macspanso

Editing match/base.yml shouldn't require a text editor. A native macOS menu bar app for managing espanso text expansions — no YAML required.

brew install --cask jeffcaldwellca/tap/macspanso

Download .dmg View on GitHub

Homebrew automatically installs espanso if it isn't already present.

What it does

A small native app for the parts of espanso you actually touch every day.

Create matches

Type a trigger, type the replacement, save. No YAML, no terminal.

Form matches

Add [[placeholders]] and espanso will show a fill-in popup before expanding.

Variables

Attach date, shell, clipboard, random, and other variable types to any match.

Multi-trigger & regex

One match, many triggers — or match by regular expression for maximum flexibility.

File tree view

Browse matches by YAML file or as a flat list. See exactly where each match lives.

External edit detection

A banner appears when a file changes outside the app, with reload or keep options.

Menu bar controls

Enable, disable, or restart espanso without leaving the keyboard.

Search

Filter matches instantly by trigger, replacement preview, or label.

Installation

Currently on v1.3.0 — see the changelog for what's new.

macOS 13 Ventura or later espanso (auto-installed via Homebrew)

Homebrew recommended

brew install --cask jeffcaldwellca/tap/macspanso

Installs espanso as a dependency if it isn't already present. Don't have Homebrew? Install it first.

Direct download

Download the latest .dmg from the Releases page, open it, and drag macspanso to your Applications folder.

You'll need to install espanso separately.

Frequently asked

Where are my matches stored?

macspanso edits the same YAML files espanso reads — typically ~/Library/Application Support/espanso/match/. Nothing is moved, copied, or duplicated; we just give you a nicer way to edit those files.

Will macspanso conflict with editing config files directly?

No. macspanso watches the espanso config directory and detects external edits. If a file changes while macspanso has it open, a banner gives you the choice to reload from disk or keep your in-app changes.

Does it work with espanso's iCloud / Dropbox sync?

Yes — macspanso operates on whatever path espanso is configured to use. If you've moved your match folder into iCloud Drive or another sync provider, macspanso will edit the synced files in place.

Does macspanso send anything over the network?

No. The app reads and writes local YAML files and controls the local espanso process. There is no telemetry, no analytics, and no network calls.

How do I uninstall it?

If you installed via Homebrew: brew uninstall --cask jeffcaldwellca/tap/macspanso.

If you installed via .dmg: drag macspanso from /Applications to the Trash. Your espanso matches are not affected — they live in espanso's config directory and stay put.

Is it open source?

Yes — MIT licensed. View the source on GitHub, file an issue, or open a PR.