Can I create a shortcut to open a specific application on OS X?

Question

I want to create a keyboard shortcut to i.e. open Firefox while I am working in another application. I know I can use ⌘T when I am in Firefox to open a new tab.

I haven't found a way to create that kind of shortcuts in System Preferences.

Any ideas?

Update : Alfred (wwww.alfredapp.com) allows you to launch any app via a hotkey. You need to buy the powerpack to use this feature.

Answer 1

I'm currently using KeyRemap4MacBook:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<root>
  <vkopenurldef>
    <name>KeyCode::VK_OPEN_URL_Safari</name>
    <url>file:///Applications/Safari.app</url>
  </vkopenurldef>
  <vkopenurldef>
    <name>KeyCode::VK_OPEN_URL_iTunes</name>
    <url>file:///Applications/iTunes.app</url>
  </vkopenurldef>
  <item>
    <name>test</name>
    <identifier>test</identifier>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::CONTROL_R, KeyCode::VK_MODIFIER_EXTRA1</autogen>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::F11, KeyCode::VK_OPEN_URL_Safari</autogen>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::I, ModifierFlag::EXTRA1, KeyCode::VK_OPEN_URL_iTunes</autogen>
  </item>
</root>

If you have the Powerpack for Alfred 2, you can create a workflow like this:

Hotkeys have a short delay by default, but you can reduce it by changing the trigger behavior:

Other applications that support assigning shortcuts to opening applications:

Apptivate, BetterTouchTool, Butler, iKey, Keyboard Maestro, KeyLauncher, Keymando, Launch it!, NuKit, Quickeys, Quicksilver, RocketShip, Shortcuts, Spark, Twitch

You could also assign shortcuts to shell commands like open -a TextEdit. open /Applications/TextEdit.app/ doesn't seem to be any faster. The script below is blocked until TextEdit finishes opening, and it raises all windows instead of a single window:

tell application "TextEdit"
    reopen -- open a new default window if there are no open windows
    activate -- make the application frontmost
end tell

Another option would be to use Automator services:

There is a bug in 10.7 and 10.8 where the shortcuts for Automator services don't always work until you hover over the services menu from the menu bar. There is also a small delay before services are run, and shortcuts for services don't work when an application that doesn't have a services menu is frontmost.

Answer 2

Alfred

Alfred, in its Power Pack version, can map shortcuts to applications, among many other features.

Answer 3

Get Quicksilver, http://www.blacktree.com/, it will allow you to set keyboard shortcuts to open apps. There are actually more many more apps that do this (Alfred, Keyboard Maestro etc etc.)

Mac OS X actually has a built-in way of doing that, but it doesn't work for Firefox, because it doesn't support services! http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20090903085255430

Update Jan 2012: Blacktree no longer updates Quicksilver--the developer went to Google and has released Google Quick Search Box. Quicksilver lives on, but it has a new home at qsapp.com.

Answer 4

If you do not want to use third party apps.
Then you can use Automator (Services ), and the Built in keyboard shortcuts.

Here is how in an answer to a similar question.

Very simple.

In Step 3, of creating the service.
Set it to 'any application' .

i.e,
set Service receives to: 'no input' in 'any application' (Do this by using the drop downs at the top.)