[PowerScripts] Make the new KBM editor's PowerScript action e2e-ready

The new Keyboard Manager editor (KeyboardManagerEditorUI) already exposes a
PowerScript action, but on a Debug build it couldn't locate PowerScripts.Host.exe
(it isn't copied next to the editor), so the picker came up empty.

- PowerScriptsCatalog.ResolveHostPath: add the same dev-bin fallback the Settings
  view-model uses (walk up from the editor's base dir and probe
  src\modules\PowerScripts\PowerScripts.Host\bin\{Debug,Release}). The editor can
  now enumerate system scripts and resolve the host path for the saved RunProgram
  mapping in a dev build.
- Add kbm-e2e.ps1: a self-contained end-to-end helper that forces the new editor
  (useNewEditor=true), opens it to assign a hotkey to a system PowerScript, then
  runs KeyboardManagerEngine standalone so the hotkey actually fires
  Host.exe run <id> — no full runner required.

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

src/common/ManagedCommon/ModuleType.cs

@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ namespace ManagedCommon
         Workspaces,
         GrabAndMove,
         ZoomIt,
+        PowerScripts,
         GeneralSettings,
     }
 }

src/modules/PowerScripts/Directory.Build.props

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+<Project>
+  <!--
+    PROTOTYPE-ONLY build props for the PowerScripts module.
+    Intentionally does NOT import the repo-root Directory.Build.props so the
+    prototype stays isolated from StyleCop / TreatWarningsAsErrors / Central
+    Package Management while we iterate. Before promoting PowerScripts out of
+    prototype status, delete this file so the projects inherit the standard
+    PowerToys build configuration and analyzers.
+  -->
+  <PropertyGroup>
+    <ManagePackageVersionsCentrally>false</ManagePackageVersionsCentrally>
+    <TreatWarningsAsErrors>false</TreatWarningsAsErrors>
+    <Nullable>enable</Nullable>
+    <ImplicitUsings>enable</ImplicitUsings>
+    <LangVersion>latest</LangVersion>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+</Project>

src/modules/PowerScripts/Directory.Build.targets

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+<Project>
+  <!-- Empty: stops MSBuild from walking up to the repo-root targets for the prototype. -->
+</Project>

src/modules/PowerScripts/Directory.Packages.props

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+<Project>
+  <!--
+    PROTOTYPE-ONLY: stops NuGet from discovering the repo-root Directory.Packages.props and
+    disables Central Package Management so the prototype projects can pin their own PackageReference
+    versions in isolation. Remove together with the local Directory.Build.props when promoting the
+    module to the standard PowerToys build.
+  -->
+  <PropertyGroup>
+    <ManagePackageVersionsCentrally>false</ManagePackageVersionsCentrally>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+</Project>

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Core.Tests/ManifestTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+// 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.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting;
+using PowerScripts.Core.Manifest;
+
+namespace PowerScripts.Core.Tests;
+
+[TestClass]
+public class ManifestTests
+{
+    [TestMethod]
+    public void Serializer_RoundTrips_WithCamelCaseEnums()
+    {
+        var manifest = new PowerScriptManifest
+        {
+            Id = "demo",
+            Name = "Demo",
+            Kind = ScriptKind.File,
+            Runtime = ScriptRuntime.PowerShell,
+            Entry = "run.ps1",
+            Input = new ScriptInput { Extensions = { ".png" }, MinFiles = 1, MaxFiles = 0 },
+            Output = new ScriptOutput { Type = ScriptOutputType.SideEffect },
+            Surfaces = { "contextMenu" },
+        };
+
+        var json = ManifestSerializer.Serialize(manifest);
+        StringAssert.Contains(json, "\"kind\": \"file\"");
+        StringAssert.Contains(json, "\"runtime\": \"powerShell\"");
+
+        var back = ManifestSerializer.Deserialize(json);
+        Assert.IsNotNull(back);
+        Assert.AreEqual(ScriptKind.File, back!.Kind);
+        Assert.AreEqual(ScriptOutputType.SideEffect, back.Output!.Type);
+        Assert.AreEqual(".png", back.Input!.Extensions[0]);
+    }
+
+    [TestMethod]
+    public void Validator_Flags_IdFolderMismatch()
+    {
+        var manifest = new PowerScriptManifest { Id = "abc", Name = "x", Entry = "run.ps1" };
+        var errors = ManifestValidator.Validate(manifest, folderName: "different");
+        Assert.IsTrue(errors.Any(e => e.Contains("must match the folder name")));
+    }
+
+    [TestMethod]
+    public void Validator_Flags_FileKind_WithoutExtensions()
+    {
+        var manifest = new PowerScriptManifest
+        {
+            Id = "abc",
+            Name = "x",
+            Entry = "run.ps1",
+            Kind = ScriptKind.File,
+        };
+
+        var errors = ManifestValidator.Validate(manifest, "abc");
+        Assert.IsTrue(errors.Any(e => e.Contains("input.extensions")));
+    }
+
+    [TestMethod]
+    public void Validator_Flags_MaxFiles_LessThanMin()
+    {
+        var manifest = new PowerScriptManifest
+        {
+            Id = "abc",
+            Name = "x",
+            Entry = "run.ps1",
+            Kind = ScriptKind.File,
+            Input = new ScriptInput { Extensions = { ".png" }, MinFiles = 3, MaxFiles = 2 },
+        };
+
+        var errors = ManifestValidator.Validate(manifest, "abc");
+        Assert.IsTrue(errors.Any(e => e.Contains("maxFiles")));
+    }
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Core.Tests/PowerScripts.Core.Tests.csproj

