What is Espanso?
Espanso is an open-source text expander that works across macOS, Linux, and Windows. Type trigger text like `:email` and it expands to your full email address. Snippets can include dynamic content like dates, clipboard contents, and shell command output. Configuration is through YAML files, making snippets versionable and shareable. Form mode creates input dialogs for complex expansions. Packages extend functionality with pre-built snippets for emoji, dates, and common text patterns. For developers who type repetitive text - email addresses, code snippets, meeting links, SQL queries - Espanso saves significant time. The cross-platform support means your snippets work everywhere, unlike platform-specific alternatives.
Pros
- Cross-platform
- Open source
- YAML configuration
- Dynamic content support
- Package ecosystem
- Fast (Rust-built)
Cons
- Config file only
- No GUI editor
- Learning curve for advanced