# Tuna - Native macOS Launcher with Modal Input Modes

> Tuna is a native macOS launcher built in Swift, inspired by Quicksilver, with four input modes and one-time purchase. Requires macOS 15 Sequoia or newer.

Published: 2026-03-31
URL: https://daniliants.com/insights/tuna/
Tags: macos, launcher, quicksilver, keyboard-productivity, native-mac-app, swift

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## Summary

Tuna is a new native macOS launcher built in Swift, inspired by the classic Quicksilver. It differentiates with multiple input modes (Fuzzy, Leader, Text, Talk) and uses a one-time purchase model instead of subscriptions. Requires macOS 15 Sequoia or newer.

## Key Insight

- Spiritual successor to Quicksilver, which suggests deep keyboard-driven workflow focus rather than the simpler spotlight-replacement approach of Alfred/Raycast
- **Modal interface** is the standout feature: four distinct modes (Fuzzy, Leader, Text, Talk) let users switch interaction styles depending on the task, which is unusual for launchers
- Leader Mode likely borrows from vim-style leader key sequences, appealing to power users who want composable keyboard shortcuts
- Talk Mode suggests voice/AI integration, positioning it against Raycast's AI features
- **One-time purchase** with soft limits on the free tier is a deliberate counter-positioning against Raycast's subscription model (currently 8 USD/month for Pro)
- Third-party extensions are coming but not yet available, which is a gap compared to Alfred workflows and Raycast extensions ecosystem
- Native Swift means better performance and lower memory than Electron-based alternatives, but limits cross-platform potential