Editing Quicksilver (software) (section)

==Features==

===Interface===
Invoked with a [[keyboard shortcut]], Quicksilver has three panes, into which the user can enter an object, an action, and an optional attribute—analogous to creating a sentence with a subject, verb, and object.

Quicksilver is a background application that runs while the operating system is running, maintaining a "catalog" of files and objects on the user's computer. By applying [[incremental search]] as the user types, Quicksilver predicts the filename or action typed by the user and automatically selects the object. Quicksilver uses a priority system based on prior usage to "learn" the user's habits, ultimately requiring only a few letters for the most commonly selected objects.

===Extensibility===

====Triggers====
Quicksilver allows users to define "triggers," which perform a specific command (direct object/action/indirect object combination) whenever a customizable keyboard shortcut is pressed. For instance, if a command opening the Documents folder is bound to the {{Key top|[[Function key|F7]]}} key, this hotkey would trigger that action regardless of what application the user is currently in.<ref name="manual">{{Cite web|url=https://qsapp.com/wiki/Quicksilver_User%27s_Guide|title=Quicksilver User's Guide - Quicksilver Wiki|website=qsapp.com}}</ref>

====Plug-ins====
Quicksilver has a built-in [[Plug-in (computing)|plug-in]] architecture, allowing the user to choose and install plug-ins providing integration with a specific program, interface, or new feature.  For example, plug-ins exist for sending email via [[Mail (Apple)|Mail]] without opening the application or manipulating images via text commands.<ref name="manual"/>

====Flexibility====
Because [[shell script]]s and [[AppleScript]]s can be stored in the catalog, any function which can be performed with a script can be tied to Quicksilver through either the command window or triggers. Because most Apple-native applications have extensive scripting libraries, many common tasks can easily be performed from Quicksilver. For instance, [[iTunes]] can be told to play or pause, increase or decrease the current track's rating, or skip to the previous or next track.<ref name="manual"/>

There are various visual interfaces for Quicksilver,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qsapp.com/wiki/Interfaces|title=Interfaces - Quicksilver Wiki|website=qsapp.com}}</ref> Constellation Menus supporting [[mouse gestures]], and a Notification Hub which supports [[Growl (software)|Growl]].

===Alchemy===

Experimental [[Trunk (software)|trunk]] builds of Quicksilver, known as ''Alchemy'', have many major changes.
* Triggers are moving to a separate product, called ''Catalyst''
* All the little frameworks are being joined into one big one called ''Crucible''. This includes extensions and core functionality that most applications and plugins will use. This is currently called ''QSBase.framework''
* The preferences will be greatly simplified. There will be Extras-style advanced preferences for the fiddly options.
* Plugins are going to be hidden from most users, they'll activate themselves automatically or be installable from the web
* β5X Plugins are incompatible.

These builds have four major components: ''Crucible'', a framework with extension to [[Application Kit|AppKit]] and tools common to all Alchemy applications; ''elements'', a framework supporting the plugin architecture; ''quicksilver'', a command window driven launcher; and ''catalyst'', which triggers a preference pane.