Dynamic Mode (automatic)

Dynamic Mode is on by default. The moment AppSwitcher starts, it scans all running applications and assigns a hotkey to each one that isn’t already covered by a static entry — giving you instant keyboard access to every open app with zero setup.

How Keys Are Assigned

AppSwitcher uses the first letter of each app’s display name (the same name shown in the AppSwitcher UI) as the hotkey for that app.

A few rules govern what happens in edge cases:

• Static entry owns the letter — if you have manually pinned an app to a key, that letter is reserved and will never be used for a dynamic app. This protects your muscle memory.

  Example: Notepad is statically assigned to N → Notion gets no dynamic key, even though it also starts with N.

• Multiple dynamic apps share the same first letter — all of them are assigned that letter. Pressing the hotkey repeatedly cycles through them in turn, exactly like the NextApp cycle mode.

Pinning a Dynamic App

Every dynamically assigned app shows a small Pin button next to it in the Applications list. Clicking it promotes the app to a static entry, giving you full control over its key, cycle mode, and launch behaviour.

Tip

Need more control over a specific app — like always keeping your IDE on a fixed key? Pin it or read the full Hotkeys (manual) guide.

Disabling Dynamic Mode

If you prefer to manage every hotkey yourself, you can turn Dynamic Mode off entirely:

1. Open Settings by double-clicking the tray icon.
2. Go to the General tab.
3. Toggle Dynamic Mode off.
4. Click Save & Apply.

With Dynamic Mode disabled, only your manually configured static entries will be active.