# Spotlight app categories or your own launcher folders?

Built-in app browsing and a custom grid solve different organization needs. Choose by whether you want categories supplied for you or groups you maintain yourself.

By [Rudra Satani](https://cubbypad.com/about/), maker of CubbyPad · 26 October 2026

## Start with the free built-in view

Tahoe’s Spotlight includes an Apps browsing view. Try it before assuming another launcher is necessary. If the available browsing and search are enough for your routine, there may be no additional setup to maintain.

## Custom groups can represent a specific activity

A category such as creative software is broad. A folder for recording a weekly lesson can be much more specific: the recording tool, notes and supporting browser are grouped because of your task, not because they share a software category.

CubbyPad lets you make those manual folders and place them on your own pages. It also provides separate layouts when work and personal activities need different arrangements.

## Compare one task instead of a feature list

1. Choose three apps you repeatedly use together.

1. Find them in Spotlight’s built-in view.

1. Compare the route with a deliberately named folder.

1. Keep the approach that makes that particular routine easier.

## Allow search and browsing to coexist

A custom grid does not require abandoning Spotlight. You can keep its keyboard shortcut and use a different entrance for CubbyPad. Type a name when you know the destination and browse a familiar group when deciding between related tools.

## Sources and further reading

- [Apple: Browse and open apps in Spotlight](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/open-apps-in-spotlight-mh35840/26/mac/26)

Published by CubbyPad’s maker. See [about CubbyPad](https://cubbypad.com/about/) for the author and product details. For corrections, [get in touch](https://cubbypad.com/contact/).

## Put it into practice.

[Guide

### Move apps and make folders

Drag apps into place, move a group together, rename a folder and hide an app without removing it from your Mac.

Read guide ↗](https://cubbypad.com/guides/folders/)[Guide

### Set up layouts, Focus and iCloud sync

Keep separate app arrangements, pair them with a Focus, and share them through your own iCloud Drive.

Read guide ↗](https://cubbypad.com/guides/layouts/)[Guide

### Choose how to open the app grid

Set up the keyboard shortcut, F4, a three-finger pinch, a hot corner, or the Dock and menu bar icons.

Read guide ↗](https://cubbypad.com/guides/opening/)

## More on launchpad and tahoe.

[### Set up a trackpad-first app launcher on a MacBook

Choose a deliberate pinch, learn page swipes, and keep a fallback shortcut so app browsing remains comfortable away from a desk.

Read article ↗](https://cubbypad.com/blog/macbook-trackpad-app-launcher-setup/)[### Avoid conflicts between a launcher and macOS hot corners

Check the system corner assignment as well as CubbyPad’s choice before expecting one pointer movement to have only one result.

Read article ↗](https://cubbypad.com/blog/avoid-mac-hot-corner-conflicts/)[### Launchpad vs Spotlight in macOS Tahoe: what changed?

Tahoe puts app browsing in Spotlight’s Apps view. A Launchpad replacement adds a separate grid with your own pages and folders; the two can work alongside each other.

Read article ↗](https://cubbypad.com/blog/launchpad-vs-spotlight-macos-tahoe/)

## Make room for your apps.

Every feature. One-time purchase. Made for macOS 26.

[Find your plan](https://cubbypad.com/pricing/)

Source: https://cubbypad.com/blog/spotlight-categories-vs-custom-app-folders/