Raycast has become the productivity hub for macOS power users, and its AI integration is one of its most compelling features. Hit a keyboard shortcut, ask a question, get an answer without leaving your current context. But the built-in AI costs $8/month on the Pro plan, and if you want to use your own models, you are configuring a single API key for a single provider. Every quick translation, every grammar fix, every "summarize this selection" — all hitting the same model at the same price.
Antbase turns Raycast into the smartest AI assistant on your Mac. By routing through Antbase, every Raycast AI command gets classified and sent to the optimal model. Quick translations and grammar fixes — which are 80% of typical Raycast AI usage — go to fast free models and respond almost instantly. Complex questions get premium models. You get a better experience than the built-in AI (faster responses for simple tasks, smarter responses for hard ones) at a fraction of the cost.
The speed difference is particularly noticeable with Raycast because it is a productivity tool — you invoke it, ask something, and want to get back to work. When simple tasks route to fast models through Antbase, the response feels nearly instant. That sub-second response time on everyday AI tasks makes Raycast feel like a native OS feature rather than a cloud API call.
Raycast is a macOS launcher that replaces Spotlight. Its AI feature lets you chat with AI, translate text, summarize content, and more — all from a keyboard shortcut. By using a custom API endpoint, you can route Raycast AI through Antbase.
Configuration
Raycast supports custom OpenAI-compatible endpoints through its AI Extensions. Install the OpenAI Translator or AI Chat extension from the Raycast Store, then configure:
- •Open Raycast Preferences > Extensions > [AI Extension]
- •API Endpoint: https://antbase.ai/v1
- •API Key: ant_your-api-key
- •Model: auto
Usage
- •Trigger Raycast (default: Option+Space), type your question, and get an AI response instantly.
- •Select text in any app, trigger Raycast, and use AI commands like Summarize, Translate, Fix Grammar, or Explain.
- •Create custom AI commands with specific system prompts for your frequent tasks.
Tips
- •Most Raycast AI tasks are quick — short questions, translations, grammar fixes. Antbase routes these to fast models for instant responses.
- •Create a custom command for each workflow: "Summarize for Slack", "Draft Reply", "Explain Like I'm 5".
- •Raycast caches recent responses. Combined with fast model routing, the experience feels near-instant.
