Subtext app icon Subtext Download

macOS 14+ · signed & notarized · no account

Your text replacements, one shortcut away.

Subtext turns the macOS text replacements you already own into a floating, keyboard-first panel. Press a shortcut, type a few letters, hit Enter — the snippet is on your clipboard.

Download Subtext-1.0.dmg View on GitHub
Size
2.2 MB
License
MIT
Privacy
No network calls

    Press / to focus. ↑↓ move · Enter copy · Esc clear.

    Demo copies example snippets only. The real app reads your macOS text replacements.

    No new snippet database.
    Subtext reads the replacements already stored in macOS.

    No sync service.
    System Settings and iCloud stay the source of truth.

    No subscription.
    Free, MIT-licensed, signed and notarized.

    Fast by default.
    Keyboard-first, clipboard-out, gone on Escape.

    Apple Silicon build.
    Intel Macs can build from source.

    Direct answer

    Subtext is a floating macOS panel for system text replacements.

    What it doesSummons a searchable overlay with a global shortcut, filters replacements as you type, and copies the selected snippet with Enter.
    What it usesThe text replacements already configured in macOS System Settings — no separate snippet store.
    Who it is forMac users who rely on text replacements but do not want to memorize every shortcut.
    What it avoidsAccounts, analytics, network calls, subscriptions, and manual sync.

    How it works

    How Subtext works

    01

    Summon.

    Launch Subtext once, record your global shortcut in Settings, then press it anywhere. The panel floats over the current app without stealing window focus.

    02

    Filter.

    Type a few letters. Subtext re-reads the system replacement list every time the panel opens, so newly added replacements show up on the next summon.

    03

    Copy.

    Use ↑ and ↓ to move. Press Enter to copy, Escape to dismiss. Your hands never leave the keyboard.

    The point

    What Subtext is and is not

    It is

    • A Raycast-style overlay for built-in macOS text replacements.
    • A floating panel with Mini, Normal, and Big sizes.
    • A keyboard-first snippet launcher with import and remove actions.
    • A tiny native utility with Dark, Light, and System themes.

    It is not

    • Not another snippet database to maintain.
    • Not a sync service, account system, or subscription.
    • Not a TextExpander or Raycast replacement.
    • Not a telemetry app — it collects nothing.

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    What is Subtext?

    A small macOS utility that gives your system text replacements a fast, searchable, keyboard-driven interface — a snippet launcher for the replacements you already own.

    Does it replace TextExpander or Raycast snippets?

    No — it complements the built-in macOS text replacement system instead of introducing another snippet store. Your replacements stay in System Settings and keep syncing through iCloud to your iPhone and iPad.

    Why do I not see a replacement I just added?

    You will — close and reopen the panel. Subtext re-reads the system list every time the panel opens.

    Does it work on Intel Macs?

    The prebuilt app is Apple Silicon. On Intel, build from source with swift build -c release.

    Does it collect anything?

    Nothing. No network calls, no analytics, no accounts. It reads one macOS preferences key and writes to your clipboard when you ask it to.

    Download

    Subtext 1.0 for macOS.

    Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later. Prebuilt app: Apple Silicon. Signed with Developer ID and notarized by Apple.

    SHA-256 eb504c9c324dd607037e3e77b94f8286e551f4a1cf283b7350bca64fd983e7f8
    Download DMG