CmdPal: Replace FiltersDropDown ComboBox with searchable dropdown (#45747)

## Summary of the Pull Request

Replaces the ComboBox-based filter control with a DropDownButton and
Flyout containing a searchable TextBox and ListView.

- Add type-to-search: typing while button is focused opens the flyout
and filters items by name
- Designed to match appearance of the context menu
- Add keyboard navigation: `Up`/`Down `moves selection from search box,
`Enter` confirms, `Escape` clears search text (or closes if empty), `F4`
opens the dropdown
- Add `Alt+F` shortcut on ShellPage to toggle filter focus
- Style flyout to match ContextMenu (item padding, separators, search
box appearance)
- Show "No results" empty state when search matches nothing
- After confirming selection, return focus to the main search box
- Add accessibility
- Update `FilterTemplateSelector` to support both ComboBoxItem and
ListViewItem containers
- Guard against infinite loop in navigation when only separators exist

## Pictures? Moving!



https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/60e232ae-8cee-4759-a9a7-d7edbf78719e

<img width="315" height="212" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b6e1a895-064c-47e1-9184-26dbb46fdf05"
/>


<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist

- [x] Closes: #41648
<!-- - [ ] Closes: #yyy (add separate lines for additional resolved
issues) -->
- [ ] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If the work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [ ] **Tests:** Added/updated and all pass
- [ ] **Localization:** All end-user-facing strings can be localized
- [ ] **Dev docs:** Added/updated
- [ ] **New binaries:** Added on the required places
- [ ] [JSON for
signing](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/ESRPSigning_core.json)
for new binaries
- [ ] [WXS for
installer](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/installer/PowerToysSetup/Product.wxs)
for new binaries and localization folder
- [ ] [YML for CI
pipeline](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/ci/templates/build-powertoys-steps.yml)
for new test projects
- [ ] [YML for signed
pipeline](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/release.yml)
- [ ] **Documentation updated:** If checked, please file a pull request
on [our docs
repo](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-uwp/tree/docs/hub/powertoys)
and link it here: #xxx

<!-- Provide a more detailed description of the PR, other things fixed,
or any additional comments/features here -->
## Detailed Description of the Pull Request / Additional comments

<!-- Describe how you validated the behavior. Add automated tests
wherever possible, but list manual validation steps taken as well -->
## Validation Steps Performed

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Controls/ContextMenu.xaml.cs

@@ -5,16 +5,15 @@
 using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.Messaging;
 using CommunityToolkit.WinUI;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.Common.Text;
+using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Helpers;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Messages;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.ViewModels;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.ViewModels.Messages;
 using Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection;
-using Microsoft.UI.Input;
 using Microsoft.UI.Xaml;
 using Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls;
 using Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Input;
 using Windows.System;
-using Windows.UI.Core;
 
 namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Controls;
 
@@ -101,13 +100,9 @@ public sealed partial class ContextMenu : UserControl,
             return;
         }
 
-        var ctrlPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Control).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
-        var altPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Menu).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
-        var shiftPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Shift).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
-        var winPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.LeftWindows).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down) ||
-            InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.RightWindows).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
+        var mods = KeyModifiers.GetCurrent();
 
-        var result = ViewModel?.CheckKeybinding(ctrlPressed, altPressed, shiftPressed, winPressed, e.Key);
+        var result = ViewModel?.CheckKeybinding(mods.Ctrl, mods.Alt, mods.Shift, mods.Win, e.Key);
 
         if (result == ContextKeybindingResult.Hide)
         {
@@ -165,11 +160,7 @@ public sealed partial class ContextMenu : UserControl,
 
     private void ContextFilterBox_KeyDown(object sender, KeyRoutedEventArgs e)
     {
-        var ctrlPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Control).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
-        var altPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Menu).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
-        var shiftPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Shift).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
-        var winPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.LeftWindows).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down) ||
-            InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.RightWindows).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
+        var modifiers = KeyModifiers.GetCurrent();
 
         if (e.Key == VirtualKey.Enter)
         {
@@ -186,7 +177,7 @@ public sealed partial class ContextMenu : UserControl,
             }
         }
         else if (e.Key == VirtualKey.Escape ||
-            (e.Key == VirtualKey.Left && altPressed))
+            (e.Key == VirtualKey.Left && modifiers.Alt))
         {
             if (ViewModel.CanPopContextStack())
             {

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Controls/FiltersDropDown.xaml

@@ -22,20 +22,9 @@
                 Default="{StaticResource FilterItemViewModelTemplate}"
                 Separator="{StaticResource SeparatorViewModelTemplate}" />
 
