Mac users building custom shortcuts face a steep multi-step learning curve, but recent AI-assisted software creation tools are changing how utilities are built. According to reporting from PCMag, developer and professor Edward Mendelson used Claude Code and Xcode in macOS Golden Gate to build and ship “KeyRun,” a free Mac App Store utility that assigns hotkeys to apps, documents, and folders without relying on complex third-party software.
macOS Hotkey Limitations and Third-Party Alternatives
Windows has long allowed users to assign hotkeys by right-clicking a desktop shortcut, opening Properties, and typing a key combination, as reported by PCMag. By contrast, macOS requires navigating the Shortcuts app or installing third-party utilities like FastScripts 3, HomeRow, Karabiner-Elements, Keyboard Maestro, or Raycast. Mendelson noted that these tools are often bloated with unnecessary features or cost money, while older apps like Hotkeys have disappeared from the App Store due to dropping support for Intel-only applications.
Pro Tip: When setting up AI tools in Xcode under macOS Golden Gate, you can access chat integrations directly within the main Xcode window by navigating to Settings > Intelligence, according to PCMag.
Building KeyRun with Claude Code and Xcode
To solve the hotkey dilemma, Mendelson utilized the tighter AI integrations in the macOS Golden Gate beta. After selecting Claude in Xcode’s Settings > Intelligence menu, he prompted the agent to create a simple app that assigns hotkeys to applications dragged into its window or chosen from a file list, according to PCMag. Claude successfully generated the code in seconds.
When Mendelson asked the AI to prevent the app from overriding system shortcuts like Cmd-Q or Cmd-S, Claude updated the software to check new hotkeys against system-wide shortcuts maintained by macOS in the background. To bypass accessibility permission prompts, Claude swapped modern AppKit global event monitors for Apple’s ancient Carbon framework, which still functions in the Golden Gate release despite being officially deprecated, as noted by PCMag.
App Store Submission Hurdles and Guideline Review
Submitting the finalized project required an Apple developer account ($99 per year) and archiving the project through Xcode, according to PCMag.
Did you know? Vibe-coded apps face strict scrutiny under Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you assign hotkeys to apps on macOS natively?
macOS does not feature a native, single-step desktop shortcut hotkey assignment tool comparable to Windows. Users typically rely on the built-in Shortcuts app or third-party utilities like Raycast, Keyboard Maestro, or custom-built solutions like KeyRun, according to PCMag.
Can you use AI assistants inside Xcode to write Mac apps?
Yes. Xcode features built-in AI integrations supporting agents like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini. Developers can configure these agents in Xcode Settings > Intelligence to generate code directly inside the main window, as reported by PCMag.
Why do AI-generated apps sometimes get rejected from the App Store?
What are your thoughts on using AI tools to build custom macOS utilities? Have you encountered limitations with existing hotkey managers? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below!