raycast/extensions
Extensions
Raycast Extensions is an open-source platform for building and distributing self-contained plugins that integrate with the Raycast desktop application. It provides an extension plugin framework where developers create packages using TypeScript, React, and Node.js, with each extension declaring its commands and permissions through a static manifest. The platform includes a hot-reload development server that watches source files and triggers live UI updates without restarting the host application.
The platform distinguishes itself through deep AI integration capabilities, allowing extensions to register callable tools that an AI assistant can invoke through typed function schemas. Extensions can send prompts to AI models, stream token responses incrementally, and manage tools through natural language conversations. A secure secret sharing service encrypts sensitive data and generates self-destructing, authenticated URLs for one-time retrieval, while a team store distribution channel enables private registry publishing with versioned installations and automatic updates for team members.
Extensions can collect form inputs, copy results to the clipboard, and use pre-built UI components for consistent interfaces. The platform supports building AI-specific extensions that compile and hot-reload during development, and provides APIs for checking AI access permissions and generating content through AI functions. Published extensions can be shared with all users through a central store or distributed privately to teams.
Features
- Extensible Plugin Architectures - Self-contained packages hook into the host application's lifecycle and UI via a declarative manifest and runtime API bridge.
- Typed Function Schema Registrations - Extensions expose callable tools to the AI assistant by registering typed function schemas resolved at runtime.
- AI Chat Interfaces - Opens a conversational interface where users interact with the extension through natural language.
- Callable Tool Registries - Allows extensions to register callable tools that an AI assistant can invoke through typed function schemas.
- Tool-Enhanced AI Assistants - Registers tools that an AI assistant can invoke, giving the assistant access to extension-specific actions.
- Extension AI Integration - Provides APIs for building extensions that integrate with AI models for content generation and natural language tool management.
- Plugin API Extensions - Provides an extension system with a declarative manifest and runtime API bridge for building self-contained plugins.
- Hot-Reloading Servers - Ships a local dev server that watches source files and triggers live UI updates without restarting the host.
- React Desktop App Development - Enables building native desktop interfaces using React components with hot-reloading and a custom reconciler for in-window rendering.
- Typed Prompt Serializers - Provides a typed API bridge for invoking AI models and streaming responses within extensions.
- AI Prompt Sending APIs - Sends text prompts to AI models and returns generated completions for use in any command or callback.
- Natural Language Tool Interfaces - Manages tools and data by chatting in natural language through Quick AI, AI Chat, or AI Commands.
- Declarative Manifest Systems - Extensions declare commands, preferences, and permissions in a static JSON manifest read at load time.
- React Desktop Frameworks - Provides a platform for building native desktop extensions using React components with hot-reloading and a custom reconciler.
- Extension Store Publishing - Enables publishing extensions to a central store for distribution to all users and teams.
- Custom Reconcilers - Extension interfaces are built with React components that render natively inside the host window using a custom reconciler.
- Extension Development - Builds rich desktop extensions using TypeScript, React, and Node.js with hot-reloading and strongly typed APIs.
- Private Extension Registries - Enables private registry publishing with versioned installations and automatic updates for team members.
- Private Extension Distributions - Distributes custom extensions privately to teammates to streamline shared workflows.
- AI Content Generators - Generates summaries, translations, and other content by calling an AI function from within an extension.
- Extension Hot Reloaders - Includes a hot-reload development server that watches source files and triggers live UI updates without restarting the host.
- Private Extension Registries - Provides a team store distribution channel for private registry publishing with versioned installations and automatic updates.
- Pre-built Extension UI Components - Ships a library of pre-built UI components that extension developers use to create consistent interfaces.
- Secure Secret Sharing - Encrypts sensitive data and generates self-destructing, authenticated URLs for one-time retrieval.
- AI Extension Compilations - Compiles and hot-reloads AI extensions so tools are available during development.
- Token Stream Receivers - Receives AI answers incrementally as tokens are produced, showing results before the full reply finishes.
