Quick and Easy Setup to Launch ForkLift Instantly on macOS

We are sometimes asked whether it is possible to launch ForkLift with a single keyboard shortcut. While ForkLift itself doesn’t include this feature out of the box, macOS already provides a way to set it up, and it just takes a few simple steps.

By creating a Quick Action in Automator and assigning it a shortcut in System Preferences, you can easily open ForkLift with a keystroke.

The shortcut does not only launch ForkLift if it is not running, but also brings it to the front if it is already open and in the background.

Here is how to do it:

1. Open Automator (Applications > Automator).
2. Select New Document, choose Quick Action, and click Choose.
3. At the top of the window, set:
   • Workflow receives current: no input
   • in: any application
4. In the library on the left, find Launch Application and drag it to the workflow area.
5. In the drop-down menu, select ForkLift. (If ForkLift doesn’t appear, click Other… at the bottom and locate it manually.)
6. Save the Quick Action by choosing File > Save, and give it a name like Open ForkLift.

Then assign a shortcut:

7. Open System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Services > General.
8. Find your newly created Quick Action, double-click the none text next to it, enter your desired shortcut, and click Done.

That’s it, you can now use your chosen shortcut to open ForkLift any time!

Download ForkLift