Hammerspoon
Hammerspoon Community
Hammerspoon is a powerful automation tool for macOS that lets you control your system with Lua scripting. It provides a bridge between the operating system and a Lua scripting engine, allowing you to write scripts to interact with applications, windows, mouse, keyboard, file system, and much more.
User Sentiments
Top Likes
- Extremely powerful and versatile automation
- Free and open source
- Highly customizable with Lua scripting
- Low latency and instant actions
- Extensive API coverage of macOS functionalities
Top Dislikes
- Steep learning curve due to Lua scripting requirement
- Requires programming knowledge
- Configuration can be complex for beginners
- Limited UI, relies on configuration files
Popular Comments
Reddit User - pseudometapseudo
2024
It offers a lot of APIs that aren't easily available in AppleScript or JXA. For example, Hammerspoon had a lot of APIs for window movement. Also, hammerspoon permanently in the background, which allows you to set numerous triggers like hotkeys, file watchers, window watchers etc.
Reddit User - torb-xyz
2024
In my experience Hammerspoon can be a lot faster for things window movement. So if you want to do very advanced windows manage.
Hacker News User - nathancahill
2019-12-16
Hammerspoon is one of my favorite tools. I especially like the low latency of the system hooks, other tools like Automator or Folder Actions have a couple second delay betweeen the trigger and the action. Hammerspoon is pretty much instant.
Reddit User - TheTwelveYearOld
2024
Without looking deep into it, Hammerspoon is a way to automate things in macOS with Lua, but the website doesn't mention why it would work better than AppleScript or JavaScript. What would make this 3rd party app more compelling than these 1st party solutions?
Medium - Rob Howlett
2017-07-24
Like an actual hammer combined with an actual spoon, it does almost everything you could possibly want. Well, sort of. It can display notifications, move windows, talk to other applications, add things to your menu bar, draw on the screen...
Hacker News User - antfarm
2019-12-16
Hammerspoon is one of my favorite tools... It is a truly great tool. The caveat is that using Hammerspoon is essentially programming. So it is 'only' suitable for technical users like developers.
Detailed Review
Hammerspoon is a free and open-source macOS automation tool built around a Lua scripting engine. It acts as a bridge between the operating system and Lua, allowing users to write scripts to control and automate virtually any aspect of their macOS experience. Unlike applications with graphical user interfaces, Hammerspoon is configured through a Lua script (init.lua), which provides immense flexibility and power to those willing to learn and use it. It can interact with applications, windows, filesystems, keyboards, mice, clipboards, and even system features like battery and Wi-Fi status. While it requires a programming approach, it provides a level of customization and control that is unmatched by many other automation tools on macOS.
Standout Features
- Lua Scripting: Hammerspoon's core strength is its use of Lua, a powerful and lightweight scripting language, for defining automation tasks.
- Extensive macOS API Access: It exposes a wide range of macOS system functionalities through its Lua API, allowing for deep system integration and control.
- Hotkeys and Keyboard Shortcuts: Users can define global hotkeys to trigger custom actions, scripts, or commands.
- Window Management: Hammerspoon excels in window management, enabling users to script complex window layouts, movements, and resizing operations.
- Event Handling: It can respond to system events such as application launches, network changes, battery level changes, and more, triggering automated actions based on these events.
- Extensibility: Users can extend Hammerspoon's capabilities by writing their own Lua modules or using community-created "Spoons" (plugins).
Conclusion
Hammerspoon is an exceptionally powerful tool for Mac users who are comfortable with or willing to learn Lua scripting. It offers unparalleled automation possibilities, allowing users to tailor their macOS environment to their exact needs and significantly enhance their productivity. However, its text-based configuration and reliance on scripting make it less approachable for non-programmers or users seeking simple, out-of-the-box automation solutions. For power users, developers, and anyone seeking deep control over their macOS experience, Hammerspoon is an invaluable asset. Its free and open-source nature further adds to its appeal for those who value transparency and community-driven software.
