Once open, you can customize the app to show "hot" or high-usage processes:
If you are already in Finder, press Command (⌘) + Shift + U to open the Utilities folder, where the Activity Monitor icon is located.
memory_pressure
The term is more than just a search query—it is a philosophy of system maintenance. A slow Mac is frustrating, but a slow response to a slow Mac is unacceptable.
If you don't want to memorize complex key combos, the fastest method is using launcher apps. These are "hot" because they require zero mouse movement.
With the Activity Monitor still open, Alex kept an eye on his system's performance, making sure that everything was back to normal. He was impressed by how useful the shortcut was and made a mental note to remember it for future reference.
Now, sliding your mouse to that corner launches Activity Monitor in a flash.