🚀 LNCHR

Heavily inspired by TheBestPessimist's AutoHotKey-Launcher and PowerToys Run, this my version of a quick launcher, compatible with AHK v2.

The gist

Re-map CapsLock to open a GUI with a single textbox that runs shortcuts mapped to text that you type in. A semantic way of activating shortcuts (who has the time to remember a millionCTRL+WIN+XYZs? I'd rather spend that time coding!), opening files or folders, or searching the net.

For your consideration

Unfortunately I don't have the time to well-document this. I think the code is somewhat approachable. If you want to re-map double pressing of CapsLock, it should be self-explanatory, for example. All I ask in return for your use of this script is that you share any ideas that you have (or have implemented) 🙂.

How-to

• Run LNCHR-Main.ahk
• Press CapsLock to activate.
• Type in your command (no need to hit Enter)
• Some commands put the GUI in 'query' mode, where you can enter additional text (Enter required), for example, to search Google or Spotify
• Double-press CapsLock to activate a function of your choice (I map this to a key-press that opens PowerToys Run)
• Escape to exit from any state and close the GUI
• Use (Ctrl|Shift|Alt)+CapsLock to toggle Caps Lock instead
• While in the GUI, remap keys like Tab or Win for other shortcuts (eg. open iPython terminal)

Some features

• Built-in Calculator that uses mathjs, with memory and programmable functions
• Quickly run commands with simple text replacements (eg. Google Search, Everything Search)
• Outlook search
• LNCHR-CommandsGeneator.xlsm: a Microsoft Excel macro-enabled spreadsheet that is used to generate the commands file (LNCHR-Commands.ahk) and a .txt file for quick-help
• Note: the briefcase icon is there because I have a flag that signals if I am using my work or home computer. You can try to leverage this for an independent instant on a remote desktop, for example.

Examples

Open my documents with doc

Open MS Paint with pai

Enable calculator mode with c␣. Or press ↑ or ↓ to navigate through calculator history. Hot tip: you can perform array math: [1,2,3]^2. You can store expressions like phi = 1.618 and functions like E(m) = m*(3e8)^2 Type ? and hit enter to open and edit your saved expressions, and mem to view the memory.

Search Outlook with o␣. Put an ! in the query as a shortcut to hasattachments:yes.

Compose an e-mail with com

Manage your commands with the provided Excel file. Mapped to a xl. Open this file, enable macros, and hit ctrl+l here to generate LNCHR-Commands.ahk There are different types of commands (column D) which make templating the code a lot easier. See the Help tab for more details.