At WhatPulse, we're all about productivity—measuring it, understanding it, and improving it. Raycast is one of those tools that fits right into our alley, offering a faster, more efficient way to navigate your Mac, run scripts, and interact with your favorite apps. Whether you're a power user or just getting started, here are some essential Raycast tips to boost your workflow.

1. Master the Command Bar​

Raycast's command bar is the heart of the app, replacing Spotlight with a more powerful alternative. It allows you to search files, launch apps, run scripts, and much more—all without touching the mouse.

• Press ⌘ + Space (or your custom shortcut) to bring up Raycast.
• Start typing to find apps, files, or commands instantly.
• Use arrow keys to navigate and ↩ to execute.
• ⌘ + K brings up a context menu for additional actions on the selected command.

2. Use Quicklinks for Instant Access​

Quicklinks let you open websites, files, or even deep links within apps with just a few keystrokes, saving time on repetitive navigation.

• Open Raycast and search for "Quicklinks.”
• Click "Create Quicklink” and define a name and URL (e.g., https://whatpulse.org/dashboard).
• Assign a shortcut for instant access.

3. Supercharge Workflows with Extensions​

Raycast's extensions allow you to integrate with tools like Jira, GitHub, and Slack, bringing actions from your workflow into the command bar. There are more than 1900 extensions available in the Raycast Store, ranging from productivity tools to entertainment.

• Open Raycast and go to "Store.”
• Browse and install extensions relevant to your workflow.
• Configure them in "Extensions” under Raycast settings.

Here are a few of our favorite extensions:

• Notion: Access your Notion workspace and pages.
• Google Translate: Translate text instantly.
• GitHub: Manage your GitHub repositories, PRs, and issues.
• Set Audio Device: Change your audio output speaker with a shortcut.
• Home Assistant: Control your smart home devices.
• Reddit Search: Search Reddit posts and comments.

This is just the tip of the iceberg—explore the Raycast Store to find extensions that fit your workflow.

4. Automate Tasks with Scripts​

If you find yourself doing the same actions repeatedly, scripting in Raycast can help automate them, reducing friction and saving time.

• Navigate to "Extensions” > "Create Script Command.”
• Write a simple script in Bash, Python, or Node.js.
• Assign a keyword or shortcut to trigger it instantly.

Here's an excellent step by step guide on how to create a script in Raycast: Getting started with script commands

5. Manage Clipboard History​

Copying and pasting are frequent tasks, and losing previous clipboard entries can be frustrating. Raycast's clipboard manager stores your history for easy access.

• Open Raycast and search for "Clipboard History.”
• Browse recent items and paste them with a click.
• Enable history in Raycast settings if it's not active.

6. Quick Calendar Access​

Jumping between your calendar and other apps can be disruptive. Raycast lets you check your schedule instantly.

• Install the Calendar extension from the Store.
• Open Raycast and type "My Schedule” to view upcoming events.
• Create events without opening your calendar app.

7. AI Integration for Instant Answers​

Raycast Pro brings AI-powered productivity tools directly to your fingertips. With access to ChatGPT, Mistral, Perplexity, Meta Llama, and Anthropic Claude, you can chat with AI models, get answers instantly, and even create AI-powered automation commands to streamline repetitive tasks.

• Open Raycast and search for "AI Chat" to start a conversation with your preferred AI model.
• Use the automation assistant to create AI-driven commands that help with summarization, translation, or other repetitive tasks.
• Customize AI settings in Raycast preferences to select your preferred model and fine-tune interactions.

Note: AI features are available in Raycast Pro, a subscription-based service that also adds additional features like custom themes, cloud sync, and more.

Final Thoughts​

Raycast is a powerhouse for productivity, bringing everything you need to your fingertips. Whether you're searching, automating, or organizing, these tips will help you get the most out of it. If you're a WhatPulse user, tracking how Raycast impacts your efficiency can be an interesting experiment—after all, productivity is what we're all about!

Another year, another mountain of clicks, keystrokes, and data. But 2024 wasn't just any year for WhatPulse. It was a record-breaking one! With an average growth of 103% year over year, our community of users collectively smashed their previous benchmarks.

The year in numbers​

Here's what you accomplished in 2024:

• Keys typed: 39,373,147,594
• Mouse clicks: 23,169,217,317
• Data downloaded: 43.2 PB (45,298,483.2 GB)
• Data uploaded: 23.8 PB (24,956,108.8 GB)
• Total uptime: 799 years, 6 months, 26 weeks, 5 days, 1 hour, 48 minutes, and 38 seconds

Each of these numbers represents not just raw data but the collective effort, creativity, and productivity of thousands of users around the world.