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
+  <PropertyGroup>
+    <TargetFramework>net10.0</TargetFramework>
+    <RootNamespace>PowerScripts.Core.Tests</RootNamespace>
+    <AssemblyName>PowerScripts.Core.Tests</AssemblyName>
+    <IsPackable>false</IsPackable>
+    <IsTestProject>true</IsTestProject>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.NET.Test.Sdk" Version="17.13.0" />
+    <PackageReference Include="MSTest.TestAdapter" Version="3.8.3" />
+    <PackageReference Include="MSTest.TestFramework" Version="3.8.3" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <ProjectReference Include="..\PowerScripts.Core\PowerScripts.Core.csproj" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+</Project>

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Core.Tests/ScriptRegistryTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+// 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.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting;
+using PowerScripts.Core.Manifest;
+using PowerScripts.Core.Registry;
+
+namespace PowerScripts.Core.Tests;
+
+[TestClass]
+public class ScriptRegistryTests
+{
+    private string _root = string.Empty;
+
+    [TestInitialize]
+    public void Setup()
+    {
+        _root = Path.Combine(Path.GetTempPath(), "powerscripts-tests-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(_root);
+    }
+
+    [TestCleanup]
+    public void Cleanup()
+    {
+        if (Directory.Exists(_root))
+        {
+            Directory.Delete(_root, recursive: true);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void WriteScript(string id, string manifestJson, string entryFile = "run.ps1")
+    {
+        var folder = Path.Combine(_root, id);
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(folder);
+        File.WriteAllText(Path.Combine(folder, "manifest.json"), manifestJson);
+        File.WriteAllText(Path.Combine(folder, entryFile), "# noop");
+    }
+
+    [TestMethod]
+    public void Load_Skips_Invalid_And_Records_Error()
+    {
+        WriteScript("good", """
+            { "id": "good", "name": "Good", "kind": "system", "entry": "run.ps1" }
+            """);
+
+        // id does not match the folder name -> should be rejected.
+        WriteScript("bad", """
+            { "id": "mismatch", "name": "Bad", "kind": "system", "entry": "run.ps1" }
+            """);
+
+        var registry = new ScriptRegistry(_root);
+        registry.Load();
+
+        Assert.AreEqual(1, registry.Scripts.Count);
+        Assert.AreEqual("good", registry.Scripts[0].Id);
+        Assert.AreEqual(1, registry.Errors.Count);
+    }
+
+    [TestMethod]
+    public void FileScriptsFor_Matches_Extension_And_Wildcard()
+    {
+        WriteScript("png-only", """
+            { "id": "png-only", "name": "PNG", "kind": "file", "entry": "run.ps1",
+              "input": { "extensions": [".png"], "minFiles": 1, "maxFiles": 0 } }
+            """);
+
+        WriteScript("any-file", """
+            { "id": "any-file", "name": "Any", "kind": "file", "entry": "run.ps1",
+              "input": { "extensions": ["*"], "minFiles": 1, "maxFiles": 0 } }
+            """);
+
+        var registry = new ScriptRegistry(_root);
+        registry.Load();
+
+        var forPng = registry.FileScriptsFor(".PNG").Select(s => s.Id).OrderBy(x => x).ToList();
+        CollectionAssert.AreEqual(new[] { "any-file", "png-only" }, forPng);
+
+        var forTxt = registry.FileScriptsFor(".txt").Select(s => s.Id).ToList();
+        CollectionAssert.AreEqual(new[] { "any-file" }, forTxt);
+    }
+
+    [TestMethod]
+    public void FileScriptsForSelection_Respects_MinMax_And_MixedExtensions()
+    {
+        WriteScript("single-png", """
+            { "id": "single-png", "name": "Single PNG", "kind": "file", "entry": "run.ps1",
+              "input": { "extensions": [".png"], "minFiles": 1, "maxFiles": 1 } }
+            """);
+
+        var registry = new ScriptRegistry(_root);
+        registry.Load();
+
+        // Two files exceeds maxFiles=1.
+        Assert.AreEqual(0, registry.FileScriptsForSelection(new[] { "a.png", "b.png" }).Count());
+
+        // One file is fine.
+        Assert.AreEqual(1, registry.FileScriptsForSelection(new[] { "a.png" }).Count());
+
+        // Mixed extensions: not all match .png.
+        Assert.AreEqual(0, registry.FileScriptsForSelection(new[] { "a.txt" }).Count());
+    }
+
+    [TestMethod]
+    public void SystemScripts_Filters_ByKind()
+    {
+        WriteScript("sys", """
