<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it
fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)?
-->
## Summary of the Pull Request
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [X] Closes: #981
<!-- - [ ] Closes: #yyy (add separate lines for additional resolved
issues) -->
- [X] **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
This pull request implements Screencast Mode, a keyboard visualization
module. The implementation of this module was made with the goal of
adhering to current PowerToys development conventions. There is
currently no Unit Tests to do automated testing for the module or its
settings, which would need to be added in the future. For more
information, there is a README that is located in
src/modules/ScreencastMode
<!-- Describe how you validated the behavior. Add automated tests
wherever possible, but list manual validation steps taken as well -->
## Validation Steps Performed
For validation, the module was built using the appropriate steps to get
the .exe for PowerToys and that executable was run. From there, the
module was manually tested from simple typing on the keyboard to
changing settings around for the module.
---------
Co-authored-by: Zoha Ahmed <122557699+Zoha-ahmed@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Jaylyn Barbee <51131738+Jaylyn-Barbee@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Gleb Khmyznikov <gleb.khmyznikov@gmail.com>
Co-authored-by: Guilherme <57814418+DevLGuilherme@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Kai Tao <69313318+vanzue@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Shawn Yuan <128874481+shuaiyuanxx@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: leileizhang <leilzh@microsoft.com>
Co-authored-by: Copilot <175728472+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Jiří Polášek <me@jiripolasek.com>
<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it
fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)?
-->
## Summary of the Pull Request
This PR introduces user settings for app mode themes (dark, light, or
system) and background customization options, including custom colors,
system accent colors, or custom images.
- Adds a new page to the Settings window with new appearance settings
and moves some existing settings there as well.
- Introduces a new core-level service abstraction, `IThemeService`, that
holds the state for the current theme.
- Uses the helper class `ResourceSwapper` to update application-level
XAML resources. The way WinUI / XAML handles these is painful, and XAML
Hot Reload is pain². Initialization must be lazy, as XAML resources can
only be accessed after the window is activated.
- `ThemeService` takes app and system settings and selects one of the
registered `IThemeProvider`s to calculate visuals and choose the
appropriate XAML resources.
- At the moment, there are two:
- `NormalThemeProvider`
- Provides the current uncolorized light and dark styles
- `ms-appx:///Styles/Theme.Normal.xaml`
- `ColorfulThemeProvider`
- Style that matches the Windows 11 visual style (based on the Start
menu) and colors
- `ms-appx:///Styles/Theme.Colorful.xaml`
- Applied when the background is colorized or a background image is
selected
- The app theme is applied only on the main window
(`WindowThemeSynchronizer` helper class can be used to synchronize other
windows if needed).
- Adds a new dependency on `Microsoft.Graphics.Win2D`.
- Adds a custom color picker popup; the one from the Community Toolkit
occasionally loses the selected color.
- Flyby: separates the keyword tag and localizable label for pages in
the Settings window navigation.
## Pictures? Pictures!
<img width="2027" height="1276" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e3485c71-7faa-495b-b455-b313ea6046ee"
/>
<img width="3776" height="2025" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/820fa823-34d4-426d-b066-b1049dc3266f"
/>
Matching Windows accent color and tint:
<img width="3840" height="2160" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/65f3b608-e282-4894-b7c8-e014a194f11f"
/>
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] Closes: #38444
- [ ] **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
---------
Co-authored-by: Niels Laute <niels.laute@live.nl>
## Summary of the Pull Request
This PR adds a new option to the **General** page in **Settings**:
Escape key behavior — a dropdown with the following choices:
- Clear search first, then go back
- Current behavior.
- If the search box contains text, it is cleared; otherwise goes back.
- On the home page, CmdPal is dismissed.
- Go back
- Leaves the search text intact.
- If the page is not transient, the search text reappears when
returning.
- On the home page, CmdPal is dismissed.
- Hide window and go home (Always dismiss)
- Immediately dismisses CmdPal and navigates to the home page.
- Ignores the **Go home when activated** setting.
- Search text is cleared.
- Hide window
- Just hides the window.
- Intended to be used with #43355.