Your personal 2024 review​

For some, these numbers are just cool to look at. For others, they're a reflection of dedication and hard work. Whether you're a gamer racking up APMs, a knowledge worker conquering tasks, or a content creator delivering your best, these stats tell a story about how you interact with your digital world. And that story's only getting bigger and better.

Your personal 2024 review is ready! Check out your contribution to this massive year. Click the button below and see how you stacked up against the community. Share it with your friends and challenge them to beat your stats!

At the bottom of review, you'll find a unique and personalized statistics persona that describes your digital habits in 2024. Let us know what you got!

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to wish you a joyful holiday season filled with rest, productivity, and maybe a few fun data points. From our small team—Martijn, James, and Ash—thank you for being part of the WhatPulse community. Your support drives everything we do, and we couldn't be more grateful.

Highlights of 2024​

This year was one for the books! Here's a quick look back at what we achieved together:

• Celebrated 20 years of WhatPulse with our amazing community.
• Launched Profiles for tracking your time across work, play, and everything in between.
• Reopened the merch shop to let you show off your WhatPulse pride.
• Delivered tons of updates packed with features to keep you tracking smarter.

A big thanks to you​

Our community continues to be the heart of WhatPulse. From competing on leaderboards to sharing feedback and ideas, you've made this year unforgettable. Your enthusiasm pushes us to improve and reminds us why we do what we do.

Looking ahead​

As we plan for 2025, we're excited to build on this year's momentum with even more tools to help you understand and optimize your digital habits. Stay tuned—there's more to come!

Thank you for being part of our journey. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy holiday season and an amazing start to the new year.

Warm regards,

Martijn, James, and Ash

WhatPulse

For our Chinese 🇨🇳 WhatPulsers; you've asked for it, and we're thrilled to announce that Alipay is now a supported payment option for WhatPulse Premium subscriptions. Whether you're tracking your productivity, monitoring your network, or climbing the leaderboards, upgrading to Premium just got easier.

Even better, if you act quickly, you can still grab a 35% discount on Premium as part of our Cyber Monday and holiday promotion. This offer ends Friday, December 6th, so don't miss the chance to level up your WhatPulse experience at a good time!

What you get with WhatPulse Premium​

WhatPulse Premium unlocks the full potential of your data tracking, making it more insightful, fun, and effective. Here's what you'll enjoy as a Premium subscriber:

• Advanced analytics: Dive deeper into your productivity metrics with detailed graphs and breakdowns.
• Time tracking: Monitor and report on custom projects to optimize your day for maximum productivity.
• Cloud backup: Never lose your WhatPulse data—sync your stats across multiple devices effortlessly.
• Customizable insights: Tailor your analytics dashboard to focus on what matters most to you.

Whether you're a gamer looking to optimize playtime or a remote worker aiming for better focus, Premium gives you the tools to make smarter decisions about your digital habits.

How to subscribe with Alipay & Claim your discount​

Getting started with Alipay for WhatPulse Premium is simple:

1. Visit the WhatPulse Premium page.
2. Click the Subscribe button on the yearly plan.
3. Click the Add discount link and enter code HOLIDAYS24 to save 35% on your subscription.
4. Choose Alipay at checkout and follow the prompts to complete your payment.

Once you're set up, you'll unlock all the benefits of Premium and join a growing global community of productivity enthusiasts.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here, and I'm excited to offer 35% off the yearly WhatPulse Premium subscription. Whether you're exploring WhatPulse for the first time or ready to upgrade, this is the perfect time to unlock more powerful tools and insights.

Why choose WhatPulse Premium?​

If you're already using the free version of WhatPulse, you know how much insight you get into your digital life. Upgrading to Premium takes that experience to the next level, offering more powerful features and detailed analytics:

• Per-application tracking: See how much time and effort you spend in each application.
• Time tracking: Monitor and report on how you spend your time and optimize your day for maximum productivity.
• Unlimited historical data: Track your activity for as long as you want and see how your habits evolve.
• Customizable dashboard: Tailor your data to focus on what matters most, whether it's application usage, network traffic, or time tracking.

For anyone who values in-depth insights into their digital habits—whether you're a gamer, a content creator, or someone optimizing your work-from-home routine—Premium unlocks the full potential of WhatPulse.

How to claim your discount​

Visit the WhatPulse Premium page and use code HOLIDAYS24 at checkout. The offer is valid until December 6th. Don't miss your chance to save big!