HotCorners Explained: Set Up Fast Actions on macOS

10 Clever HotCorners to Speed Up Your Workflow

1. Show Desktop (top-right)
   Instantly hide all windows to reveal the desktop — great for quickly accessing files, screenshots, or a clean view.

2. Mission Control (top-left)
   See all open windows and spaces at a glance to switch apps or rearrange windows faster.

3. Application Windows / App Exposé (bottom-left)
   Focus on the current app’s windows only — ideal when an app has many documents or panels open.

4. Launchpad (bottom-right)
   Open Launchpad to quickly find and launch apps without using the Dock or Spotlight.

5. Start Screen Saver (top-center or any corner you won’t hit accidentally)
   Quickly lock your screen or activate a break — good for privacy when stepping away.

6. Put Display to Sleep (corner you don’t use often)
   Save power and secure your Mac by instantly sleeping the display when done.

7. Show Notification Center (corner opposite frequently used ones)
   Quickly check notifications, widgets, and Today view without reaching for the menu bar.

8. Toggle Do Not Disturb (assign via Shortcuts to a corner)
   Map a HotCorner to a Shortcuts automation that enables Do Not Disturb for focused work sessions.

9. Run a Shortcut (using macOS Shortcuts app)
   Assign a corner to run a custom Shortcut — examples: start a Pomodoro timer, open a set of apps, or create a new note.

10. Trigger a Script or Automator Workflow
    Use a HotCorner to launch an Automator action or shell script for repetitive tasks (e.g., archive files, backup a folder, or tidy the Downloads folder).

Tips for safe use:

• Use a small delay or a modifier key (where supported) to avoid accidental triggers.
• Place frequently used HotCorners on corners you can reach comfortably without conflicting gestures.
• Combine HotCorners with keyboard shortcuts and Shortcuts automations for a powerful, efficient setup.