-            <Style
-                x:Name="ComboBoxStyle"
-                BasedOn="{StaticResource DefaultComboBoxStyle}"
-                TargetType="ComboBox">
-                <Style.Setters>
-                    <Setter Property="Visibility" Value="Collapsed" />
-                    <Setter Property="Margin" Value="0,0,12,0" />
-                    <Setter Property="Padding" Value="16,4" />
-                </Style.Setters>
-            </Style>
-
             <!--  Template for the filter items  -->
             <DataTemplate x:Key="FilterItemViewModelTemplate" x:DataType="viewModels:FilterItemViewModel">
-                <Grid AutomationProperties.Name="{x:Bind Name, Mode=OneWay}">
+                <Grid Padding="12,8,12,8" AutomationProperties.Name="{x:Bind Name, Mode=OneWay}">
                     <Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
                         <ColumnDefinition Width="32" />
                         <ColumnDefinition Width="*" />
@@ -58,34 +47,100 @@
             <DataTemplate x:Key="SeparatorViewModelTemplate" x:DataType="viewModels:SeparatorViewModel">
                 <Rectangle
                     Height="1"
-                    Margin="-16,-12,-12,-12"
+                    Margin="0,2,0,2"
                     Fill="{ThemeResource MenuFlyoutSeparatorBackground}" />
             </DataTemplate>
 
         </ResourceDictionary>
     </UserControl.Resources>
 
-    <ComboBox
-        Name="FiltersComboBox"
-        x:Uid="FiltersComboBox"
+    <DropDownButton
+        x:Name="FilterDropDownButton"
+        x:Uid="FiltersDropDown"
         MinWidth="200"
+        Margin="0,0,12,0"
+        Padding="16,5,8,5"
         VerticalAlignment="Center"
-        ItemTemplateSelector="{StaticResource FilterTemplateSelector}"
-        ItemsSource="{x:Bind ViewModel.Filters, Mode=OneWay}"
-        PlaceholderText="Filters"
-        PreviewKeyDown="FiltersComboBox_PreviewKeyDown"
-        SelectedValue="{x:Bind ViewModel.CurrentFilter, Mode=OneWay}"
-        SelectionChanged="FiltersComboBox_SelectionChanged"
-        Style="{StaticResource ComboBoxStyle}"
+        HorizontalContentAlignment="Left"
+        PreviewKeyDown="FilterDropDownButton_PreviewKeyDown"
         Visibility="{x:Bind ViewModel.ShouldShowFilters, Mode=OneWay, Converter={StaticResource BoolToVisibilityConverter}, FallbackValue=Collapsed}">
-        <ComboBox.ItemContainerStyle>
-            <Style BasedOn="{StaticResource DefaultComboBoxItemStyle}" TargetType="ComboBoxItem">
-                <Setter Property="MinHeight" Value="0" />
-                <Setter Property="Padding" Value="12,8" />
-            </Style>
-        </ComboBox.ItemContainerStyle>
-        <ComboBox.ItemContainerTransitions>
-            <TransitionCollection />
-        </ComboBox.ItemContainerTransitions>
-    </ComboBox>
+        <DropDownButton.Content>
+            <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal">
+                <cpcontrols:IconBox
+                    x:Name="SelectedFilterIcon"
+                    Width="16"
+                    Margin="0,0,8,0"
+                    VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                    AutomationProperties.AccessibilityView="Raw"
+                    SourceRequested="{x:Bind help:IconCacheProvider.SourceRequested20}"
+                    Visibility="Collapsed" />
+                <TextBlock x:Name="SelectedFilterText" VerticalAlignment="Center" />
+            </StackPanel>
+        </DropDownButton.Content>
+        <DropDownButton.Flyout>
+            <Flyout
+                x:Name="FilterFlyout"
+                Closed="FilterFlyout_Closed"
+                Opened="FilterFlyout_Opened"
+                Placement="BottomEdgeAlignedRight">
+                <Flyout.FlyoutPresenterStyle>
+                    <Style BasedOn="{StaticResource DefaultFlyoutPresenterStyle}" TargetType="FlyoutPresenter">
+                        <Setter Property="Padding" Value="0" />
+                        <Setter Property="CornerRadius" Value="{StaticResource OverlayCornerRadius}" />
+                    </Style>
+                </Flyout.FlyoutPresenterStyle>
+                <Grid MinWidth="200">
+                    <Grid.RowDefinitions>
+                        <RowDefinition Height="Auto" />
+                        <RowDefinition Height="Auto" />
+                        <RowDefinition Height="*" />
+                    </Grid.RowDefinitions>
+                    <TextBox
+                        x:Name="FilterSearchBox"
+                        x:Uid="FilterSearchBox"
+                        Margin="0"
+                        Padding="10,7,6,8"
+                        Background="{ThemeResource AcrylicBackgroundFillColorBaseBrush}"
+                        BorderThickness="0,0,0,2"
+                        CornerRadius="8,8,0,0"
+                        PreviewKeyDown="FilterSearchBox_PreviewKeyDown"
+                        Style="{StaticResource SearchTextBoxStyle}"
+                        TextChanged="FilterSearchBox_TextChanged" />
+                    <Border
+                        Grid.Row="1"
+                        BorderBrush="{ThemeResource MenuFlyoutSeparatorBackground}"
+                        BorderThickness="0,0,0,1" />
+                    <ListView
+                        x:Name="FilterListView"
+                        x:Uid="FilterListView"
+                        Grid.Row="2"
+                        MaxHeight="300"
+                        Margin="0,4,0,4"
+                        IsItemClickEnabled="True"
+                        ItemClick="FilterListView_ItemClick"
+                        ItemTemplateSelector="{StaticResource FilterTemplateSelector}"
+                        SelectionMode="Single">
+                        <ListView.ItemContainerStyle>
+                            <Style BasedOn="{StaticResource DefaultListViewItemStyle}" TargetType="ListViewItem">
+                                <Setter Property="MinHeight" Value="0" />
+                                <Setter Property="Padding" Value="0" />
+                            </Style>
+                        </ListView.ItemContainerStyle>
+                        <ListView.ItemContainerTransitions>
+                            <TransitionCollection />
+                        </ListView.ItemContainerTransitions>
+                    </ListView>
+                    <TextBlock
+                        x:Name="NoResultsText"
+                        x:Uid="FiltersDropDown_NoResults"
+                        Grid.Row="2"
+                        Margin="0,16"
+                        HorizontalAlignment="Center"
+                        AutomationProperties.LiveSetting="Polite"
+                        Foreground="{ThemeResource TextFillColorSecondaryBrush}"
+                        Visibility="Collapsed" />
+                </Grid>
+            </Flyout>
+        </DropDownButton.Flyout>
+    </DropDownButton>
 </UserControl>

