HotkeyClash
HotkeyClash is a macOS menu bar utility that scans apps, system shortcuts, and config tools to show keyboard shortcut conflicts in one place.
What is HotkeyClash?
HotkeyClash is a macOS utility for finding keyboard shortcut conflicts before they interrupt your workflow. It helps Mac users see when the same key combination is claimed by multiple sources, including running apps, macOS system shortcuts, and supported configuration tools such as Karabiner and skhd. The app is designed for people who rely on custom shortcuts, launchers, automation tools, and menu bar utilities and want a faster way to troubleshoot collisions. HotkeyClash presents conflicts clearly so you can identify which shortcut combinations overlap and where those overlaps come from. It is offered by Kemal Esensoy as a free, open-source desktop app for macOS 14 or later, making it useful for both everyday power users and developers who work heavily from the keyboard.
Key features
- Scan running apps, macOS shortcuts, and supported config sources for collisions.
- Show which apps or tools claim the same keyboard combination.
- Separate clear shortcut conflicts from less severe overlaps.
- Display shortcut owners with source details to speed up troubleshooting.
- Help diagnose why a custom or global hotkey is not working as expected.
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Safety overview
Status: Mostly safe
HotkeyClash is a legitimate Mac utility for inspecting shortcut assignments, and its behavior is consistent with that purpose. Because it analyzes shortcuts used by your apps and system settings, users should expect it to read shortcut-related information on the Mac. That kind of access is normal for a shortcut conflict tool. Keep the app updated, download it from the official site, and remove it if you no longer need shortcut scanning.
Recommendation: Keep HotkeyClash if you actively use custom keyboard shortcuts, automation tools, or launcher apps and want an easy way to diagnose conflicts. If you no longer troubleshoot shortcut issues, you can remove it without affecting macOS beyond losing its conflict-scanning features.
Common paths
/Applications/HotkeyClash.app
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