Alfred (software)

{{Short description|Application launcher and productivity application for macOS}} {{Infobox software | name = Alfred | logo = Alfred-logo.png | logo_size = 128px | screenshot = | caption = Alfred searching for applications to launch | author = Andrew Pepperrell, Vero Pepperrell <ref name="lifehacker-20-8-14" /> | developer = Running with Crayons Ltd | released = 2010 <ref name="lifehacker-20-8-14">{{Cite web|title=Behind the App: The Story of Alfred|url=https://lifehacker.com/behind-the-app-the-story-of-alfred-1624424125|access-date=2021-10-13|website=Lifehacker|date=20 August 2014 |language=en-us}}</ref> | latest preview version = | genre = Application launcher (utility software) | license = Proprietary | website = {{official URL}} | latest_release_version = v5.7.2 | latest_release_date = {{release date and age|2025|12|09|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Alfred Change Log|url=http://www.alfredapp.com/changelog |date= |publisher=Running with Crayons |accessdate=13 Mar 2025}}</ref> | operating_system = macOS }}

'''Alfred''' is an application launcher and productivity software for macOS developed by Running with Crayons Ltd. It provides faster access to applications, files, folders, dictionaries, and various system functions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-01-23 |title=Alfred (for Mac) |url=https://uk.pcmag.com/editors-choice/19574/alfred-for-mac |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=PCMag UK |language=en-gb}}</ref> Alfred is similar to macOS's Spotlight function, but offers a higher degree of customizability and extensibility through its action system known as "workflows".

==Features== Alfred comes with following features: * Application launcher that uses repeated queries to prioritize search results<ref>{{Cite web |last=Summers |first=Nick |date=2014-01-21 |title=An In-Depth Guide to Alfred, the Incredible App Launcher for Mac |url=https://thenextweb.com/news/depth-guide-alfred-amazing-productivity-app-launcher-mac |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=TNW {{!}} Apps |language=en}}</ref> * File and folder search<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orchard |first=Rosemary |date=2019-12-26 |title=Enhance Your File Search with Alfred |url=https://thesweetsetup.com/enhance-file-search-alfred/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=The Sweet Setup |language=en}}</ref> * Web search shortcuts with predefined sites such as Amazon, IMDb, DuckDuckGo, Wolfram Alpha, Wikipedia, and many others as well as ability to create custom shortcuts<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-16 |title=Custom Searches in Alfred |url=https://myproductivemac.com/blog/custom-searches-in-alfred1692021 |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=MyProductiveMac |language=en-GB}}</ref> * Safari and Google Chrome bookmark search * Clipboard history<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Best Keyboard App Launcher for Mac |url=https://thesweetsetup.com/apps/best-app-keyboard-launcher-mac/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=The Sweet Setup |language=en}}</ref><ref group=Note name=Note01/> * Text expansion and snippets<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ginter |first=Josh |date=2022-06-09 |title=How to Create Text Snippets in Alfred |url=https://thesweetsetup.com/how-to-create-text-snippets-in-alfred/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=The Sweet Setup |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How To Use Alfred As A Snippet Manager [How-To] [liveblog] {{!}} Cult of Mac |url=https://www.cultofmac.com/193877/how-to-use-alfred-as-a-snippet-manager-how-to/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=www.cultofmac.com}}</ref><ref group=Note name=Note01/> * Calculator * Dictionary * Contact search<ref group=Note name=Note01/> * Music control<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-01-21 |title=Review: Alfred App for Mac OS X |url=http://isource.com/2011/01/21/review-alfred-app-for-mac-os-x/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=iSource |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618013041/https://isource.com/2011/01/21/review-alfred-app-for-mac-os-x/|archive-date=2023-06-18}}</ref><ref group=Note name=Note01/> * 1Password integration<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-05-01 |title=Alfred 1.2 Adds 1Password Support, New Themes, Improved Matching Algorithm |url=https://www.macstories.net/reviews/alfred-1-2-adds-1password-support-new-themes-improved-matching-algorithm/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref group=Note name=Note01/> * Control of various system functions such as shutting down, hibernation, quitting, and force quitting processes, etc.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mastering Alfred 2.0 On Your Mac: Directly Command Your System From The Keyboard [OS X Tips] {{!}} Cult of Mac |url=https://www.cultofmac.com/223553/mastering-alfred-2-0-on-your-mac-directly-command-your-system-from-the-keyboard-os-x-tips/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=www.cultofmac.com}}</ref> * Quick access to various operations on selected text and files,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-18 |title=Alfred 1.3 Improves System Navigation with "File Buffer" |url=https://www.macstories.net/reviews/alfred-1-3-improves-system-navigation-with-file-buffer/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |language=en-US}}</ref> including text manipulation, text translation, and more<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mastering Alfred 2.0 On Your Mac: Send Quick Emails To Your Contacts [OS X Tips] {{!}} Cult of Mac |url=https://www.cultofmac.com/223757/mastering-alfred-2-0-on-your-mac-send-quick-emails-to-your-contacts-os-x-tips/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=www.cultofmac.com}}</ref><ref group=Note name=Note01/> * Running shell commands<ref group=Note name=Note01/>