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Controls/FiltersDropDown.xaml.cs

@@ -2,11 +2,17 @@
 // The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.Messaging;
+using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Helpers;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.ViewModels;
+using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.ViewModels.Messages;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Views;
 using Microsoft.UI.Xaml;
 using Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls;
 using Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Input;
+using Windows.Foundation;
 using Windows.System;
 
 namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Controls;
@@ -14,6 +20,11 @@ namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Controls;
 public sealed partial class FiltersDropDown : UserControl,
     ICurrentPageAware
 {
+    private bool _isDropDownOpen;
+    private string? _pendingSearchText;
+    private IFilterItemViewModel[] _allItems = [];
+    private FilterItemViewModel? _lastSelectedFilter;
+
     public PageViewModel? CurrentPageViewModel
     {
         get => (PageViewModel?)GetValue(CurrentPageViewModelProperty);
@@ -62,11 +73,146 @@ public sealed partial class FiltersDropDown : UserControl,
     }
 
     public static readonly DependencyProperty ViewModelProperty =
-        DependencyProperty.Register(nameof(ViewModel), typeof(FiltersViewModel), typeof(FiltersDropDown), new PropertyMetadata(null));
+        DependencyProperty.Register(nameof(ViewModel), typeof(FiltersViewModel), typeof(FiltersDropDown), new PropertyMetadata(null, OnViewModelChanged));
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets a value indicating whether the dropdown is currently open or the button has keyboard focus.
+    /// </summary>
+    public bool IsActive => _isDropDownOpen ||
+        FilterDropDownButton.FocusState != FocusState.Unfocused;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets a value indicating whether the filter control is visible (has filters to show).
+    /// </summary>
+    public bool IsFilterVisible => ViewModel?.ShouldShowFilters ?? false;
+
+    private static readonly string _defaultFilterText = ResourceLoaderInstance.GetString("FiltersDropDown_DefaultText");
 
