Hammerspoon
Hammerspoon is a macOS automation tool that lets you control apps, windows, input devices, and system events with Lua scripts.
What is Hammerspoon?
Hammerspoon is a desktop automation app for macOS that helps power users customize how their Mac works through Lua scripting. It bridges macOS system features to a scripting environment, so you can create your own shortcuts, window-management rules, menu bar tools, alerts, and workflow automations. Common uses include launching actions from hotkeys, reacting to Wi-Fi or battery changes, controlling application behavior, and automating repetitive desktop tasks. Hammerspoon also exposes APIs for working with windows, the clipboard, audio devices, files, screens, and other parts of the system. It is especially useful for users who want deeper automation than built-in macOS shortcuts typically provide. Hammerspoon is published by Chris Jones and is designed as a flexible utility for advanced Mac customization.
Key features
- Create custom keyboard shortcuts and automation workflows with Lua
- Control windows, applications, and desktop behavior programmatically
- React to system events such as Wi-Fi changes, battery levels, and app launches
- Build menu bar tools, alerts, and notifications for everyday tasks
- Work with clipboard contents, files, audio devices, screens, and input events
- Extend the app with community-made Spoons and documented APIs
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Safety overview
Status: Mostly safe
Hammerspoon is legitimate automation software, but it often requests macOS Accessibility access so scripts can control apps, windows, and input events. Some workflows may also involve access to other parts of the system depending on what you script. That level of access is normal for desktop automation, but it means your own scripts or imported add-ons can automate powerful actions. Use scripts from sources you trust, and review what they do before enabling broad automation on your Mac.
Recommendation: Keep Hammerspoon if you use custom Mac automation, keyboard shortcuts, or scripted workflows. If you no longer rely on its automations, you can remove it without affecting macOS itself, though any shortcuts, menu bar tools, or scripted behaviors you created in Hammerspoon will stop working.
Common paths
/Applications/Hammerspoon.app~/.hammerspoon/init.lua
Preference paths
~/Library/Preferences/org.hammerspoon.Hammerspoon.plist
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