Kupfer
A keyboard-driven, plugin-based launcher for Linux in the style of Quicksilver.
These buttons open the developer's own site, repository or store listing in a new tab. wares.gg does not host downloads.
About Kupfer
Kupfer is a quick launcher for Linux desktops that follows the Quicksilver model: you pick an object, such as an application or file, and then choose an action to perform on it. Plugins extend both the objects it can find and the actions it offers.
It is written in Python and has been developed since 2007, with more than 4,600 commits. It is released under the GNU General Public License.
Strengths
- Object-and-action workflow like Quicksilver
- Extensible through plugins
- Mature project with a long history
Limitations
- Linux only
- Slower development pace than newer launchers
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source under the GNU GPL.
- License
- GPL
- Developer
- Ulrik Sverdrup and other Kupfer authors
- Platforms
- Linux
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Linux users who liked Quicksilver's way of acting on things from the keyboard
- Categories
- App launchers
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to Kupfer
Compare allSoftware that can replace Kupfer for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Albert
Extensible keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS inspired by Alfred.
Albert is a free, open-source C++/Qt launcher with a plugin architecture that also runs on macOS, though plugins need manual configuration.
Ulauncher
Fast, extensible application launcher built for Linux desktops.
Ulauncher is a free, open-source Linux launcher with a large community extension ecosystem, focused on launching rather than object-and-action workflows.
rofi
A keyboard-driven window switcher, application launcher and dmenu replacement for Linux desktops.
Rofi is a free MIT-licensed launcher, window switcher and dmenu replacement, scriptable and configured through text files.
Vicinae
A native, extensible keyboard-driven launcher for Linux desktops, inspired by Raycast.
Vicinae is a native Raycast-inspired Linux launcher with extensions and very active development, but it is not open source.
Walker
A customizable GTK4 application launcher for Linux that also runs commands and does calculations.
Walker is a GTK4 Linux launcher that runs apps, commands and calculations from one prompt, with frequent development but no open-source license.
Wox
A fully native keyboard launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux, with GPU rendering and a plugin system, as an open Raycast alternative.
Wox is a free GPL-3.0 native launcher that also runs on Windows and macOS, with plugins in Node.js, Python or scripts.
Ueli
A keystroke launcher that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux, which most launchers do not.
Ueli is a free MIT-licensed cross-platform launcher with extra actions per result, built on Electron with fewer plugins.
Anyrun
A Wayland-native runner in the style of KRunner, built around plugins and customization.
Anyrun is a Wayland-native KRunner-style runner extended with plugins, limited to Linux Wayland sessions.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Quicksilver
An open-source macOS launcher that opens apps and files and acts on them from the keyboard.
Cerebro
Launch applications and run searches from a keyboard-driven panel.