     public FiltersDropDown()
     {
         this.InitializeComponent();
+        SelectedFilterText.Text = _defaultFilterText;
+        FilterDropDownButton.AddHandler(
+            CharacterReceivedEvent,
+            new TypedEventHandler<UIElement, CharacterReceivedRoutedEventArgs>(FilterDropDownButton_CharacterReceived),
+            true);
+    }
+
+    private static void OnViewModelChanged(DependencyObject d, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
+    {
+        if (d is not FiltersDropDown @this)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (e.OldValue is FiltersViewModel oldVm)
+        {
+            oldVm.PropertyChanged -= @this.ViewModel_PropertyChanged;
+        }
+
+        if (e.NewValue is FiltersViewModel newVm)
+        {
+            newVm.PropertyChanged += @this.ViewModel_PropertyChanged;
+        }
+
+        @this.OnFiltersChanged();
+    }
+
+    private void ViewModel_PropertyChanged(object? sender, System.ComponentModel.PropertyChangedEventArgs e)
+    {
+        if (e.PropertyName is nameof(FiltersViewModel.Filters)
+            or nameof(FiltersViewModel.CurrentFilter)
+            or nameof(FiltersViewModel.ShouldShowFilters))
+        {
+            OnFiltersChanged();
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void OnFiltersChanged()
+    {
+        _allItems = ViewModel?.Filters ?? [];
+        UpdateFilteredList();
+        UpdateSelectedFilterDisplay();
+    }
+
+    private void UpdateSelectedFilterDisplay()
+    {
+        if (ViewModel?.CurrentFilter is FilterItemViewModel filter)
+        {
+            SelectedFilterText.Text = filter.Name;
+            SelectedFilterIcon.SourceKey = filter.Icon;
+            SelectedFilterIcon.Visibility = Visibility.Visible;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            SelectedFilterText.Text = _defaultFilterText;
+            SelectedFilterIcon.SourceKey = null;
+            SelectedFilterIcon.Visibility = Visibility.Collapsed;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void UpdateFilteredList()
+    {
+        if (FilterListView == null)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var searchText = FilterSearchBox?.Text?.Trim() ?? string.Empty;
+
+        IFilterItemViewModel[] filtered;
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(searchText))
+        {
+            filtered = _allItems;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            var list = new List<IFilterItemViewModel>();
+            foreach (var item in _allItems)
+            {
+                if (item is FilterItemViewModel filterItem &&
+                    filterItem.Name.IndexOf(searchText, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) > -1)
+                {
+                    list.Add(item);
+                }
+            }
+
+            filtered = list.ToArray();
+        }
+
+        FilterListView.ItemsSource = filtered;
+
+        var hasResults = filtered.Length > 0;
+        FilterListView.Visibility = hasResults ? Visibility.Visible : Visibility.Collapsed;
+        NoResultsText.Visibility = hasResults ? Visibility.Collapsed : Visibility.Visible;
+
+        // Restore selection to current filter if present
+        if (_lastSelectedFilter != null && Array.IndexOf(filtered, _lastSelectedFilter) >= 0)
+        {
+            FilterListView.SelectedItem = _lastSelectedFilter;
+        }
+        else if (ViewModel?.CurrentFilter != null && Array.IndexOf(filtered, ViewModel.CurrentFilter) >= 0)
+        {
+            FilterListView.SelectedItem = ViewModel.CurrentFilter;
+        }
+        else if (hasResults)
+        {
+            // Select the first non-separator item
+            IFilterItemViewModel? first = null;
+            foreach (var item in filtered)
+            {
+                if (item is not SeparatorViewModel)
+                {
+                    first = item;
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+
+            if (first != null)
+            {
+                FilterListView.SelectedItem = first;
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     // Used to handle the case when a ListPage's `Filters` may have changed
@@ -83,55 +229,239 @@ public sealed partial class FiltersDropDown : UserControl,
         }
     }
 
-    private void FiltersComboBox_SelectionChanged(object sender, SelectionChangedEventArgs e)
+    private void FilterDropDownButton_CharacterReceived(UIElement sender, CharacterReceivedRoutedEventArgs args)
     {
-        if (CurrentPageViewModel is ListViewModel listViewModel &&
-            FiltersComboBox.SelectedItem is FilterItemViewModel filterItem)
+        // Redirect printable (non-space) characters to open flyout and type into search
+        if (!char.IsControl(args.Character) && args.Character != ' ')
         {
-            listViewModel.UpdateCurrentFilter(filterItem.Id);
+            OpenFlyoutAndType(args.Character.ToString());
+            args.Handled = true;
         }
     }
 
-    private void FiltersComboBox_PreviewKeyDown(object sender, KeyRoutedEventArgs e)
+    private void FilterDropDownButton_PreviewKeyDown(object sender, KeyRoutedEventArgs e)
     {
-        if (e.Key == VirtualKey.Up)
-        {
-            NavigateUp();
+        var modifiers = KeyModifiers.GetCurrent();
 
-            e.Handled = true;
-        }
-        else if (e.Key == VirtualKey.Down)
+        switch (e.Key)
         {
-            NavigateDown();
+            case VirtualKey.Down when modifiers.OnlyAlt:
+                goto case VirtualKey.F4;
 