This implementation preserves existing behavior, except for **Always
dismiss**, which always forces navigation to the home page.
## Pictures? Pictures!
<img width="1305" height="892" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/562e5604-1da6-4fc6-8358-5053df9c573d"
/>
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] Closes: #38311
- [ ] **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
## Summary of the Pull Request
This PR introduces a small ribbon to the CmdPal for app developers. The
dev ribbon is dynamically added to the main window in local (non-CI)
builds. It shows the number of logged errors and warnings, the current
build configuration (Debug or Release), and whether it’s built with AOT.
The flyout shows the latest errors and warnings and lets you quickly
access the logs.
## Pictures? Pictures!
<img width="985" height="589" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/6528b02b-b4b4-4968-91bf-e67a29f86415"
/>
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] Closes: #43318
<!-- - [ ] 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
## Summary of the Pull Request
This PR replaces the Go home when activated setting with a new
Automatically return home option. This allows users to specify how long
the Command Palette should wait after being dismissed before
automatically returning to the home page. It also introduces migration
logic to transition from the old setting to the new one.
## Pictures? Pictures!
<img width="1337" height="762" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c649ef03-b3ee-40ba-ac67-485bc40efa73"
/>
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] Closes: #43355
<!-- - [ ] 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
## Summary of the Pull Request
This PR improves Command Palette behavior in “Last position” mode:
- Correctly handles DPI changes between monitors.
- Ensures the window is always visible — if it’s fully off-screen or has
less than 100px visible on any axis, it is re-centered.
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] Closes: #43398
- [ ] **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
## Summary of the Pull Request
Refer to the title. Calling this here will just log an error. Another
HideWindow is at the end of the constructor, so the behavior remains
unchanged.
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [ ] Closes: #xxx
- [ ] **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
<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it
fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)?
-->
## Summary of the Pull Request
Added a new setting option to Command Palette that allows users to
choose whether the window should be recentered on every launch or
remember its last position. This enhancement improves user experience by
maintaining window positioning preferences across sessions.
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] **Closes:** #38310
- [x] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If 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
This PR adds a "Recenter window on launch" setting to Command Palette
with the following changes:
1. Added a new `RecenterWindow` property to `SettingsModel` (default is
true for backward compatibility)
2. Added corresponding property to `SettingsViewModel` for binding
3. Created a new `WindowPosition` class to track window position and
size
4. Modified `MainWindow.xaml.cs` to:
- Track window position and size changes
- Update position memory when window is modified or dismissed
- Respect the recenter setting when showing the window
5. Added UI controls in the settings page with proper localization
strings

This feature allows users who prefer to have the Command Palette appear
in a specific screen location to maintain that preference, while others
can continue using the centered window behavior.
<!-- Describe how you validated the behavior. Add automated tests
wherever possible, but list manual validation steps taken as well -->
## Validation Steps Performed
1. Manually verified that with the setting enabled (default), the window
centers on launch
2. Verified that with the setting disabled, the window appears at its
last position
---------
Signed-off-by: Shawn Yuan <shuai.yuan.zju@gmail.com>
Signed-off-by: Shawn Yuan <shuaiyuan@microsoft.com>
## Summary of the Pull Request
This PR changes the method used to hide tool windows from the taskbar
and Alt+Tab to a more reliable approach.
Previously, this was achieved by adding `WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW` to an unowned
top-level window, which proved unreliable in several scenarios.
The new implementation assigns a hidden window as the owner of each tool
window.
This ensures that the window does not appear on the taskbar even when
the Windows setting
**Settings → System → Multitasking → On the taskbar, show all opened
windows** is set to **On all desktops**.
## Change log one-liner
Fixes Command Palette windows occasionally appearing on the taskbar
under certain system settings.
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] Closes: #42395
- [x] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If the work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [x] **Tests:** Added/updated and all pass
- [x] **Localization:** All end-user-facing strings can be localized
- [x] **Dev docs:** Added/updated
- [x] **New binaries:** none
- [x] **Documentation updated:** no need
<!-- 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
Tested alongside the stable CmdPal on a system with
## Summary of the Pull Request
This PR introduces a workaround for cases where DWM cloaking of the main
window fails.
