App Recommendations
Based on the user's task requirements, combined with installed apps (via app-scanner), recommend the most suitable software.
Use Cases
- The user says "I want to edit an image, what software should I use?"
- The user says "Are there any free video editing tools you'd recommend?"
- A certain type of app is needed during task execution but it's unclear which one to recommend
Workflow
用户需求（如「编辑 PDF」）
↓
1. 调用 app-scanner 获取已安装应用列表
↓
2. 匹配已安装应用中能满足需求的
↓
3. 如果有多个匹配 → 按优先级推荐
如果无匹配 → 推荐安装方案
↓
4. 输出推荐结果
Recommendation Priority
- Built-in system apps(free, no installation required)
- Apps the user has already installed(already available, use directly)
- Free and open-source apps(recommend installing)
- Paid apps(explain price and advantages)
Common Needs → Recommendation Mapping
macOS
| Need |
Built-in |
Recommended Free |
Recommended Paid |
| View/annotate PDF |
Preview |
Skim |
PDF Expert |
| Edit images |
Preview, Photos |
GIMP |
Pixelmator Pro |
| Write documents |
TextEdit, Pages |
LibreOffice |
Word |
| Make spreadsheets |
Numbers |
LibreOffice |
Excel |
| Make PPT |
Keynote |
LibreOffice |
PowerPoint |
| Edit videos |
iMovie |
DaVinci Resolve |
Final Cut Pro |
| Write code |
- |
VS Code |
- |
| Draw/design |
- |
Figma (Web) |
Sketch |
| Screen recording |
Screenshot (Cmd+Shift+5) |
OBS |
ScreenFlow |
| Compress files |
Archive Utility |
Keka |
BetterZip |
| View Markdown |
- |
MacDown |
Typora |
| Terminal |
Terminal |
iTerm2 |
- |
Windows
| Need |
Built-in |
Recommended Free |
Recommended Paid |
| View PDF |
Edge |
SumatraPDF |
Adobe Acrobat |
| Edit images |
Paint |
GIMP |
Photoshop |
| Write documents |
WordPad |
LibreOffice |
Word |
| Edit videos |
Clipchamp |
DaVinci Resolve |
Premiere |
| Write code |
Notepad |
VS Code |
- |
| Screen recording |
Xbox Game Bar |
OBS |
Camtasia |
General (cross-platform)
| Need |
Recommended Free |
Recommended Paid |
| Notes |
Obsidian, Notion |
Bear |
| Task management |
Trello, Todoist |
Things |
| Password management |
Bitwarden |
1Password |
| Email |
Thunderbird |
Spark |
| Browser |
Firefox, Chrome |
Arc |
Output Guidelines
- First recommend what the user already has installed ("You have Preview on your computer, you can open it directly with that")
- If installation is needed, give a one-step command (
brew install xxx or App Store link)
- Speak plainly, don't pile on specs ("iMovie is good enough, it's free, and it's built in")
- For paid apps, note the price range