-            e.Handled = true;
+            case VirtualKey.Down or VirtualKey.Up:
+            {
+                if (!_isDropDownOpen)
+                {
+                    FilterFlyout.ShowAt(FilterDropDownButton);
+                }
+
+                if (e.Key == VirtualKey.Down)
+                {
+                    NavigateDown();
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    NavigateUp();
+                }
+
+                e.Handled = true;
+                break;
+            }
+
+            case VirtualKey.F4:
+            {
+                if (!_isDropDownOpen)
+                {
+                    FilterFlyout.ShowAt(FilterDropDownButton);
+                }
+
+                e.Handled = true;
+                break;
+            }
         }
     }
 
+    private void FilterSearchBox_PreviewKeyDown(object sender, KeyRoutedEventArgs e)
+    {
+        var modifiers = KeyModifiers.GetCurrent();
+
+        switch (e.Key)
+        {
+            case VirtualKey.Down:
+                NavigateDown();
+                e.Handled = true;
+                break;
+            case VirtualKey.Up:
+                NavigateUp();
+                e.Handled = true;
+                break;
+            case VirtualKey.Enter:
+                SelectCurrentAndClose();
+                e.Handled = true;
+                break;
+            case VirtualKey.Escape:
+                if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(FilterSearchBox.Text))
+                {
+                    FilterSearchBox.Text = string.Empty;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    CloseDropDownAndFocusSearch();
+                }
+
+                e.Handled = true;
+                break;
+            case VirtualKey.F when modifiers.Alt:
+                CloseDropDownAndFocusSearch();
+                e.Handled = true;
+                break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void FilterSearchBox_TextChanged(object sender, TextChangedEventArgs e) =>
+        UpdateFilteredList();
+
+    private void FilterListView_ItemClick(object sender, ItemClickEventArgs e)
+    {
+        if (e.ClickedItem is FilterItemViewModel filterItem)
+        {
+            SelectFilter(filterItem);
+            CloseDropDownAndFocusSearch();
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void FilterFlyout_Opened(object sender, object e)
+    {
+        _isDropDownOpen = true;
+
+        FilterSearchBox.Text = _pendingSearchText ?? string.Empty;
+        FilterSearchBox.SelectionStart = FilterSearchBox.Text.Length;
+        _pendingSearchText = null;
+
+        UpdateFilteredList();
+        FilterSearchBox.Focus(FocusState.Programmatic);
+    }
+
+    private void FilterFlyout_Closed(object sender, object e)
+    {
+        _isDropDownOpen = false;
+        _pendingSearchText = null;
+        FilterSearchBox.Text = string.Empty;
+    }
+
+    private void OpenFlyoutAndType(string text)
+    {
+        _pendingSearchText = (_pendingSearchText ?? string.Empty) + text;
+        if (!_isDropDownOpen)
+        {
+            FilterFlyout.ShowAt(FilterDropDownButton);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            FilterSearchBox.Text = _pendingSearchText;
+            FilterSearchBox.SelectionStart = FilterSearchBox.Text.Length;
+            FilterSearchBox.Focus(FocusState.Programmatic);
+            _pendingSearchText = null;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Opens the filter dropdown flyout.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void OpenDropDown()
+    {
+        if (!_isDropDownOpen)
+        {
+            FilterFlyout.ShowAt(FilterDropDownButton);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Closes the filter dropdown flyout and returns focus to the main search box.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void CloseDropDownAndFocusSearch()
+    {
+        if (_isDropDownOpen)
+        {
+            FilterFlyout.Hide();
+        }
+
+        WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<FocusSearchBoxMessage>();
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Closes the filter dropdown flyout.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void CloseDropDown()
+    {
+        if (_isDropDownOpen)
+        {
+            FilterFlyout.Hide();
+        }
+
+        FilterDropDownButton.Focus(FocusState.Programmatic);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Moves focus to this control (the dropdown button).
+    /// </summary>
+    public void FocusControl()
+    {
+        FilterDropDownButton.Focus(FocusState.Programmatic);
+    }
+
+    private void SelectCurrentAndClose()
+    {
+        if (FilterListView.SelectedItem is FilterItemViewModel filterItem)
+        {
+            SelectFilter(filterItem);
+        }
+
+        CloseDropDownAndFocusSearch();
+    }
+
+    private void SelectFilter(FilterItemViewModel filterItem)
+    {
+        _lastSelectedFilter = filterItem;
+
+        if (CurrentPageViewModel is ListViewModel listViewModel)
+        {
+            listViewModel.UpdateCurrentFilter(filterItem.Id);
+        }
+
+        // Update display immediately (UpdateCurrentFilter is async)
+        SelectedFilterText.Text = filterItem.Name;
+        SelectedFilterIcon.SourceKey = filterItem.Icon;
+        SelectedFilterIcon.Visibility = Visibility.Visible;
+    }
+
     private void NavigateUp()
     {
-        var newIndex = FiltersComboBox.SelectedIndex;
+        if (FilterListView.ItemsSource is not IFilterItemViewModel[] items || items.Length == 0)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
 
