Keyboard Maestro handles automation that requires logic — conditionals, variables, loops, clipboard manipulation, and multi-step sequences too complex for BTT or Raycast.
Engine: Always running as a background process. Macros fire via hotkeys, typed strings, application triggers, or calls from BTT/Hammerspoon.
| Trigger | Use case |
|---|---|
| Hot Key | Direct keyboard shortcut |
| Typed String | Abbreviation expansion (e.g., ;;addr → full address) |
| Application | Run when an app launches, activates, or quits |
| Time | Schedule — on login, at time, periodically |
| BTT Named Trigger | Called from btt:// URL scheme |
| Hammerspoon | Called via hs.osascript or URL event |
Palettes are visual popup menus of macros triggered by a hotkey. Use them to group related macros without memorizing individual shortcuts.
Create: New Group → set “Show as palette when…” → assign a trigger hotkey.
KM variables persist across macro runs. Use Set Variable action and reference with %Variable%VariableName%.
The Named Clipboard system stores multiple clipboard items — useful for multi-step copy-paste workflows across windows.
Macros are stored in ~/Library/Application Support/Keyboard Maestro/Keyboard Maestro Macros.plist. Sync via iCloud Drive or back up manually before major changes.
Export groups: right-click group → Export → saves as .kmmacros file.