Hot corners have been part of macOS for years, but they’ve always felt underutilized to me. The built-in options are limited to system actions like showing the desktop or activating Mission Control. I wanted more control—specifically, the ability to launch my frequently used apps instantly from any corner of my screen. That’s when CCCCorners caught my attention.
The app’s name makes its priorities clear: “confidential, confidential, confidential.” Unlike many hot corner utilities that require accessibility permissions to function, CCCCorners operates without invasive system access for its primary features. The developer explicitly states they collect zero data from the app. In an ecosystem where productivity tools often ask for far more permissions than they need, this privacy-first approach is refreshing.
What sets CCCCorners apart is its smart toggle functionality. Assign an app to a corner, activate it once to launch the app, and activate it again to close or quit it. It’s the kind of thoughtful interaction design that feels obvious once you experience it. I’ve configured my corners to launch my most-used apps—Messages, Calendar, and my task manager—and the workflow has become second nature within days.
The app supports macOS 12 and later, integrating with Shortcuts for even more automation possibilities. You can add modifier keys (Command, Option, Control, Shift) to each corner for additional combinations, effectively multiplying your available shortcuts. The menu bar icon is customizable with eight different options, or you can hide it entirely if you prefer a cleaner look.
At $2.99 on the Mac App Store, CCCCorners is a straightforward purchase with no subscription model. The app weighs just 6MB and runs silently in the background. Version 1.0.2 was released recently, addressing some minor display issues with modifier key icons—a good sign of active maintenance from developer Bohdan Kolesnyk.
The app doesn’t have many reviews yet, but the few that exist are enthusiastic. One user specifically praised the toggle-to-close feature, noting it was the first hot corners app they’d found with that capability. I agree—it’s a small detail that makes a significant difference in daily use.
For anyone who wants to reclaim macOS hot corners for actual productivity instead of decorative system animations, CCCCorners delivers. It’s lightweight, privacy-respecting, and does exactly what it promises without overcomplicating things. The fact that it works without demanding accessibility permissions is a bonus I wish more utilities would emulate.
