Show HN: I Made a Launchpad for macOS
For those who may have missed the news, Apple recently announced that they would be removing the iconic Launchpad from future versions of macOS. Yes, you heard that right - the beloved hub for launching your applications just won't be there anymore.
As a long-time user of macOS, I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss when I saw this news. The Launchpad was more than just a feature; it was an integral part of my workflow and daily routine. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create my own custom launchpad for macOS.
The process wasn't as straightforward as I had hoped, but the end result is well worth the effort. After some digging and experimentation, I discovered that it's possible to recreate the Launchpad experience using a combination of AppleScript, Automator, and a few clever tweaks to the Dock.
Here's how it works: when you open the Script Editor app (which can be found in Applications > Utilities), you can create a new AppleScript that will launch your preferred applications. You can then save this script as an application, which can be added to the Dock just like any other.
But what really sets my custom Launchpad apart is its ability to organize your applications into folders and categories. Using Automator's workflow editor, you can create custom workflows that will launch multiple apps at once, or even automate tasks like copying files or sending emails.
I'm excited to share this project with the community, as I think it has the potential to bring back a piece of macOS history for fans who are missing their old Launchpad. Who knows? Maybe one day Apple will realize how much we love our Launchpads and bring them back for good.
If you're interested in giving my custom Launchpad a try, I've included a link to the GitHub repository below. Be warned: it's still a work in progress, but I'm confident that with some tweaks and improvements, this thing is going to be rock solid.