Supercharge for Mac + The Advantages of Going Gray

I recently purchased Supercharge for Mac by Sindre Sorhus after watching Matt Birchler’s video.

This app allows you to tweak Mac system settings (e.g. open a file or folder in Finder using :leftwards_arrow_with_hook:) and assign keyboard shortcuts to toggle system systems (e.g. dark mode).

When exploring this app, I discovered that using my Mac in grayscale mode can be helpful in some instances (e.g., when writing or responding to emails). Eliminating colour can promote focus and is easier on the eyes. Having a keyboard shortcut to toggle this on and off makes it very accessible.

Here are the shortcuts I’ve configured so far:

…and these are the tweaks I’m using.

I’m curious to hear if others find this helpful!

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p.s. Here’s a note about grayscale mode that Simon Sorhus shared on his website:

Grayscale mode on macOS can be a useful tool for various purposes. It can help reduce eye strain during long work sessions, especially in low-light environments. For designers and developers, it’s valuable for checking contrast and readability of user interfaces without the influence of color. Content creators may use it to evaluate the tonal balance of images or videos. Additionally, some users find that grayscale helps minimize distractions and improve focus by reducing the visual appeal of non-work-related apps and websites. While initially an adjustment, many users report increased productivity and a more mindful approach to computer usage when employing grayscale mode periodically.

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Thanks for this!

Grayscale mode is great for long sessions debugging server issues in multiple terminal windows as well.

Plus, it takes me back to the monochrome NeXTstation that was my main computer in the early 90’s. :slight_smile:

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Ooooooh. Thats good to know.

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These tweaks in the second screenshot reminds me of all the keyboard shortcuts in Windows. Sounds like this app is suitable to Windows user coming to Mac (control X and V to move and paste files; Del to delete files, Return to edit file name open file).

But, if you intend to stay long with the Mac, sometimes its good to learn the base key strokes as it is intended. That way, you can use a new Mac without needing to install this tool.

(I have both a Mac and a Windows PC and I trained myself to switch my mind depending on which computer I am on)

I could see how these tweaks would appeal to Windows users coming to the Mac.

I’ve been all-in on the Mac since about 1991 and consider some of these tweaks to be improvements to macOS. However, the real draw of this app is the shortcuts, most notably being able to toggle grayscale mode and dark mode so easily.

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As someone who is also trying to minimize app dependency, I use this Alfred workflow to toggle light/dark screen. I wonder if it’s possible to use Alfred/KM to make it greyscale though. Interesting.

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Grayscale (or any colour filter) can be toggled directly with MacOS, no third party software required.

In System Settings:

Accessibility > Display > Colour Filters > Check ‘Enable Color Filters’ and select your desired Color Filter type.

Then there is one more step:

Accessibility > General > Shortcut > Uncheck all the checkboxes except ‘Color Filters’.

Use Option-Command-F5 to toggle the setting on and off.

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Thanks, @liminal. That’s good to know.

I still prefer to use Supercharge as a friendlier front-end to some system settings. The developer acknowledges in the FAQ that there are other ways to access these features:

I can already do this with the command-line, BetterTouchTool, Keyboard Maestro, etc.
Supercharge offers a simpler, more user-friendly approach. It’s designed for users who want quick access to useful features without the complexity of scripting or configuring advanced tools. Supercharge provides a curated set of enhancements that work right out of the box, saving you time and effort in setup and maintenance. If you prefer more granular control and don’t mind the setup process, those other tools might be a better fit for you.

I’ll be curious to see what other features he adds in the future.

Not sure if this is Sindre’s decision or Gumroad standard practice, but I have to love this. Instant purchase.

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That one’s credit to the consistently generous Sindre, I know it’s off-by-default in Gumroad.

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I’ve also been experimenting with grayscale mode on my iPhone and iPad. As was the case on the Mac, it can help improve focus and reduce eye strain in some instances.

The “Color Filters” Control Center control provides a convenient way to toggle grayscale mode on and off.

The Shortcuts app also offers a “Set Color Filters” action, so grayscale can be turned on and off in an automation (e.g., one triggered when switching focus modes).

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