Code Session - Raycast Development Workflow Automation

A Raycast extension that automates your complete development workflow setup with proper focus management and application control.

Features

🔍 Project Discovery

• Automatically scans your configured development folder
• Displays projects with smart icons:
  • 🔧 Projects with bun.lock (Bun projects)
  • 📄 Projects with package.json (npm/Node projects)
  • 📁 Regular folders
• Shows project metadata and status

⚡ Complete Workflow Automation

When you select a project, the extension will:

1. Open project in Cursor editor
2. Open integrated terminal (Ctrl+Shift+~)
3. Execute bun run dev in the terminal
4. Position Cursor window to left side (Ctrl+Option+←)
5. Open Chrome to localhost with your configured port
6. Position Chrome to right side (Ctrl+Option+→)
7. Start focus session (Ctrl+Option+Shift+F)

Configuration

Required Settings

Set these in Raycast preferences for the extension:

• Development Folder Path: Path to your projects folder (default: /Users/matheus/Desktop/dev)
• Default Port: Development server port (default: 3010)

Focus Management Solution ✅

The Problem: Raycast's runAppleScript utility doesn't properly transfer focus to other applications, causing commands to execute in Raycast's context instead of the target application.

The Solution: Claude-Recommended Focus Management

Based on Claude's analysis, we now use advanced focus management techniques:

1. open --activate Flag: Uses macOS built-in focus transfer mechanism
2. Process-Specific Keystrokes: Sends keystrokes directly to application processes
3. Frontmost Application Management: Ensures target app is definitively frontmost
4. Proper Timing: Increased delays for application startup and focus transfer

Why This Works:

• --activate Flag: macOS native focus transfer mechanism
• Process-Specific Commands: Keystrokes sent to specific application processes
• Frontmost Management: set frontmost to true ensures proper focus
• Increased Timing: Gives applications time to fully launch and receive focus

Usage

Quick Start

1. Install the extension: Run bun run dev in the extension directory
2. Configure preferences: Set your dev folder path and default port in Raycast
3. Search for "Start Coding Now" in Raycast
4. Select your project from the list
5. Click "Start Development Workflow"
6. Watch the automation - works identically to your standalone script!
7. Enjoy your automated setup! 🚀

Note: Uses Claude's recommended focus management techniques for reliable application control.

Workflow Steps in Detail

1. Project Selection: Browse your configured dev folder
2. Confirmation: Confirm before starting the workflow
3. Progress Feedback: Toast notifications for each step
4. Complete Setup: All applications positioned and ready

Troubleshooting

Focus Issues (SOLVED ✅)

Problem: Commands executing in Raycast instead of target applications

Solution: The extension now uses:

• Single Comprehensive AppleScript: Entire workflow in one script
• External AppleScript execution via osascript
• Direct application activation without Raycast interference
• Return focus to Raycast after completion

Common Issues

1. Projects Not Found

• Verify your Development Folder Path in preferences
• Ensure the folder exists and contains project directories
• Check that you have read permissions

2. Commands Not Executing in Cursor

• This issue has been resolved with the enhanced focus management
• If problems persist, ensure Cursor is properly installed

3. Port Issues

• Check your Default Port preference
• Ensure your development server uses the configured port
• Verify Chrome can access localhost:[port]

4. Permission Issues

• The extension needs accessibility permissions for keyboard simulation
• Grant Raycast accessibility access in System Settings

Technical Implementation

Key Components

1. Project Scanner

const getProjects = (folderPath: string): Project[]

Scans the configured folder and detects project types based on:

• package.json presence
• bun.lock presence

2. External AppleScript Execution

const executeAppleScript = (script: string): void

• Writes AppleScript to temporary files
• Executes using osascript with system privileges
• Handles cleanup automatically

3. Enhanced Focus Management

const switchToApplication = (appName: string): void

• Hides Raycast completely
• Activates target application
• Sets application as frontmost
• Ensures proper focus transfer

Dependencies

• @raycast/api: Core Raycast functionality
• fs: File system operations
• child_process: System command execution
• path: Path manipulation
• os: Temporary file management

Development

Building

bun install
bun run build

Development Mode

bun run dev

Linting

bun run lint

License

MIT License - see package.json for details.