If the main window cannot be cloaked by DWM, it will remain hidden until
the user explicitly summons it. (Normally, we cloak the window and
immediately display it under DWM's cover of darkness. When cloaking
fails, the windows would be displayed permanently.)
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] Closes: #42082
- [ ] **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
## Summary of the Pull Request
Replaces the `SetVisibilityInSwitchers` method with `WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW`
style, removing reliance on the fragile `IsShownInSwitchers` property.
Explicitly overrides window corner preference so tool windows keep the
same rounded corners as regular app windows (tool windows otherwise
default to a smaller corner radius, which would change the look).
Benefits:
- Avoids use of the unreliable `IsShownInSwitchers` property, which has
multiple known failure cases.
- Allows window managers to correctly treat Command Palette as a popup
window rather than a normal app window, preventing unwanted tiling, grid
placement, or similar behaviors. This better matches the intended design
of CmdPal as an overlay UI.
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] Closes: #41772
- [x] Closes: #41593
- [ ] **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
<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it
fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)?
-->
## Summary of the Pull Request
This PR introduces a new way to reload extensions externally and makes
the feature configurable in the settings UI.
- Adds a new URI protocol command `x-cmdpal://reload` → triggers an
extension reload
- Introduces a new "For Developers" section on the General settings page
- Includes an option to enable/disable the external reload feature
- **Note:** This change depends on the fix in #41344 to work correctly.
Pictures? Pictures!
<img width="2312" height="1334" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/6457ef5b-e75e-4118-86b7-7e20505527a3"
/>
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] Closes: #40542
- [ ] **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
<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it
fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)?
-->
## Summary of the Pull Request
Refactors the logic that determines whether to ignore keyboard shortcuts
while in fullscreen mode. The check is now handled in `HandleSummon`,
which centralizes all precondition checks before delegating the actual
summoning to `HandleSummonCore`.
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] Closes: #41265
- [ ] **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
## Summary of the Pull Request
This PR makes passing arguments from a new instance to the existing one
more resilient:
- Fixes situations where `x-cmdpal://` links might not work as expected.
Instead of performing the intended action (e.g., `x-cmdpal://background`
or `x-cmdpal://settings`), they could incorrectly just summon the main
window.
- Refactors the `AppInstance.Activated` handler to be synchronous.
- The handler blocks `AppInstance.RedirectActivationToAsync` in the
caller.
- If it runs asynchronously (or offloads work to another thread,
including the UI thread), the calling instance may exit too soon,
preventing the activation arguments from being read.
- Adds a timeout and ensures the semaphore is always released so the
application can exit gracefully under all conditions.
- Adjusts handling for cases where the source application exits before
passing arguments by lowering the log severity to **Warning** and
providing a clearer, more descriptive message.
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [ ] Closes: #xxx
- [ ] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If the work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [x] **Tests:** yop
- [x] **Localization:** no need
- [x] **Dev docs:** no need
- [x] **New binaries:** none
- [x] **Documentation updated:** nope
<!-- 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
Tested with x-cmdpal://settings under normal conditions, and with CmdPal
deliberately slowed down to take its sweet time handling the arguments
(so the calling instance times out).
## Summary of the Pull Request
This change prevents unnecessary cloaking of a visible window when
showing it to the user, significantly reducing flickering. Some minor
flickering remains due to page content refreshes, but it is much less
noticeable.
New windows are now pre-cloaked immediately after creation. Cloaking is
explicitly applied only when an animation is expected (e.g., when
minimized).
Additionally, this change removes explicit window activation, as the
summon mechanism will activate the window as needed.
## PR Checklist
- [x] Closes: #40969
- [ ] **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
- [x] **Localization:** no need
- [x] **Dev docs:** none
- [x] **New binaries:** none
- [x] **Documentation updated:** none
## Detailed Description of the Pull Request / Additional comments
## Validation Steps Performed
## Summary of the Pull Request
Listener registers a hook on WH_KEYBOARD and raises an event when a key
is pressed down. Main window then uses it to handle the GoBack key that
we can't reach any other way.
