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# FAQ

## Core vision

A fully extensible and open source app launcher for hackers, creators and dabblers. It comes with sane defaults to make it useful out of the box. But everything can be changed to fit your needs. Don't let others tell you the best way to be productive, configure it to be perfect for you.

## How do you compare to alternatives?

Zazu is the first launcher to treat plugins as first class citizens. Even the app finder is built as a plugin which can be replaced (if desired). This means plugins are designed as natural extensions of Zazu and they don't require a special trigger such as '/' or ','. This allows a more intuitive desgin that is doesn't hamper discoverability.

Zazu is the only cross platform app launcher that supports Linux, Mac and Windows. Every build is tested on all three platforms. All of this to ensure it works perfectly when you download it, and has a consistent experience when you switch between Operating systems.

Zazu is open source licensed under a permissive MIT license. If the calculator is missing an important feature, make a pull request! If you hate this one thing about Zazu that would totally make it better, fork it!

All configuration is in a single text file. It can be backuped and versioned so you can have a consistent experience.

## Does it work on x?

Yes! Zazu works on Linux, Mac and Windows!

## Can I make my own plugins?

Absolutely! Zazu is designed with extensibility in mind. Want something custom to help with your job? We have a tutorial to help make your first Zazu plugin.

Don't need a calculator, get rid of it from your config (~/.zazurc.json) file. Need a snappier file finder, swap out the default!

## How fast is it?

I have not officially benchmarked it. My friends and I use it everyday and it is quite snappy. If a plugin feels sluggish to you let me know, I'd love to help you make it faster. If you already know what the problem is, feel free to open a pull request, I'd love to have some help. :)

# Getting Started

[VIDEO: going through the following]

## Download

You can go to our Download page to get the latest version of Zazu or build your own. It offers a build for popular operating systems such as Mac, Linux and Windows.

## Run

Once you open Zazu, it'll begin to install all your plugins and present you with a notification letting you know that your plugins have been installed. Once your plugins are installed, you can hit the default launch shortcut alt+space and see Zazu appear. You can begin to type in commands such as:

  • 13 feet to inches
  • screensaver
  • find resume.docx

## Configure

All your configuration is in a single file, to make it easy to backup and version. It's located in your home directory under ~/.zazurc.json. Here, you can add some new plugins and remove ones you don't want. There is more information in our documentation on Personal Configuration.

# Marketing

  • submit to electron
  • Electron discuss forum - https://discuss.atom.io/c/electron
  • hacker news
  • Reddit (r/electronjs/, r/javascript, r/linux, r/programming)
  • awesome-electron (https://github.com/sindresorhus/awesome-electron)
  • electron weekly (I don't think this one exists).
  • node weekly
  • javascript weekly http://javascriptweekly.com/
  • react weekly
  • product hunt
  • alternative to
  • G+ (Communities: electronjs, javascript, ReactJS)
  • LifeHacker - they've done Alfred posts in the past.
  • Slack channels (Electron, #javascript at newrelic, browser team)
  • Presentations at meetups (React, Electron, Javascript, donutjs)
  • Send an email to friends and colleagues introducing your project and include a link to the Product Hunt, HN and Reddit post and request an upvote.
  • Create a twitter search for zazu and reply to people who mention it. * Retweet praises.
  • Submit to the changelog: https://github.com/thechangelog/ping
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