Live scan of running apps
Scans the shortcuts exposed by every running application through the Accessibility API, so you can see menu bar shortcuts exactly as macOS presents them.
HotkeyClash
HotkeyClash is a macOS utility that scans running apps, Karabiner, skhd, and system shortcuts to find keyboard shortcut conflicts. It helps you identify which app owns a hotkey and where to change it.
Overview
HotkeyClash is a macOS utility for finding where keyboard shortcuts clash across running apps, automation tools, and built-in system shortcuts. It scans menu bar shortcuts from live apps, reads Karabiner-Elements and skhd configuration files, and checks macOS symbolic hotkeys so you can see every claimed key combination in one place.
The app is aimed at people who use multiple shortcut-heavy tools on the same Mac and need to know which app owns a combination when something stops working. It distinguishes definite conflicts from focus-dependent overlaps, then shows the claimants and their source so you can change the right setting instead of guessing.
Features
Parses automation configs
Reads `karabiner.json` and `skhdrc` directly, so remapped or config-defined hotkeys are included even when they never reach another app.
Includes system shortcuts
Pulls in macOS symbolic hotkeys, including built-in shortcuts such as Mission Control, Spotlight, Screenshots, and Dock hiding.
Conflict severity classification
Groups all bindings by key combination and marks definite versus potential conflicts, helping you tell a true collision from a focus-dependent overlap.
Readable Mac UI with clear source labels
Shows a native split-view interface with source badges, app icons, and a menu bar badge that counts definite conflicts.
Privacy-first local operation
Keeps the app lightweight and inspectable, with no network requests, no accounts, no telemetry, and no persistence of scan results after quitting.
Use cases
Troubleshoot global hotkey collisions
Check whether a launcher, window manager, or shortcut utility is claiming the same key combination as another global hotkey before you spend time debugging by hand.
Diagnose focus-dependent shortcut conflicts
Compare an app’s menu shortcuts with system-level bindings to understand why a command only fails when that app is open and focused.
Audit shortcut-heavy automation setups
Review Karabiner-Elements and skhd rules alongside app shortcuts so remapped keys and shell-driven bindings are part of the same inventory.
Check a shortcut before you assign it
Verify a new shortcut choice before assigning it in System Settings or an app’s preferences, especially when you already run several tools that register global hotkeys.
Map the shortcuts on a busy Mac
Use the scan output as a source-of-truth list when cleaning up a crowded Mac setup that mixes built-in shortcuts with third-party apps.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Scans running apps, Karabiner, skhd, and macOS system shortcuts in one pass.
- Separates definite conflicts from potential conflicts so the result list is easier to act on.
- Provides source badges and claim details, which help you identify where to make the change.
- Runs locally with no network requests, no accounts, and no telemetry.
- Free and open source under GPL-2.0, with code that can be audited.
Cons
- It does not edit or reassign shortcuts; fixing a conflict still happens in the affected app or in System Settings.
- Coverage is limited to the scanners and parsers listed on the site, although additional parsers are mentioned as roadmap items.
FAQ
Does HotkeyClash need Accessibility access?
HotkeyClash asks for Accessibility permission on the first scan so it can read menu shortcuts from running apps. It can still scan Karabiner, skhd, and macOS system shortcuts without that permission, but it cannot inspect running apps’ menus until access is granted.
What sources does HotkeyClash scan?
It scans running apps’ menu shortcuts, Karabiner-Elements rules, skhd hotkeys, and macOS system shortcuts in one pass. The features page also says more parsers are on the roadmap, including Keyboard Maestro, BetterTouchTool, Hammerspoon, Alfred, and Raycast.
How does HotkeyClash classify conflicts?
The app highlights definite conflicts and potential conflicts. Definite conflicts are two global hotkeys on the same combination; potential conflicts are global hotkeys that overlap with an app’s menu shortcut and only break when that app is focused.
Can HotkeyClash fix shortcuts for me?
HotkeyClash does not edit or reassign shortcuts. After a scan shows the clash, you change the shortcut in the relevant app or in System Settings, then scan again to confirm the conflict is gone.
What platforms and install options are supported?
HotkeyClash is a macOS utility for finding shortcut conflicts, with downloads offered as a DMG or through Homebrew. The site states it supports macOS 14+, including Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, and that it is free and open source under GPL-2.0.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Developer Tool
- Platform
- macOS 14+; Apple Silicon and Intel
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Pricing
- Free forever
- Primary task
- Find keyboard shortcut conflicts
- Install options
- DMG download or Homebrew cask
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