-        if (FiltersComboBox.SelectedIndex > 0)
+        if (!HasSelectableItem(items))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var newIndex = FilterListView.SelectedIndex;
+
+        if (newIndex > 0)
         {
             newIndex--;
 
-            while (
-                newIndex >= 0 &&
-                IsSeparator(FiltersComboBox.Items[newIndex]) &&
-                newIndex != FiltersComboBox.SelectedIndex)
+            while (newIndex >= 0 && IsSeparator(items[newIndex]))
             {
                 newIndex--;
             }
 
             if (newIndex < 0)
             {
-                newIndex = FiltersComboBox.Items.Count - 1;
-
-                while (
-                    newIndex >= 0 &&
-                    IsSeparator(FiltersComboBox.Items[newIndex]) &&
-                    newIndex != FiltersComboBox.SelectedIndex)
+                newIndex = items.Length - 1;
+                while (newIndex >= 0 && IsSeparator(items[newIndex]))
                 {
                     newIndex--;
                 }
@@ -139,17 +469,35 @@ public sealed partial class FiltersDropDown : UserControl,
         }
         else
         {
-            newIndex = FiltersComboBox.Items.Count - 1;
+            newIndex = items.Length - 1;
+            while (newIndex >= 0 && IsSeparator(items[newIndex]))
+            {
+                newIndex--;
+            }
         }
 
-        FiltersComboBox.SelectedIndex = newIndex;
+        if (newIndex >= 0)
+        {
+            FilterListView.SelectedIndex = newIndex;
+            FilterListView.ScrollIntoView(FilterListView.SelectedItem);
+        }
     }
 
     private void NavigateDown()
     {
-        var newIndex = FiltersComboBox.SelectedIndex;
+        if (FilterListView.ItemsSource is not IFilterItemViewModel[] items || items.Length == 0)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
 
-        if (FiltersComboBox.SelectedIndex == FiltersComboBox.Items.Count - 1)
+        if (!HasSelectableItem(items))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var newIndex = FilterListView.SelectedIndex;
+
+        if (newIndex >= items.Length - 1)
         {
             newIndex = 0;
         }
@@ -157,33 +505,40 @@ public sealed partial class FiltersDropDown : UserControl,
         {
             newIndex++;
 
-            while (
-                newIndex < FiltersComboBox.Items.Count &&
-                IsSeparator(FiltersComboBox.Items[newIndex]) &&
-                newIndex != FiltersComboBox.SelectedIndex)
+            while (newIndex < items.Length && IsSeparator(items[newIndex]))
             {
                 newIndex++;
             }
 
-            if (newIndex >= FiltersComboBox.Items.Count)
+            if (newIndex >= items.Length)
             {
                 newIndex = 0;
-
-                while (
-                    newIndex < FiltersComboBox.Items.Count &&
-                    IsSeparator(FiltersComboBox.Items[newIndex]) &&
-                    newIndex != FiltersComboBox.SelectedIndex)
+                while (newIndex < items.Length && IsSeparator(items[newIndex]))
                 {
                     newIndex++;
                 }
             }
         }
 
-        FiltersComboBox.SelectedIndex = newIndex;
+        if (newIndex < items.Length)
+        {
+            FilterListView.SelectedIndex = newIndex;
+            FilterListView.ScrollIntoView(FilterListView.SelectedItem);
+        }
     }
 
-    private bool IsSeparator(object item)
+    private static bool IsSeparator(object item) => item is SeparatorViewModel;
+
+    private static bool HasSelectableItem(IFilterItemViewModel[] items)
     {
-        return item is SeparatorViewModel;
+        foreach (var item in items)
+        {
+            if (!IsSeparator(item))
+            {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return false;
     }
 }

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Controls/SearchBar.xaml.cs

@@ -5,17 +5,16 @@
 using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.Messaging;
 using CommunityToolkit.WinUI;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.Ext.ClipboardHistory.Messages;
+using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Helpers;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.ViewModels;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.ViewModels.Commands;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.ViewModels.Messages;
 using Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Views;
 using Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection;
 using Microsoft.UI.Dispatching;
-using Microsoft.UI.Input;
 using Microsoft.UI.Xaml;
 using Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls;
 using Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Input;
-using CoreVirtualKeyStates = Windows.UI.Core.CoreVirtualKeyStates;
 using VirtualKey = Windows.System.VirtualKey;
 
 namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Controls;
@@ -125,8 +124,7 @@ public sealed partial class SearchBar : UserControl,
             return;
         }
 