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] Related to: #41011
- [ ] **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
What the title says. 😄
Rather than relying on the potentially overloaded `!=` or `==` operators
when checking for null, now we'll use the `is` expression (possibly
combined with the `not` operator) to ensure correct checking. Probably
overkill for many of these classes, but decided to err on the side of
consistency. Would matter more on classes that may be inherited or
extended.
Using `is` and `is not` will provide us a guarantee that no
user-overloaded equality operators (`==`/`!=`) is invoked when a
`expression is null` is evaluated.
In code form, changed all instances of:
```c#
something != null
something == null
```
to:
```c#
something is not null
something is null
```
The one exception was checking null on a `KeyChord`. `KeyChord` is a
struct which is never null so VS will raise an error when trying this
versus just providing a warning when using `keyChord != null`. In
reality, we shouldn't do this check because it can't ever be null. In
the case of a `KeyChord` it **would** be a `KeyChord` equivalent to:
```c#
KeyChord keyChord = new ()
{
Modifiers = 0,
Vkey = 0,
ScanCode = 0
};
```
related to some #40113 work
The extension SDK shouldn't rely on a preview version of the Windows
SDK. It should use the stable one.
Also moves some messages around that we didn't need
_targets #40504_
Major refactoring for #40113
This moves a large swath of the codebase to a `.Core` project. "Core"
doesn't have any explicit dependencies on "extensions", settings or the
current `MainListPage`. It's just a filterable list of stuff. This
should let us make this component a bit more reusable.
This is half of a PR. As I did this, I noticed a particular bit of code
for TopLevelVViewModels and CommandPaletteHost that was _very rough_.
Solving it in this PR would make "move everything to a new project" much
harder to review. So I'm submitting two PRs simultaneously, so we can
see the changes separately, then merge together.
## Summary of the Pull Request
Also runs the code through UI thread. it will ensure correct access to
_acrylicController, and also because the method touches UI element.
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] **Closes:** #38659
- [ ] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If the work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [x] **Tests:** Added/updated and all pass
- [x] **Localization:** All end-user-facing strings can be localized
- [x] **Dev docs:** Added/updated
- [x] **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)
- [x] **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
## Summary of the Pull Request
Otherwise, it silently fails to hide the window.
The problem is not visible to naked eye, since the window is already
cloaked.
## PR Checklist
- [x] **Closes:** #40535
- [ ] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If the work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [x] **Tests:** Added/updated and all pass
- [x] **Localization:** All end-user-facing strings can be localized
- [x] **Dev docs:** Added/updated
- [x] **New binaries:** Added on the required places
- [x] **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
## Detailed Description of the Pull Request / Additional comments
## Validation Steps Performed
Tested with an extension that return CommandResult.Dismiss and then
works with focused app
(https://github.com/CoreyHayward/CmdPal-InputTyper).
## Summary of the Pull Request
Ensures the Command Palette main window is brought to the front and made
topmost when shown. When the palette is hidden (cloaked but not
destroyed), it is moved to the bottom of the window stack to avoid
interfering with the user workflow. Dynamic removal of the topmost flag
is a precaution to prevent the cloak window from bothering user in
accessibility tools that too much -- in case they don't recognize cloak
windows as not visible).
## PR Checklist
- [x] **Closes:** #38726
- [ ] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If the work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [x] **Tests:** Nothing to test
- [x] **Localization:** Nothing to localize
- [x] **Dev docs:** Nothing to update
- [x] **New binaries:** No new binaries
- [x] **Documentation updated:** nothing to update
## Detailed Description of the Pull Request / Additional comments
## Validation Steps Performed
I've tested that the Command Palette window is display over other
top-most windows (e.g. Task Manager). I've tested that the command
palette is displayed over the Rainbow gadgets when it was originally
under the gadget.
<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it
fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)?
-->
## Summary of the Pull Request
This PR:
- Fixes the passing of activation arguments between instances.
- Adds defensive handling of exceptions if the activation argument is
corrupted.
- Ensures that the activation method is consistently handled on the main
thread.
