AppAddict
September 4th, 2024

Keyboard Cowboy - Free and Open-Source Automation Software

Mac Apps
Keyboard Cowboy Features
Keyboard Cowboy Features


If you'd like to take a crack at setting up some Mac automations without spending the money that Keyboard Maestro ($36)  or Better Touch Tool ($24)  will run you, then you should download and try Keyboard Cowboy, a free and open-source automation tool available from the dev's Github site. It doesn't come close to having all of the features of the more advanced apps, but it has plenty of functionality, nonetheless.

The app features three kinds of triggers: 

  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Applications
  • Snippets

Keyboard Cowboy features a number of categories Including:

  • Automation - MenuBar Command, Window Management, Mouse Command
  • Applications - Launch applications
  • AppleScripts - Run Apple Scripts
  • Files & Folders - Open files and folders
  • Rebinding - Key Binding
  • Shortcuts - Launch shortcuts
  • ShellScripts - Run shell scripts
  • Websites - Open Web Sites

Available System Commands for Automation

  • Activate Last Application
  • Application Windows
  • Minimize All Open Windows
  • Mission Control
  • Move Focus to Window on Left
  • Move Focus to Window on Right
  • Move Focus to Window Upwards
  • Move Focus to Window Downwards
  • Move Focus to Next Window of Active Application
  • Move Focus to Previous Window of Active Application 
  • Move Focus to Next Window
  • Move Focus to Previous Window
  • Move Focus to Next Window (All Windows)
  • Move Focus to Previous window (All Windows)
  • Show Desktop