Raycast for Windows: AI Chat and Extensions 2026
Raycast 2.0 brought its fast launcher to Windows with AI Chat, MCP server support, AI Extensions, and Inline Replace, giving Windows users a real Mac-caliber launcher.
Windows power users have watched Mac users enjoy Raycast for years, making do with lesser launchers. That gap is closing. Raycast 2.0 brought the launcher to Windows properly, and the 2026 updates layered on the AI features that make it more than just a faster Start menu.
Quick answer
Raycast came to Windows with the 2.0 public beta in May 2026, and by mid-2026 it supports Windows 10 and adds AI Chat with the latest models, mid-chat model switching, AI Extensions, and MCP server support. New features include Inline Replace, which swaps selected text with a command's output, and a Launcher page to customize Root Search. AI Chat and Inline Replace work on both Windows and Mac.
Key takeaways
- Raycast 2.0 brought the launcher to Windows in public beta (May 2026), now supporting Windows 10.
- AI Chat on Windows offers the latest models, mid-chat model switching, and MCP servers.
- AI Extensions let the chat pull live context and take actions across your apps.
- Inline Replace swaps selected text with a custom command's output, on Windows and Mac.
- A new Launcher page and settings search make the app easier to customize.
Raycast finally comes to Windows
Raycast built its reputation on the Mac as a keyboard-driven launcher that replaces Spotlight and a dozen small utilities. Raycast 2.0 launched in public beta on May 14, 2026, bringing that experience to Windows for the first time in a real way. By mid-2026 the Windows version had grown quickly and added support for Windows 10, widening its reach.
For Windows users, this matters because the platform's built-in search has long lagged behind. A launcher that opens instantly, searches apps and files, and hosts a growing catalog of extensions fills a gap the OS never quite closed. The 2.0 release is the point where Raycast on Windows became a serious daily driver rather than an experiment.
AI Chat on Windows
The standout addition is AI Chat, now available on Windows. It provides access to the latest models, lets you switch models mid-conversation, and supports both AI Extensions and MCP servers. Mid-chat model switching is genuinely useful: start a question on a fast, cheap model and escalate to a more capable one when the problem gets hard, without losing the thread.
MCP server support is the part that connects Raycast to the wider agent ecosystem. Because it speaks the Model Context Protocol, AI Chat can talk to the same MCP servers other tools use, so the context and actions you have set up elsewhere carry over. If you run local MCP servers through something like Docker's MCP Toolkit, Raycast can consume them.
AI Extensions and Inline Replace
Two features turn AI Chat from a chatbot into something that acts on your behalf.
AI Extensions and MCP servers let AI Chat pull in live context and take actions across your apps and tools, like creating a Linear issue or searching your codebase, without leaving the conversation. That is the difference between asking an assistant for advice and having it do the task.
Inline Replace is the other practical addition, available on both Mac and Windows. It lets you choose whether to run a custom command inside Raycast or inline, replacing your selected text with the command's output. Select a paragraph, run a "make this concise" command, and the text is rewritten in place. It removes the copy-paste shuffle that usually surrounds using AI on text you are editing.
| Feature | What it does | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| AI Chat | Chat with latest models, switch mid-chat | Windows and Mac |
| AI Extensions | Pull live context, take actions in apps | Windows and Mac |
| MCP server support | Connect to Model Context Protocol servers | Windows and Mac |
| Inline Replace | Replace selected text with command output | Windows and Mac |
| Launcher page | Customize Root Search and fallbacks | Windows and Mac |
Quality-of-life changes
Beyond AI, the 2026 updates polished the core launcher. A new Launcher page lets you customize your Root Search and manage fallback commands, so you control what appears when you type. Settings search arrived too: press Ctrl+F to search for extensions, commands, or settings, which is a relief once your Raycast setup grows. AI Settings also gained a dedicated models page with configurable defaults, so you can set which model runs by default rather than picking each time.
These are small individually, but they are the kind of refinements that separate a launcher you tolerate from one you rely on.
Is it worth switching on Windows?
If you already lean on keyboard-driven workflows, Raycast on Windows is worth trying now. It supports Windows 10 and up, hosts a real extension ecosystem, and the AI features are integrated rather than bolted on. The main caveat is maturity: the Windows version is newer than the Mac original, so a few Mac extensions may not have Windows equivalents yet. Check that the specific extensions you need are available before committing.
For AI work specifically, the combination of mid-chat model switching, MCP support, and Inline Replace is compelling, because it puts capable AI one keystroke away in whatever app you are using. If you are weighing which assistant to route through it, our look at the best open-weight LLMs covers models you might connect.
What to do right now
- Download Raycast for Windows (Windows 10 or later) and set a launch hotkey.
- Open AI Chat and try switching models mid-conversation.
- Connect an MCP server if you already run one to extend what the chat can do.
- Try Inline Replace on some text to rewrite it in place.
- Customize your Root Search on the new Launcher page.
- Confirm the extensions you rely on have Windows support before fully switching.
Frequently asked questions
Does Raycast for Windows require Windows 11?
No. By mid-2026 the Windows version supports Windows 10 as well as Windows 11, having expanded from its initial 2.0 public beta in May 2026.
What can AI Chat do on Windows?
It gives you access to the latest models with mid-chat model switching, plus AI Extensions and MCP server support so it can pull live context and take actions across your apps, like creating a Linear issue or searching a codebase.
What is Inline Replace?
Inline Replace lets you run a custom command and replace your selected text with the command's output directly, rather than copying the result back manually. It works on both Windows and Mac.
Can Raycast on Windows use MCP servers?
Yes. AI Chat supports MCP servers, so it can connect to the same Model Context Protocol tooling other applications use, including local servers you run yourself.
Are all Mac extensions available on Windows?
Not necessarily. The Windows version is newer, so some Mac extensions may not have Windows equivalents yet. Check that the specific extensions you depend on support Windows before switching fully.