- Updates the condition under which the main window is displayed after
startup or activation.
The main window will now be automatically shown when the app is started
or activated, except in the following cases:
- when started as a startup task,
- when started using x-cmdpal://background,
- when started using x-cmdpal://settings.
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] **Closes:** #39681
- [ ] **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
---------
Co-authored-by: Mike Griese <migrie@microsoft.com>
this is a port of ce15032 onto main, for just the FG change.
When we cloak our window, we want to make sure to _manually_ give FG
back to another window. Because apparently cloaked windows can have FG.
beacause that makes sense 🤦Closes#39638
supersedes #40431
Co-authored-by: jiripolasek <me@jiripolasek.com>
## Summary of the Pull Request
Ensures the Command Palette main window stays hidden from the taskbar
after Windows Explorer restarts. Also updates how app switcher
visibility is managed to prevent unhandled exceptions and avoid startup
crashes when Explorer is not running or is not responsive.
## PR Checklist
- [x] Closes: #40334
- [x] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If the work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [x] **Tests:** no tests
- [x] **Localization:** nothing to localize
- [x] **Dev docs:** nothing to update
- [x] **New binaries:** no new binaries
- [x] **Documentation updated:** nothing to update
## Detailed Description of the Pull Request / Additional comments
- Settings on the main window are reapplied after the taskbar is
re-created (e.g., after Windows Explorer restarts), restoring visibility
settings for the app switcher and taskbar button.
- Defensive handling of the property AppWindow.IsShownInSwitchers
controlling appearance in system representations such as ALT+TAB and the
taskbar, to avoid errors when Windows Explorer is not running (see
https://github.com/microsoft/microsoft-ui-xaml/issues/8596).
- Prevents application startup failures when the Command Palette is
launched in environments without Windows Explorer.
## Validation Steps Performed
- Verified that the CmdPal main window taskbar button is not visible
after Explorer is restarted (without an attached debugger).
- Verified that CmdPal can be started when Explorer is not running.
- Verified that the CmdPal main window taskbar button is visible after
Explorer is restarted (if a debugger is attached to CmdPal).
<!-- Let's say you wanted to add a hotkey to the Run command. And let's
say you wanted it to be Win+R. This lets you do that -->
We should apply the LLKH setting to all command hotkeys, not just the
global one.
<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it
fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)?
-->
## Summary of the Pull Request
<img width="151" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/994c06d0-e28f-4fa4-a8fe-043ec179ee82"
/>
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] **Closes:** #38303
- [ ] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If 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
- Move all system tray related code from main window code behind to a
dedicated service
- Add system tray menu
<!-- Describe how you validated the behavior. Add automated tests
wherever possible, but list manual validation steps taken as well -->
## Validation Steps Performed
Manually tested:
- Started CmdPal with tray icon enabled
- Started CmdPal with tray icon disabled
- Enabled/Disabled tray icon
- Tested tray menu commands
- Verified that the tray icon is visible after restarting explorer.exe
* MinWidth/Height and DPI-aware launch dimensions
* Making MainWindow DPI aware too
* Moving toastwindow to WinUIEx too
* Update MainWindow.xaml.cs
* Reverting back to the working logic
* Localizing settings window title
* Xaml formatting
* Update SettingsWindow.xaml.cs
Apps that want to show MSAL dialogs on the Command Palette would explode if they passed CmdPal's HWND to WithParentActivityOrWindow. It's not entirely clear why, but MSAL would explode if the parent HWND is hidden.
When the MSAL dialog opened, we'd hide ourselves, and badda bing, badda boom, the extension would crash.
MSAL dialogs will set us to WS_DISABLED right before the dialog is opened. Easy solution. Don't hide ourselves, if we're disabled.
Helps some friends not depend on the existence of Teams :P
<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)? -->
## Summary of the Pull Request
Added a settings to enable/disable the system tray icon (enabled by default).
Adopter the term "system tray icon" for consistency with Windows 11 settings.
<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist
- [x] **Closes:** #38407
Windows Command Palette ("CmdPal") is the next iteration of PowerToys Run. With extensibility at its core, the Command Palette is your one-stop launcher to start _anything_.
