Editing Quicksilver (software)

{{Short description|Utility application for macOS}}
{{Infobox Software
| name = Quicksilver
| logo = Quicksilver.png
| screenshot =
| caption = Quicksilver's 3-pane interface
| developer = Quicksilver Foundation
| latest_release_version = 2.4.2
| latest_release_date = {{release date|2023|12|28}}
| operating_system = [[macOS]]
| genre = [[Comparison of desktop application launchers|Application Launcher]] ([[utility software]])
| license = [[Apache License]]
| website = {{URL|qsapp.com}}
| repo = {{URL|https://github.com/quicksilver/Quicksilver}}
}}
'''Quicksilver''' is a [[utility software|utility app]] for [[macOS]]. Originally developed as proprietary [[freeware]] by [[Nicholas Jitkoff]] of Blacktree, Inc.,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/330548/quicksilvers-creator-on-the-future-of-qs |title=Quicksilver's Creator on the Future of QS |website=Lifehacker.com |access-date=2013-06-16}}</ref> it is now an [[Open-source software|open-source]] project hosted on [[GitHub]].

Quicksilver is essentially a graphical [[Shell (computing)|shell]] for the macOS [[operating system]], allowing users to use the keyboard to rapidly perform tasks such as launching other apps, manipulating [[computer file|files]], or sending [[e-mail]]. Since its first release in 2003, many of its features have subsequently been integrated into the modern macOS system feature, [[Spotlight_(Apple)|Spotlight]]. It is similar to the macOS applications [[LaunchBar]] and [[Alfred (software)|Alfred]], but uses a different interaction paradigm. Because of its flexible interface and extensibility, Quicksilver has been called one of the top productivity applications on the Mac.<ref>{{cite web|last=Carpenter |first=Matthew |url=https://thenextweb.com/2009/05/04/quicksilver-mac-greatest-app-time/ |title=Why Quicksilver is still the greatest Mac app of all time. |publisher=The Next Web |date=2009-05-04 |access-date=2013-06-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/247129/hack-attack-a-beginners-guide-to-quicksilver |title=Hack Attack: A beginner's guide to Quicksilver |website=Lifehacker.com |access-date=2013-06-16}}</ref>

==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.

==History==

Nicholas Jitkoff started development of Quicksilver in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blacktree.com/apps/index.html |title=Blacktree OS X Apps |date=2003-12-02 |access-date=2013-06-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031202023437/http://www.blacktree.com/apps/index.html |archive-date=December 2, 2003 }}</ref> He released several versions to the public until 2006 and maintained an [[internet forum]] for the tool from the beginning.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.blacktree.com/ |title=Blacktree :: Index |access-date=2013-06-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031122140840/http://forums.blacktree.com/ |archive-date=November 22, 2003 }}</ref>

On October 30, 2007, the source code for Quicksilver was made available via [[Google Code]].<ref>{{Citation
  | last = jnjLu
  | first = Mat
  | title = google code project blacktree-alchemy - "Initial import to GC"
  | date = 2007-10-30
  | url = http://code.google.com/p/blacktree-alchemy/source/detail?r=5
  | access-date = 2012-08-18 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation
  | last = Lu
  | first = Mat
  | title = Quicksilver goes Open Source
  | date = 2007-11-06
  | url = http://www.tuaw.com/2007/11/06/quicksilver-goes-open-source/
  | access-date = 2007-11-06 }}</ref>
In November 2009, development shifted to using [[GitHub]].<ref>{{Cite mailing list
  |author=André
  |title=Bug fixes to latest - svn/branches/B5X B56a7 (3825)
  |mailing-list=blacktree-quicksilver
  |date=10 November 2009
  |url=http://groups.google.com/group/blacktree-quicksilver/msg/f3ffca725a6d5d33
  |access-date=17 November 2009 }}</ref>
Quicksilver is now developed by a team of volunteers known collectively as ''QSApp''.<ref>{{Citation
| url = https://github.com/quicksilver/Quicksilver/
| access-date = 10 June 2011 
| title = Quicksilver GitHub
}}</ref>

At the end of 2010, the new website QSApp.com was launched, with the aim of unifying and collating all of Quicksilver's fragmented builds, plugins and support groups. Since its launch, the site has included a new Plugins Repository, Wiki and Downloads section. After several months of development, the milestone version β59 was released. On March 25, 2013, Quicksilver v1.0 was released after ten years of beta testing. On March 25, 2022, Quicksilver v2.0 was released, which runs natively on Apple Silicon (M1) Macs.

Quicksilver's [[icon (computer)|icon]] is based on the [[alchemical symbol]] for [[Mercury (element)|mercury]], "quicksilver" being an archaic name for the element.

==See also==
*[[Comparison of application launchers]]
*[[LaunchBar]]
*[[Alfred (software)]]
*[[Butler (software)]]
*[[Katapult]]
*[[Command line interface]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}

[[Category:MacOS-only free software]]
[[Category:Application launchers]]