Skip to main content
HopTab lives in your menu bar and requires a one-time accessibility permission to detect keyboard shortcuts. This guide walks you through first launch and basic configuration.

​
First launch

1

Grant accessibility permission

When you launch HopTab for the first time, it will request Accessibility permission. This is required to detect global keyboard shortcuts like Option+Tab.
HopTab uses CGEvent.tapCreate to monitor keyboard events system-wide. macOS requires explicit user consent for this capability.
Click Open System Settings when prompted, then:
  1. Navigate to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility
  2. Find HopTab in the list
  3. Toggle it on
  4. Return to HopTab
Without Accessibility permission, HopTab cannot detect your shortcuts. The app will show a warning banner in Settings until you grant access.
2

Pin your first apps

Once permission is granted, open Settings from the menu bar icon and go to the Pinned Apps tab.HopTab shows all running apps in the lower section. Click any app to pin it:
  • Pinned apps appear at the top with a green dot (running) or gray dot (not running)
  • Running apps show below with a pin icon
  • Click a pinned app again to unpin it
Start with 2-3 apps you’re actively using right now. You can always add more later or create profiles for different workflows.
3

Test the shortcut

Press Option+Tab to open the app switcher overlay. You should see your pinned apps with icons.
  • Option+Tab cycles forward through pinned apps
  • Shift+Option+Tab cycles backward
  • Release Option to activate the selected app
  • Escape to cancel without switching
The overlay uses NSPanel with .screenSaver level to float above all windows without stealing focus.
HopTab runs as a menu bar app (no Dock icon). Click the menu bar icon to access:
  • Quick profile picker - switch between profiles instantly
  • Settings - configure pinned apps, profiles, and shortcuts
  • Quit - stop HopTab (your pins and profiles are saved)
Your pinned apps and profiles are automatically saved to UserDefaults and persist across restarts.

​
Changing the shortcut

If Option+Tab conflicts with another app, you can change it:
  1. Open Settings > Shortcut
  2. Select a preset:
    • Option+Tab (default)
    • Control+Tab
    • Option+`
  3. Or choose Custom to record your own shortcut
The profile switcher shortcut is **Option+** by default. If you set the app switcher to Option+, the profile switcher automatically falls back to Control+` to avoid conflicts.

​
What’s next

Permissions guide

Troubleshoot accessibility issues and understand why HopTab needs these permissions

Workflow examples

Set up profiles for coding, design, writing, and more

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Get started for freeTalk to us