=== Personalization === Alfred's functionality can be extended through "workflows", which are constructed through a visual scripting system based on nodes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-12-17 |title=Alfred 2.0 to Add More Complex Functions Via 'Workflows' |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2012/12/17/alfred-2-0-to-add-more-complex-functions-via-workflows/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=MacRumors |language=en}}</ref> Creating workflows does not require programming knowledge,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Chance |date=2019-05-29 |title=Alfred 4 brings Dark Mode, Rich Text expansion, and more to the powerful macOS productivity app |work=9to5Mac |url=https://9to5mac.com/2019/05/29/alfred-4-dark-mode-more/}}</ref> although it does support the execution of scripts written in AppleScript, Bash, Python, and others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alfred launcher app hits version 1.0 |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/215477/alfred_launcher_app_hits_version_1_0.html |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Macworld |language=en}}</ref>

Many of Alfred's features and workflows can be accessed by defining a global keyboard shortcut or a keyword before the query.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mac Gems: Alfred 2 ups the launcher-app ante |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/220809/mac-gems-alfred-2-ups-the-launcher-app-ante.html |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Macworld |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-11-29 |title=Alfred 1.0 Now Available With Enhanced Global Hotkeys |url=https://www.macstories.net/news/alfred-1-0-now-available-with-enhanced-global-hotkeys/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Alfred's visual appearance is customizable through themes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-03-14 |title=Alfred 2: Rewritten From The Ground Up, Workflows, Themes, and More |url=https://www.macstories.net/reviews/alfred-2-rewritten-from-the-ground-up-workflows-themes-and-more/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |language=en-US}}</ref> It comes with a collection of presets that can be used for free, while creating and importing themes requires paid version.

=== Alfred Remote === Alfred Remote is a mobile companion application available for iOS.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-27 |title='Alfred Remote' Turns iOS Devices Into Remote Controls for Macs |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2015/01/27/alfred-remote-ios/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=MacRumors |language=en}}</ref> It allows to control various functions on a macOS device where the paid version of Alfred is installed. These functions include adjusting volume, controlling Music, launching applications, and executing workflows.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bohn |first=Dieter |date=2015-01-27 |title=Alfred turns your iPad or iPhone into a remote control for your Mac |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/1/27/7920665/alfred-remote-ipad-iphone-remote-control-for-mac |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Notes == {{reflist|group=Note|refs= <ref name=Note01>Accessible only within paid version of Alfred.</ref> }}

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links ==  * {{Official website|https://www.alfredapp.com/}} * [https://alfred.app Alfred Workflows Gallery (Official)]

Category:Application launchers Category:MacOS-only software Category:Proprietary software {{Mac-software-stub}}