https://github.com/mikkelam/emoji-ninja
Fast emoji picker🥷💨
https://github.com/mikkelam/emoji-ninja
apple emoji emoji-picker macos swift
Last synced: about 2 months ago
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Fast emoji picker🥷💨
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/mikkelam/emoji-ninja
- Owner: mikkelam
- License: mit
- Created: 2025-07-05T09:04:47.000Z (12 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-05-02T07:42:51.000Z (about 2 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-05-02T09:48:49.861Z (about 2 months ago)
- Topics: apple, emoji, emoji-picker, macos, swift
- Language: Swift
- Homepage:
- Size: 5.84 MB
- Stars: 31
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 2
- Open Issues: 3
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# Emoji Ninja 🥷
[](https://github.com/mikkelam/Emoji-Ninja/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
Become the emoji master in any chat 🤙
A performant macOS emoji picker. No fuss, just find emojis. Fast.
## Features
- **Fast Search**: Find your favorite emoji with ease 🔍️
- **Keyboard Navigation**: Arrow keys + Enter for selection ⌨️
- **Smart Pop**: The window pops next to your cursor if you prefer to use your mouse 🖱️
- **Skin Tone Support**: Choose from different skin tones 🌈
- **Global Hotkey**: Quick access with `⌘⌃Space` 🔥🔑
- **100% Offline**
Free and open source. Forever.
## Downloads
Pre-built application bundles can be downloaded from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/mikkelam/emoji-ninja/releases/).
**Installation:** Since the app is unsigned (keeping it free!), macOS will show a security warning on first launch.
**To install:**
1. Download and extract the app to Applications
2. **Right-click** the app and select **"Open"**
3. Click **"Open"** in the security dialog
4. The app will now launch normally in the future
This is the standard process for many free Mac apps and only needs to be done once.
**Troubleshooting:** If you get a "damaged and can't be opened" error instead, try either:
**Option 1 - System Settings:**
Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll down to find "Emoji Ninja" and click "Open Anyway"
**Option 2 - Terminal command:**
```bash
xattr -d com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/Emoji Ninja.app"
```
Both methods remove the quarantine flag that triggers the stronger security block. The app isn't actually damaged - this is just macOS being extra cautious with unsigned apps. This is needed because I don't pay the Apple developer tax.
### Build from Source
**Requirements:**
- macOS 14.0+
- Swift 6.0+
- [mise](https://mise.jdx.dev/) for dev tooling
**Setup:**
```bash
brew install mise
mise install
```
**Install to /Applications:**
```bash
just install
```
## Development
This project is CLI-first. The Xcode project is generated from [`project.yml`](project.yml) via XcodeGen.
**Common commands:**
- `just build`
- `just test`
- `just dev` (run app in foreground and keep stdout/stderr in terminal)
- `just run` (open app)
- `just install`
Run `just --list` for the full command list.
## License
MIT License