Glaze by Raycast
nicheProductA no-code Mac app builder from the Raycast team, but for developers who can code, it's a toy.
What it is
Glaze is an AI-powered Mac app generator that converts natural language descriptions into standalone native Mac apps. You describe what you want, and it produces an app that lives in the dock, launches instantly, and works offline.
How it compares to the alternatives
Compared to Xcode + Swift/SwiftUI, Glaze requires zero coding but yields apps with limited customization and depth. Compared to Raycast extensions (TypeScript/React), Glaze apps are not restricted to the Raycast launcher but lack the flexibility to tap into Raycast's API. Compared to Automator or Shortcuts, Glaze offers a more modern interface but is less battle-tested and probably less reliable for complex automation.
Devil's advocate — do you actually need this?
For any developer who can already write Swift or JavaScript, building a simple Mac app is often faster and more predictable than iterating through AI descriptions that may hallucinate or miss edge cases. Raycast itself already has a mature extension system with a large community – why not just use that and skip the AI overhead? Glaze is essentially a polished wrapper around a code generation model; it adds little new leverage for technical users and may produce apps that are hard to maintain or debug.
What would make it better
Allow iterative refinement where the user can edit the generated app's code or behaviour by modifying the prompt and regenerating with diff preview. Add support for importing user scripts or Swift code snippets to extend functionality. Provide a visual way to wire up multiple Glaze apps together. Release a public API to programmatically generate and deploy apps.
The honest case for it
If you are a Mac user with zero programming experience but need a custom utility (e.g., a one-click timestamp generator or a personal expense tracker), Glaze can save you hours of learning Swift. The fact that apps are native and offline sets it apart from web-based no-code tools. For designers, product managers, or hobbyists, this could be a genuine productivity multiplier.
Who it's for
Audience fit
Depth and leverage for a technical engineer who wants to understand it and level up their workflow — not just offload work.
Value for someone who wants a more capable tool without the technical depth — accessible, does-it-for-you.
AI engineers can build simple Mac apps faster by hand, while non-coders gain real value from the no-code interface.