Names, titles and files
Each window's app name and title, and the file and folder names of the document it shows, when its app reports one. So “invoices” can find a PDF whose title never mentions that folder. More in document search.
Type a few letters, let go, you're there
Open Flick and type part of an app name, a window title or a file name. The list narrows with every letter, the best match is selected, and letting go of ⌥ takes you to it.
See it
Three letters, one window.
Here the search starts with Return, so the list stays open while you type: “ter” narrows it to Terminal, and Return switches to it.
Start a search three ways.
However you start, you're searching the same list of open windows, with the best match at the top.
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Type while you hold ⌥
Hold ⌥, tap Tab and start typing without letting go. Every letter goes into the search, even with ⌥ held. Let go and you switch to the selected result. If no window matches but an app does, letting go opens that app; if nothing matches at all, Flick closes without switching.
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Press Return first
With the panel open, press Return. The search stays open after you let go of ⌥, so take your time, then press Return or click a result to switch.
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Press ⇧⌘Space from anywhere
Flick opens with search ready, no ⌥Tab needed, and pressing ⇧⌘Space again closes it. Search Windows in the menu bar menu does the same. To pick a different shortcut, see changing the search shortcut.
What it searches.
What you see in each row, plus the file and folder names of the document a window shows. With a license it finds browser tabs too, and when few windows match, it offers apps to open.
Best match first
A name that is exactly what you typed comes first, then names that start with it, then word starts and initials (“vsc” finds Visual Studio Code), then text anywhere, and last, letters in order for words of three letters or more (“sfri” finds Safari). Equal matches go to the window you used more recently. See how results are ranked.
Every word must match
Words can come in any order, and each one narrows the list: “safari docs” finds Safari windows with “docs” in the title. Capitals and accents don't matter. Prefer plain matching? Set Matching to Exact match in Settings › General: each word must then appear as you typed it, with its letters together (capitals and accents still don't matter), and results keep your list order.
Let go, or keep it open
By default, letting go of ⌥ switches to the selected result. To keep the list open instead, set When you let go while searching to Keep the list open in Settings › Shortcuts. A search opened with Return or ⇧⌘Space always stays open. More in letting go while searching.
The keys.
With the default ⌥Tab trigger. Using ⌘Tab instead? The full shortcut list covers both.
| Keys | What it does |
|---|---|
| ⌥Tab, then type | Opens Flick and searches as you type. Every letter types, even while you hold ⌥. |
| Let go of ⌥ | Switches to the selected result, or opens the selected app. If nothing matches, Flick closes without switching. |
| Return | Starts a search that stays open. While you're searching, switches to the selected result. |
| ⇧⌘Space | Opens Flick with search ready, from anywhere. Press it again to close. |
| ↓ ↑ | Moves through the results. Tab and ⇧Tab work too, and so do ⌃N and ⌃P once the list stays open. |
| ⌥Delete | Deletes one character, so you can fix a typo before you let go. |
| Esc | Clears the search. Press it again to close Flick. |
In the free versionSearch covers your 5 most recent windows. When it matches windows beyond them, Flick tells you how many, never which: under No matches it says “2 matching windows are beyond your 5 most recent. A license unlocks every window.”, and with results showing, the note at the bottom of the panel reads “Free version · 2 more matches”. Click either to open Settings › License.
Questions.
Can it find text inside a window?
No. It searches app names, window titles and the names of the file and folders a window shows, plus, with a license, browser tab titles and addresses. It never reads what's in a window.
Why doesn't a window I know is open show up?
Your filters apply to search too. Windows of ignored apps stay out, and so do windows on other Spaces while Show only the active Space is on, and minimized windows while Show minimized windows is off. In the free version, search covers only your 5 most recent windows.
Are results grouped by app?
No. Search shows one row per window even with Group by app on, so the window you want is never folded away.
Does Flick keep a search history?
No. Nothing you type is saved, window titles and document names stay in memory, and Flick never sends anything about your windows anywhere.
Stop hunting. Start typing.
Every open window, a few letters away.
The free version never expires and switches between your 5 most recent windows. A one-time license, from $9.49, unlocks every window and browser tabs.