-        var ctrlPressed = (InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Control) & CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down) == CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down;
-        if (ctrlPressed && e.Key == VirtualKey.I)
+        if (KeyModifiers.GetCurrent().Ctrl && e.Key == VirtualKey.I)
         {
             // Today you learned that Ctrl+I in a TextBox will insert a tab
             // We don't want that, so we'll suppress it, this way it can be used for other purposes

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Converters/FilterTemplateSelector.cs

@@ -16,21 +16,38 @@ internal sealed partial class FilterTemplateSelector : DataTemplateSelector
     public DataTemplate? Separator { get; set; }
 
     [DynamicDependency(DynamicallyAccessedMemberTypes.All, "Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.ComboBoxItem", "Microsoft.WinUI")]
+    [DynamicDependency(DynamicallyAccessedMemberTypes.All, "Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.ListViewItem", "Microsoft.WinUI")]
     protected override DataTemplate? SelectTemplateCore(object item, DependencyObject dependencyObject)
     {
         DataTemplate? dataTemplate = Default;
 
-        if (dependencyObject is ComboBoxItem comboBoxItem)
-        {
-            comboBoxItem.IsEnabled = true;
+        var isSeparator = item is SeparatorViewModel;
 
-            if (item is SeparatorViewModel)
-            {
-                comboBoxItem.IsEnabled = false;
-                comboBoxItem.AllowFocusWhenDisabled = false;
-                comboBoxItem.AllowFocusOnInteraction = false;
-                dataTemplate = Separator;
-            }
+        switch (dependencyObject)
+        {
+            case ComboBoxItem comboBoxItem:
+                comboBoxItem.IsEnabled = !isSeparator;
+                if (isSeparator)
+                {
+                    comboBoxItem.AllowFocusWhenDisabled = false;
+                    comboBoxItem.AllowFocusOnInteraction = false;
+                }
+
+                break;
+            case ListViewItem listViewItem:
+                listViewItem.IsEnabled = !isSeparator;
+                if (isSeparator)
+                {
+                    listViewItem.MinHeight = 0;
+                    listViewItem.IsHitTestVisible = false;
+                }
+
+                break;
+        }
+
+        if (isSeparator)
+        {
+            dataTemplate = Separator;
         }
 
         return dataTemplate;

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Helpers/KeyModifiers.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
+// The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
+// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
+
+using Microsoft.UI.Input;
+using Windows.System;
+using Windows.UI.Core;
+
+namespace Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Helpers;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Snapshot of the current keyboard modifier state (Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Win).
+/// </summary>
+internal readonly struct KeyModifiers
+{
+    public bool Ctrl { get; }
+
+    public bool Alt { get; }
+
+    public bool Shift { get; }
+
+    public bool Win { get; }
+
+    private KeyModifiers(bool ctrl, bool alt, bool shift, bool win)
+    {
+        Ctrl = ctrl;
+        Alt = alt;
+        Shift = shift;
+        Win = win;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets a snapshot of the modifier keys currently held down.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static KeyModifiers GetCurrent()
+    {
+        var ctrl = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Control).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
+        var alt = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Menu).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
+        var shift = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Shift).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
+        var win = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.LeftWindows).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down) ||
+                  InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.RightWindows).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
+        return new KeyModifiers(ctrl, alt, shift, win);
+    }
+
+    public bool OnlyAlt => Alt && !Ctrl && !Shift && !Win;
+
+    public bool OnlyCtrl => Ctrl && !Alt && !Shift && !Win;
+
+    public bool None => !Ctrl && !Alt && !Shift && !Win;
+}

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Pages/ShellPage.xaml.cs

@@ -504,6 +504,23 @@ public sealed partial class ShellPage : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.Page,
         });
     }
 
+    private void ToggleFilterFocus()
+    {
+        if (!FiltersDropDown.IsFilterVisible)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (FiltersDropDown.IsActive)
+        {
+            FiltersDropDown.CloseDropDownAndFocusSearch();
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            FiltersDropDown.OpenDropDown();
+        }
+    }
+
     private void BackButton_Clicked(object sender, Microsoft.UI.Xaml.RoutedEventArgs e) => WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<NavigateBackMessage>(new());
 
     private void RootFrame_Navigated(object sender, Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Navigation.NavigationEventArgs e)
@@ -688,34 +705,32 @@ public sealed partial class ShellPage : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.Page,
 
     private static void ShellPage_OnPreviewKeyDown(object sender, KeyRoutedEventArgs e)
     {
-        var ctrlPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Control).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
-        var altPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Menu).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
-        var shiftPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Shift).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
-        var winPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.LeftWindows).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down) ||
-                         InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.RightWindows).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
+        var modifiers = KeyModifiers.GetCurrent();
 
