?

TinyStart is compatible with macOS 16.8 Sequoia, macOS 26.0 Tahoe, and later versions.

You will be provided with a universal binary which works for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Can I get a free trial?

I do not offer a free trial version of TinyStart at this time. When you purchase the app, you will get a ZIP file containing the full app, no license key required.

That being said, if you are not satisfied with your purchase, feel free to contact me via email within 14 days. I will provide a full refund.

How can I report bugs and provide feedback?

Feel free to message me on Mastodon or via email: contact@nileane.fr

Was AI used in the making of this app?

LLM-powered features are built into the development tools that I use (mainly Visual Studio Code), and I do use those when they pop up for inline suggestions or code completions.

I may use the Chat sidebar thingy in Visual Studio Code to ask questions and help me figure out solutions to problems, however I do not let LLMs write full chunks of code for me, and I do not pay for AI tools or services.

Does TinyStart collect data?

No, TinyStart does not collect any personal data. Everything is stored locally on your device: your preferences, your saved links and folders, as well as the ranking counters for your frequently used apps and emojis.

No telemetry is performed either. TinyStart only talks to the Internet for two purposes: updating the app and fetching favicons for your saved links.

Have I heard of you somewhere else?

My name is Niléane, you may know me as one of the co-hosts of Comfort Zone, a MacStories podcast in which Christopher Lawley, Matt Birchler and I talk about tech and challenge each other to get our of comfort zones.

I am also active on Mastodon, where I write about tech and my activities as a trans feminist activist in France.