+            { "id": "sys", "name": "Sys", "kind": "system", "entry": "run.ps1" }
+            """);
+        WriteScript("file", """
+            { "id": "file", "name": "File", "kind": "file", "entry": "run.ps1",
+              "input": { "extensions": ["*"] } }
+            """);
+
+        var registry = new ScriptRegistry(_root);
+        registry.Load();
+
+        var system = registry.SystemScripts.Select(s => s.Id).ToList();
+        CollectionAssert.AreEqual(new[] { "sys" }, system);
+    }
+
+    [TestMethod]
+    public void Load_EmptyRoot_YieldsNoScripts()
+    {
+        var registry = new ScriptRegistry(_root);
+        registry.Load();
+        Assert.AreEqual(0, registry.Scripts.Count);
+        Assert.AreEqual(0, registry.Errors.Count);
+    }
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Core/Execution/ScriptExecutor.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,137 @@
+// 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 System.Diagnostics;
+using PowerScripts.Core.Manifest;
+
+namespace PowerScripts.Core.Execution;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// The outcome of running a PowerScript.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ScriptExecutionResult
+{
+    public int ExitCode { get; init; }
+
+    public bool Succeeded => ExitCode == 0;
+
+    public string StdOut { get; init; } = string.Empty;
+
+    public string StdErr { get; init; } = string.Empty;
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Runs a PowerScript. This is the single execution path shared by every surface (context menu,
+/// Keyboard Manager, Command Palette, agents) so behavior and security posture stay consistent.
+///
+/// Prototype security posture: always runs non-elevated under the invoking user's token, with the
+/// PowerShell profile disabled and a per-run execution policy of Bypass scoped to the launched
+/// process only. Signing / capability enforcement is intentionally out of scope for the prototype.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ScriptExecutor
+{
+    /// <summary>Environment variable the script can read to get the newline-separated input files.</summary>
+    public const string FilesEnvironmentVariable = "POWERSCRIPTS_FILES";
+
+    public ScriptExecutionResult Execute(
+        PowerScriptManifest manifest,
+        IReadOnlyList<string>? files = null,
+        IReadOnlyDictionary<string, string?>? parameters = null)
+    {
+        if (manifest.Runtime != ScriptRuntime.PowerShell)
+        {
+            throw new NotSupportedException($"Runtime '{manifest.Runtime}' is not supported in the prototype.");
+        }
+
+        if (!File.Exists(manifest.EntryFullPath))
+        {
+            throw new FileNotFoundException("Script entry file not found.", manifest.EntryFullPath);
+        }
+
+        files ??= Array.Empty<string>();
+
+        var psi = new ProcessStartInfo
+        {
+            FileName = ResolvePowerShellExecutable(),
+            UseShellExecute = false,
+            RedirectStandardOutput = true,
+            RedirectStandardError = true,
+            CreateNoWindow = true,
+            WorkingDirectory = manifest.FolderPath,
+        };
+
+        psi.ArgumentList.Add("-NoProfile");
+        psi.ArgumentList.Add("-NonInteractive");
+        psi.ArgumentList.Add("-ExecutionPolicy");
+        psi.ArgumentList.Add("Bypass");
+        psi.ArgumentList.Add("-File");
+        psi.ArgumentList.Add(manifest.EntryFullPath);
+
+        // Files are passed both as a -Files parameter (array binding) and via an environment
+        // variable so scripts can consume whichever is convenient.
+        if (files.Count > 0)
+        {
+            psi.ArgumentList.Add("-Files");
+            foreach (var file in files)
+            {
+                psi.ArgumentList.Add(file);
+            }
+
+            psi.Environment[FilesEnvironmentVariable] = string.Join('\n', files);
+        }
+
+        if (parameters is not null)
+        {
+            foreach (var (name, value) in parameters)
+            {
+                psi.ArgumentList.Add("-" + name);
+                psi.ArgumentList.Add(value ?? string.Empty);
+            }
+        }
+
+        using var process = new Process { StartInfo = psi };
+        process.Start();
+
+        // Read both streams concurrently to avoid pipe deadlock on large output.
+        var stdOutTask = process.StandardOutput.ReadToEndAsync();
+        var stdErrTask = process.StandardError.ReadToEndAsync();
+        process.WaitForExit();
+
+        return new ScriptExecutionResult