By default, CmdPal is bound to <kbd>Win+Alt+Space</kbd>.


----
This brings the current preview version of CmdPal into the upstream PowerToys repo. There are still lots of bugs to work out, but it's reached the state we're ready to start sharing it with the world. From here, we can further collaborate with the community on the features that are important, and ensuring that we've got a most robust API to enable developers to build whatever extensions they want.
Most of the built-in PT Run modules have already been ported to CmdPal's extension API. Those include:
* Installed apps
* Shell commands
* File search (powered by the indexer)
* Windows Registry search
* Web search
* Windows Terminal Profiles
* Windows Services
* Windows settings
There are a couple new extensions built-in
* You can now search for packages on `winget` and install them right from the palette. This also powers searching for extensions for the palette
* The calculator has an entirely new implementation. This is currently less feature complete than the original PT Run one - we're looking forward to updating it to be more complete for future ingestion in Windows
* "Bookmarks" allow you to save shortcuts to files, folders, and webpages as top-level commands in the palette.
We've got a bunch of other samples too, in this repo and elsewhere
### PowerToys specific notes
CmdPal will eventually graduate out of PowerToys to live as its own application, which is why it's implemented just a little differently than most other modules. Enabling CmdPal will install its `msix` package.
The CI was minorly changed to support CmdPal version numbers independent of PowerToys itself. It doesn't make sense for us to start CmdPal at v0.90, and in the future, we want to be able to rev CmdPal independently of PT itself.
Closes#3200, closes#3600, closes#7770, closes#34273, closes#36471, closes#20976, closes#14495
-----
TODOs et al
**Blocking:**
- [ ] Images and descriptions in Settings and OOBE need to be properly defined, as mentioned before
- [ ] Niels is on it
- [x] Doesn't start properly from PowerToys unless the fix PR is merged.
- https://github.com/zadjii-msft/PowerToys/pull/556 merged
- [x] I seem to lose focus a lot when I press on some limits, like between the search bar and the results.
- This is https://github.com/zadjii-msft/PowerToys/issues/427
- [x] Turned off an extension like Calculator and it was still working.
- Need to get rid of that toggle, it doesn't do anything currently
- [x] `ListViewModel.<FetchItems>` crash
- Pretty confident that was fixed in https://github.com/zadjii-msft/PowerToys/pull/553
**Not blocking / improvements:**
- Show the shortcut through settings, as mentioned before, or create a button that would open CmdPalette settings.
- When PowerToys starts, CmdPalette is always shown if enabled. That's weird when just starting PowerToys/ logging in to the computer with PowerToys auto-start activated. I think this should at least be a setting.
- Needing to double press a result for it to do the default action seems quirky. If one is already selected, I think just pressing should be enough for it to do the action.
- This is currently a setting, though we're thinking of changing the setting even more: https://github.com/zadjii-msft/PowerToys/issues/392
- There's no URI extension. Was surprised when typing a URL that it only proposed a web search.
- [x] There's no System commands extension. Was expecting to be able to quickly restart the computer by typing restart but it wasn't there.
- This is in PR https://github.com/zadjii-msft/PowerToys/pull/452
---------
Co-authored-by: joadoumie <98557455+joadoumie@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Jordi Adoumie <jordiadoumie@microsoft.com>
Co-authored-by: Mike Griese <zadjii@gmail.com>
Co-authored-by: Niels Laute <niels.laute@live.nl>
Co-authored-by: Michael Hawker <24302614+michael-hawker@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Stefan Markovic <57057282+stefansjfw@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Seraphima <zykovas91@gmail.com>
Co-authored-by: Jaime Bernardo <jaime@janeasystems.com>
Co-authored-by: Kristen Schau <47155823+krschau@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Eric Johnson <ericjohnson327@gmail.com>
Co-authored-by: Ethan Fang <ethanfang@microsoft.com>
Co-authored-by: Yu Leng (from Dev Box) <yuleng@microsoft.com>
Co-authored-by: Clint Rutkas <clint@rutkas.com>