System-wide expansion on Mac
Retext runs in the background and expands snippets in any app where you can type, including email, Slack, VS Code, and browsers.
Retext
RivendicaRetext is a macOS text expansion app that turns short triggers into full phrases as you type, helping you save time on repeat text without leaving your current app.
Native text expansion for macOS
Retext expands short triggers into longer text snippets as you type on macOS. It is designed to work system-wide, so the same shortcut can expand in email, chat, code editors, browsers, and other apps where you can type.
The app focuses on keeping the workflow simple: create a snippet, assign a trigger, and let it replace the trigger instantly. Retext also adds AI-generated snippets, tags for organizing content, and team libraries for shared use on paid plans.
Features
Instant trigger replacement
Type a semicolon trigger such as `;addr` and Retext replaces it immediately, without opening a popover or interrupting your flow.
Snippet organization with tags
Snippets can be grouped with tags, which makes it easier to organize content by project, client, or category.
AI-assisted snippet generation
You can generate snippet text from a title and optional prompt, and free users receive one complimentary AI generation while Pro users get unlimited AI-generated snippets and prompt variations.
Native macOS app
Retext is built in Swift and presented as a lightweight native Mac app rather than an Electron-based desktop app.
Shared team snippet libraries
Team plans include shared snippet libraries, real-time sync, and role-based permissions for group use.
Use Cases
Reusable email and support replies
Use snippets for canned responses, follow-up messages, and support templates that you need to send repeatedly.
Developer boilerplate and commands
Store code blocks, shell commands, and other repeating development text so they can be inserted quickly while coding.
Addresses, signatures, and contact details
Keep personal or business contact text in one snippet and expand it whenever you need to paste it into a form or message.
Prompt writing and AI workflows
Generate or store AI prompts, then reuse them as snippets for ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, and other tools.
Shared team responses and templates
Let multiple people use a common snippet library for consistent replies, references, or internal text.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Works system-wide across macOS apps.
- Expands text immediately without a popup.
- Stores snippets locally on the Mac.
- Includes AI generation and prompt variation features.
- Supports tags and shared team libraries on paid plans.
Cons
- Requires macOS 15 or later.
- Uses semicolon as the trigger character, which cannot be changed according to the FAQ.
- AI generation is the only stated case where prompt text is sent to Anthropic's API.
FAQ
Does Retext work in every app on Mac?
Yes. Retext is described as system-wide and works in any app where you can type, including email, Slack, VS Code, and browsers.
Do snippets stay on my device?
Yes. The site says snippets are stored locally on your Mac and are not sent anywhere, except when you use AI generation.
Why does Retext ask for Accessibility permission?
It needs Accessibility access to detect keystrokes and expand snippets system-wide on macOS.
Can I change the trigger character?
No. The FAQ says Retext currently uses semicolon (`;`) as the trigger character and that it is not configurable.
Is there a team workflow?
Yes. Team plans include shared snippet libraries, real-time sync, and role-based permissions, and the site says you can create a team from Settings after downloading Retext.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Productivity
- Platform
- macOS
- Primary function
- Text expansion
- Source domain
- retext.io
- Supported OS
- macOS 15 or later
- Input trigger
- Semicolon (`;`)