---
title: "All hail the space bar"
date: "2025-07-09"
description: "My mouse-free macOS workflow runs on three space bar shortcuts: Raycast for the system, Things for capturing tasks, and ChatGPT for thinking and writing."
image: "https://bryanmanio.com/_astro/spacebar.BJlCMQdj.jpg"
url: "https://bryanmanio.com/blog/all-hail-the-spacebar/"
---

# All hail the space bar

My entire macOS workflow revolves around a few repeatable actions, triggered hundreds of times a day using three key variations of the space bar.

Each shortcut launches a tool that handles a specific part of my day: [Raycast](https://www.raycast.com/) controls the overall system, [Things](https://culturedcode.com/things/) captures my tasks, and [ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/) helps me think, write, and research faster.

This simple, mouse-free setup keeps me focused, efficient, and out of the dock.

## Raycast

**Shortcut:** `Control + Space`

Raycast is my system-wide launcher. I use it to open files, run scripts, convert currencies, manage 2FA codes, optimize images, and so many other things. It’s fast, predictable, and always ready.

Easily my most used app, and worth it for the [2FA authentication](https://bryanmanio.com/blog/raycast-2fa/) alone.

## Things

**Shortcut:** `Option + Space`

Things is my mental inbox. I use quick entry throughout the day to capture tasks and thoughts as they happen, and sort them later to tackle throughout the week.

My life runs on this little app, and I feel like my brain would fall out if I stopped using it.

## ChatGPT

**Shortcut:** `Command + Space`

ChatGPT is one of those tools I always want within reach. I recently moved to the macOS app to avoid the browser, and the native experience is a solid upgrade.

I could technically use Raycast to trigger it, but that adds extra steps and requires API tokens instead of my individual plan, which is one of my main gripes with most AI apps.