-        var onlyAlt = altPressed && !ctrlPressed && !shiftPressed && !winPressed;
-        var onlyCtrl = !altPressed && ctrlPressed && !shiftPressed && !winPressed;
         switch (e.Key)
         {
-            case VirtualKey.Left when onlyAlt: // Alt+Left arrow
+            case VirtualKey.Left when modifiers.OnlyAlt: // Alt+Left arrow
                 WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<NavigateBackMessage>(new());
                 e.Handled = true;
                 break;
-            case VirtualKey.Home when onlyAlt: // Alt+Home
+            case VirtualKey.Home when modifiers.OnlyAlt: // Alt+Home
                 WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<GoHomeMessage>(new(WithAnimation: false));
                 e.Handled = true;
                 break;
-            case (VirtualKey)188 when onlyCtrl: // Ctrl+,
+            case (VirtualKey)188 when modifiers.OnlyCtrl: // Ctrl+,
                 WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<OpenSettingsMessage>(new());
                 e.Handled = true;
                 break;
+            case VirtualKey.F when modifiers.OnlyAlt: // Alt+F: toggle filter focus
+                ((ShellPage)sender).ToggleFilterFocus();
+                e.Handled = true;
+                break;
             default:
                 {
                     // The CommandBar is responsible for handling all the item keybindings,
                     // since the bound context item may need to then show another
                     // context menu
-                    TryCommandKeybindingMessage msg = new(ctrlPressed, altPressed, shiftPressed, winPressed, e.Key);
+                    TryCommandKeybindingMessage msg = new(modifiers.Ctrl, modifiers.Alt, modifiers.Shift, modifiers.Win, e.Key);
                     WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send(msg);
                     e.Handled = msg.Handled;
                     break;
@@ -725,8 +740,8 @@ public sealed partial class ShellPage : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.Page,
 
     private static void ShellPage_OnKeyDown(object sender, KeyRoutedEventArgs e)
     {
-        var ctrlPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Control).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
-        if (ctrlPressed && e.Key == VirtualKey.Enter)
+        var mods = KeyModifiers.GetCurrent();
+        if (mods.Ctrl && e.Key == VirtualKey.Enter)
         {
             // ctrl+enter
             WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<ActivateSecondaryCommandMessage>();
@@ -737,7 +752,7 @@ public sealed partial class ShellPage : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.Page,
             WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<ActivateSelectedListItemMessage>();
             e.Handled = true;
         }
-        else if (ctrlPressed && e.Key == VirtualKey.K)
+        else if (mods.Ctrl && e.Key == VirtualKey.K)
         {
             // ctrl+k
             WeakReferenceMessenger.Default.Send<OpenContextMenuMessage>(new OpenContextMenuMessage(null, null, null, ContextMenuFilterLocation.Bottom));

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Settings/SettingsWindow.xaml.cs

@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ using Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls;
 using Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Input;
 using Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Navigation;
 using Windows.System;
-using Windows.UI.Core;
 using WinUIEx;
 using RS_ = Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.Helpers.ResourceLoaderInstance;
 using TitleBar = Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.TitleBar;
@@ -251,8 +250,7 @@ public sealed partial class SettingsWindow : WindowEx,
                 break;
 
             case VirtualKey.Left:
-                var altPressed = InputKeyboardSource.GetKeyStateForCurrentThread(VirtualKey.Menu).HasFlag(CoreVirtualKeyStates.Down);
-                if (altPressed)
+                if (KeyModifiers.GetCurrent().Alt)
                 {
                     TryGoBack();
                 }

src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI/Strings/en-us/Resources.resw

@@ -928,4 +928,25 @@ Right-click to remove the key combination, thereby deactivating the shortcut.</v
     <value>Unpin from dock</value>
     <comment>Command name for unpinning an item from the dock</comment>
   </data>
+  <data name="FiltersDropDown.[using:Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Automation]AutomationProperties.Name" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Filters</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="FiltersDropDown.[using:Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls]ToolTipService.ToolTip" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Filters (Alt+F)</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="FiltersDropDown_DefaultText" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Filters</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="FilterSearchBox.[using:Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Automation]AutomationProperties.Name" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Search filters</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="FilterSearchBox.PlaceholderText" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Search filters...</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="FilterListView.[using:Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Automation]AutomationProperties.Name" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Filter options</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="FiltersDropDown_NoResults.Text" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>No results</value>
+  </data>
 </root>