Raycast launches public beta with new UI, files & folders on root search and AI dictation

Raycast has launched the public beta of Raycast 2.0, its next major release, with a full rebuild, a redesigned interface, with simultaneous support for both macOS and Windows for the first time. On Mac, the new beta currently requires macOS 26 Tahoe, with the company saying support for macOS Sequoia may come later but is not confirmed yet.

Root Search now surfaces files, folders, and contacts alongside commands and apps, powered by a custom Rust-based file indexer built to avoid Spotlight limitations and support Windows. This means users no longer need to enter commands like “f” to specify the type of search before running it, allowing for a more natural behavior similar to Spotlight. Raycast says the indexer can scan entire drives in seconds, keep results updated through file system events, and on Windows uses a dedicated NTFS scanner to make full-drive indexing faster.

The update also adds system-wide dictation similar to other AI dictation apps like SuperWhisper, improved hotkey recording with single-tap modifiers and better international keyboard support, and expanded AI features across Quick AI and AI Chat. During the public beta, global dictation, OpenAI’s GPT-5.4 mini, and several Pro features are free, although Cloud Sync, Raycast Focus, larger font sizes, and local LLM support are still planned for later in the beta.