Welcome to Launch Air

Launch Air is a high-efficiency app launcher designed specifically for macOS, aimed at providing fast and convenient app access and management experience. This help guide will introduce you to how to fully utilize all the features of Launch Air.

Basic Setup

First Launch

1. After downloading and installing Launch Air, you will be prompted to authorize access to your app folders when you launch it for the first time
2. Follow the prompts to complete the authorization so that Launch Air can scan and display your apps
3. After authorization is complete, you will see a grid of icons for all your installed apps

Add App Folders

1. Click the Launch Air icon in the menu bar and select "Settings"
2. In the settings window, click the "App Directories" option
3. Click the "Add App Directory" button
4. In the pop-up Finder window, select the app folder you want to add (e.g., /Applications)
5. Click "Open" to confirm the addition
6. After adding, you can use and manage the apps in these folders in the launcher

Add User Folders

1. In the settings window, click the "User Directories" option
2. Click the "Add User Folder" button
3. In the pop-up Finder window, select the personal folder you want to add (e.g., "Documents" or "Downloads")
4. Click "Open" to confirm the addition
5. After adding, you can browse and manage files and subfolders in these folders in the launcher

Display Modes

Fullscreen Mode

• Feature: Provides a fullscreen grid of apps, simulating the experience of traditional macOS Launchpad
• How to Enable: In settings, select the "Display" option, then enable "Fullscreen" mode
• How to Use: After activating Launch Air, you will see a fullscreen grid of apps

Multi-Screen Mode

• Feature: Displays Launch Air on multiple monitors simultaneously, providing a more flexible app access experience
• How to Enable: In settings, select the "Display" option, then enable "Multi-Screen" mode
• Mode Selection: Smart Mode: Displays based on the current active screen, automatically following the screen where the mouse is located; Mirror Mode: Displays the same content on all screens
• Note: Only enable this mode when using multiple monitors. You can enable performance mode in mirror mode for a smoother experience

Trigger Methods

Hotkey

1. In settings, select the "General" option
2. Find the "Global Shortcut" setting
3. Click "Press Key" and then press the key combination you want to use (e.g., Command + Space)
4. From now on, press this key combination to quickly activate Launch Air

Hot Corners

1. In settings, select the "General" option
2. Find the "Hot Corners" setting
3. Select the screen corner you want to use (e.g., "Top Left")
4. When you move your mouse to that corner, Launch Air will automatically activate

Fullscreen Mode Smart Trigger

• Feature: In fullscreen mode, clicking on app icons will intelligently show or hide based on window conditions, providing the same experience as Apple's native Launchpad
• How to Use: In fullscreen mode, after clicking any app icon to launch the app, Launch Air will automatically hide; when you trigger Launch Air again, it will re-display the fullscreen app grid

Appearance and Layout

Adjust Grid Layout

1. In settings, select the "Layout" option
2. Adjust "Columns" and "Line Spacing" to change the layout of the app grid
3. Adjust "Icon Size" to change the size of app icons

Adjust Folder Layout

1. In settings, select the "Layout" option
2. In the "Folder Layout" section, adjust columns, line spacing, icon size, and folder window size

Custom Background

1. In settings, select the "Display" option
2. Find the "Custom Wallpaper" setting
3. Click "Select Image" and then choose the background image you want to use
4. You can adjust "Background Blur" and "Transparency" to achieve the desired visual effect

Icon Settings

1. In settings, select the "Display" option
2. In the "Icon Settings" section, you can:
3. Enable or disable app name display
4. Adjust the font size and color of app names

Sorting and Management

App Sorting

• Sorting Options: Sort by name, frequently used, date added, date modified, creation date, or size
• How to Set: In the main interface, use the sorting option menu to select your preferred sorting method

Create and Manage Virtual Folders

1. Drag one app icon onto another to create a virtual folder
2. Click the folder to view its contents
3. Right-click the folder and select "Rename" to change the folder name
4. Right-click the folder and select "Dissolve Folder" to move all apps back to the main screen

Hide Apps

1. Right-click any app icon
2. Select "Hide App"
3. To view and restore hidden apps, select the "Display" option in settings, then click the "Manage" button

Advanced Features

Pure Uninstall

1. Right-click any app icon
2. Select "Pure Uninstall"
3. Launch Air will scan and display all related files of the app
4. Click the relevant button to completely remove the app and its residual files

Backup and Restore

1. In settings, select the "Backup" option
2. Click "Export Config" to save your configuration locally
3. When you need to restore your configuration, click "Import Config" and select the previously saved backup file

General Settings

Appearance Mode

• Options: Follow System, Light Mode, Dark Mode
• How to Set: In settings, select the "General" option, then select your preferred appearance mode

Animation Effects

• Feature: Control animation effects of the app launcher
• How to Set: In settings, select the "General" option, then enable or disable animation effects, and adjust the animation scale

Launch at Login

• Feature: Set Launch Air to run automatically when the system starts
• How to Set: In settings, select the "General" option, then enable the "Launch at Login" toggle

Language Settings

• Feature: Select the display language for Launch Air
• How to Set: In settings, select the "General" option, then select your preferred language from the language dropdown menu