What is Hammerspoon?
Hammerspoon is a free, open-source automation tool for macOS that connects system APIs to a Lua scripting engine. Users write a Lua configuration file that ties events, such as a hotkey, a Wi-Fi change or an app launching, to actions such as moving windows, showing alerts or running AppleScript. It does nothing until it is configured, and pre-made plugins called Spoons cover common jobs.
Hammerspoon is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- Mac users comfortable writing Lua who want to script their own automation
- Custom window management driven by keyboard shortcuts
- Triggering actions from system events such as joining a Wi-Fi network
Worth knowing
- macOS only. Release 1.1.1 lists a minimum of macOS 13.0; older Macs need an earlier release.
- Out of the box it does nothing: every behavior has to be written in Lua in ~/.hammerspoon/init.lua or added as a Spoon.
- It depends on the macOS Accessibility permission, which the user has to grant by hand in the system's privacy settings.
- Crash information is collected by default; the FAQ says this can be turned off in the preferences.
Key features
- Lua bridge to macOS
- Extensions expose macOS APIs for applications, windows, screens, audio devices, batteries, clipboards, Wi-Fi, location and low-level keyboard and mouse events to Lua code.
- Hotkeys
- A keyboard shortcut can be bound to any Lua function, from showing a notification to running a series of window operations or an AppleScript.
- Window movement and layouts
- Scripts can move and resize the focused window, arrange several apps' windows into a saved layout across screens, and use window filters to act on groups of windows.
- Event watchers
- A configuration can react to application events, Wi-Fi network changes and USB devices, for example muting the volume when the Mac leaves the home network.
- Spoons
- Spoons are pre-made plugins, installed by double-clicking a .spoon file and loaded from the config. The official list includes an app launcher and a window switcher.
- Menu bar items and URL triggers
- Scripts can create menu bar items, draw on the screen and send iMessage or SMS messages, and other apps can trigger them through hammerspoon:// URLs.
Hammerspoon pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- The whole app is free and open source under the MIT license. The developers do not take donations and suggest giving to a charity instead.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Hammerspoon | $0 | The complete app with every extension, as a direct download or a Homebrew cask. Open source under the MIT license. |
Read from github.com on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Hammerspoon before you buy.
Works with
- AppleScript
- Spotify
- Music.app
- Messages
- Stream Deck
- Asana
Hammerspoon alternatives
- Hammerspoon vs Keyboard Maestro
Free trial · from $36 one-time
- Hammerspoon vs BetterTouchTool
Free trial · from $15 one-time
Common questions
Is Hammerspoon free?
Yes. Hammerspoon is free to use. The whole app is free and open source under the MIT license. The developers do not take donations and suggest giving to a charity instead.
How much does Hammerspoon cost?
Hammerspoon lists one plan. Hammerspoon: $0. Prices were read from github.com on Oct 6, 2026.
What platforms does Hammerspoon work on?
Hammerspoon is available on macOS.
Does Hammerspoon have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Hammerspoon is listed for macOS.
Does Hammerspoon have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Hammerspoon is listed for macOS.
Is Hammerspoon open source?
Yes. Hammerspoon is open source, according to its own site.
What does Hammerspoon integrate with?
Hammerspoon's listing names AppleScript, Spotify, Music.app, Messages, Stream Deck and Asana. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Hammerspoon?
Hammerspoon is made by Hammerspoon contributors. It dates from 2014.
What are the alternatives to Hammerspoon?
The closest alternatives to Hammerspoon in our directory are Keyboard Maestro, BetterTouchTool, Karabiner-Elements, AutoHotkey and Apple Shortcuts. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Hammerspoon.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026.