Keep your hands on the home row. Hop straight to your apps

Double-tap and release your Leader modifier, then press a home-row key to switch to or launch its app instantly.

Keep your apps close: Bind up to ten favorite apps to permanent physical keys on your home row. Optionally sync your settings across Macs with iCloud.
Skip the app switcher: Never hunt through fluctuating Command-Tab icons again. Double-tap, strike a key, and jump straight to your app.
Dial in your cadence: Adjust the double-tap recognition window from 150 to 600 ms, with interactive testing in Settings.
Lives in the menu bar: Zero Dock footprint. Key assignments save immediately; pause shortcut detection or launch at login anytime.

Stop chasing shifting app icons

Command-Tab: App order constantly shuffles based on recent use, forcing you to look up and scan the list every time.
KeyHop: Every app occupies a dedicated, unmoving home-row slot. Tap the modifier, hit the key, and you’re there.

KeyHop binds to physical key positions, not dynamic window lists. Once muscle memory takes over, app switching becomes instantaneous.

Set it up on first launch

Pick a Leader key (Command, Option, Control, or Shift) and assign your go-to apps to home-row slots.

Grant Accessibility access when prompted, and KeyHop quietly settles into your menu bar.

KeyHop switches apps. That’s all

No window management, no background tracking, and no disruption to your workflow.

What happens when I press an app key?: If the app is running, KeyHop brings it right to the front. If not, macOS launches it. If it is already active, nothing happens.
Does it manage windows or Spaces?: No. KeyHop leaves your windows, minimized states, and Mission Control Spaces untouched. No HUD overlays, no screen flash, no animations.
Does KeyHop follow my keyboard layout?: Yes. It detects your system layout automatically, with manual overrides for QWERTY, Dvorak, Colemak, AZERTY, and QWERTZ.
Why does it need Accessibility access?: To recognize your double-tapped Leader across macOS and swallow the assigned home-row keystroke once armed. It never requests Input Monitoring.
Does it record what I type?: Never. KeyHop only inspects modifier flags and physical keycodes during active triggers. It records no text or input history and collects no telemetry. Settings go to your personal iCloud only when you enable sync.
Can I sync settings between Macs?: Yes. iCloud sync is off by default; enable it on each Mac using the same Apple Account. It syncs your Leader modifier, double-tap interval, keyboard layout, and ten app assignments. Existing cloud settings take priority when enabled; local settings remain usable offline. Accessibility access, launch at login, pause state, and onboarding progress stay on each Mac.
Which Macs are supported?: Apple silicon Macs running macOS 26. KeyHop is signed with Developer ID, notarized by Apple, and distributed outside the Mac App Store.