Alfred (software) explained

Alfred
Author:	Andrew Pepperrell, Vero Pepperrell
Developer:	Running with Crayons Ltd
Released:	2010 ^[1]
Genre:	Application launcher (utility software)
License:	Proprietary
Latest Release Version:	v5.5
Latest Release Date:	^[2]
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.^[3] 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^[4]
• File and folder search^[5]
• 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^[6]
• Safari and Google Chrome bookmark search
• Clipboard history^[7]
• Text expansion and snippets^{[8] [9]}
• Calculator
• Dictionary
• Contact search
• Music control^[10]
• 1Password integration^[11]
• Control of various system functions such as shutting down, hibernation, quitting, and force quitting processes, etc.^[12]
• Quick access to various operations on selected text and files,^[13] including text manipulation, text translation, and more^[14]
• Running shell commands

Personalization

Alfred's functionality can be extended through "workflows", which are constructed through a visual scripting system based on nodes.^[15] Creating workflows does not require programming knowledge,^[16] although it does support the execution of scripts written in AppleScript, Bash, Python, and others.^[17]

Many of Alfred's features and workflows can be accessed by defining a global keyboard shortcut or a keyword before the query.^{[18] [19]}

Alfred's visual appearance is customizable through themes.^[20] 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.^[21] 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.^[22]

See also

• Comparison of application launchers

External links

• • Packal.org

Notes and References

1. Web site: Behind the App: The Story of Alfred. 2021-10-13. Lifehacker. 20 August 2014 . en-us.
2. Web site: Alfred Change Log. Running with Crayons . 20 Mar 2024.
3. Web site: 2012-01-23 . Alfred (for Mac) . 2023-09-22 . PCMag UK . en-gb.
4. Web site: Summers . Nick . 2014-01-21 . An In-Depth Guide to Alfred, the Incredible App Launcher for Mac . 2023-09-22 . TNW Apps . en.
5. Web site: Orchard . Rosemary . 2019-12-26 . Enhance Your File Search with Alfred . 2023-09-22 . The Sweet Setup . en.
6. Web site: 2021-09-16 . Custom Searches in Alfred . 2023-09-22 . MyProductiveMac . en-GB.
7. Web site: The Best Keyboard App Launcher for Mac . 2023-09-22 . The Sweet Setup . en.
8. Web site: Ginter . Josh . 2022-06-09 . How to Create Text Snippets in Alfred . 2023-09-22 . The Sweet Setup . en.
9. Web site: How To Use Alfred As A Snippet Manager [How-To] [liveblog] Cult of Mac ]. 2023-09-22 . www.cultofmac.com.
10. Web site: 2011-01-21 . Review: Alfred App for Mac OS X . 2023-09-22 . iSource . en.
11. Web site: 2012-05-01 . Alfred 1.2 Adds 1Password Support, New Themes, Improved Matching Algorithm . 2023-09-22 . en-US.
12. Web site: Mastering Alfred 2.0 On Your Mac: Directly Command Your System From The Keyboard [OS X Tips] Cult of Mac ]. 2023-09-22 . www.cultofmac.com.
13. Web site: 2012-07-18 . Alfred 1.3 Improves System Navigation with "File Buffer" . 2023-09-22 . en-US.
14. Web site: Mastering Alfred 2.0 On Your Mac: Send Quick Emails To Your Contacts [OS X Tips] Cult of Mac ]. 2023-09-22 . www.cultofmac.com.
15. Web site: 2012-12-17 . Alfred 2.0 to Add More Complex Functions Via 'Workflows' . 2023-09-22 . MacRumors . en.
16. News: Miller . Chance . 2019-05-29 . Alfred 4 brings Dark Mode, Rich Text expansion, and more to the powerful macOS productivity app . 9to5Mac .
17. Web site: Alfred launcher app hits version 1.0 . 2023-09-22 . Macworld . en.
18. Web site: Mac Gems: Alfred 2 ups the launcher-app ante . 2023-09-22 . Macworld . en.
19. Web site: 2011-11-29 . Alfred 1.0 Now Available With Enhanced Global Hotkeys . 2023-09-22 . en-US.
20. Web site: 2013-03-14 . Alfred 2: Rewritten From The Ground Up, Workflows, Themes, and More . 2023-09-22 . en-US.
21. Web site: 2015-01-27 . 'Alfred Remote' Turns iOS Devices Into Remote Controls for Macs . 2023-09-22 . MacRumors . en.
22. Web site: Bohn . Dieter . 2015-01-27 . Alfred turns your iPad or iPhone into a remote control for your Mac . 2023-09-22 . The Verge . en-US.