+        {
+            ExitCode = process.ExitCode,
+            StdOut = stdOutTask.GetAwaiter().GetResult(),
+            StdErr = stdErrTask.GetAwaiter().GetResult(),
+        };
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Prefers PowerShell 7+ (<c>pwsh</c>); falls back to Windows PowerShell (<c>powershell</c>).
+    /// </summary>
+    private static string ResolvePowerShellExecutable()
+    {
+        return ExistsOnPath("pwsh.exe") ? "pwsh.exe" : "powershell.exe";
+    }
+
+    private static bool ExistsOnPath(string fileName)
+    {
+        var pathVar = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("PATH") ?? string.Empty;
+        foreach (var dir in pathVar.Split(Path.PathSeparator, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries))
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                if (File.Exists(Path.Combine(dir.Trim(), fileName)))
+                {
+                    return true;
+                }
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                // Ignore malformed PATH entries.
+            }
+        }
+
+        return false;
+    }
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Core/Manifest/ManifestSerializer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+// 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 System.Text.Json;
+using System.Text.Json.Serialization;
+
+namespace PowerScripts.Core.Manifest;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Centralized JSON options and (de)serialization helpers for PowerScript manifests.
+/// </summary>
+public static class ManifestSerializer
+{
+    public static JsonSerializerOptions Options { get; } = CreateOptions();
+
+    private static JsonSerializerOptions CreateOptions()
+    {
+        var options = new JsonSerializerOptions
+        {
+            PropertyNamingPolicy = JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase,
+            PropertyNameCaseInsensitive = true,
+            ReadCommentHandling = JsonCommentHandling.Skip,
+            AllowTrailingCommas = true,
+            WriteIndented = true,
+            DefaultIgnoreCondition = JsonIgnoreCondition.WhenWritingNull,
+        };
+
+        options.Converters.Add(new JsonStringEnumConverter(JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase));
+        return options;
+    }
+
+    public static PowerScriptManifest? Deserialize(string json) =>
+        JsonSerializer.Deserialize<PowerScriptManifest>(json, Options);
+
+    public static string Serialize(PowerScriptManifest manifest) =>
+        JsonSerializer.Serialize(manifest, Options);
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Core/Manifest/ManifestValidator.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+// 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.
+
+namespace PowerScripts.Core.Manifest;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Validates a parsed manifest. Returns human-readable errors rather than throwing so the registry
+/// can skip a single bad script without failing the whole catalogue.
+/// </summary>
+public static class ManifestValidator
+{
+    public static IReadOnlyList<string> Validate(PowerScriptManifest manifest, string folderName)
+    {
+        var errors = new List<string>();
+
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(manifest.Id))
+        {
+            errors.Add("'id' is required.");
+        }
+        else if (!string.Equals(manifest.Id, folderName, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            errors.Add($"'id' ('{manifest.Id}') must match the folder name ('{folderName}').");
+        }
+
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(manifest.Name))
+        {
+            errors.Add("'name' is required.");
+        }
+
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(manifest.Entry))
+        {
+            errors.Add("'entry' is required.");
+        }
+        else if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(manifest.FolderPath) && !File.Exists(manifest.EntryFullPath))
+        {
+            errors.Add($"entry script not found: '{manifest.Entry}'.");
+        }
+
+        if (manifest.Kind == ScriptKind.File)
+        {
+            if (manifest.Input is null || manifest.Input.Extensions.Count == 0)
+            {
+                errors.Add("file scripts must declare 'input.extensions'.");
+            }
+
+            if (manifest.Input is { MinFiles: < 1 })
+            {
+                errors.Add("'input.minFiles' must be at least 1.");
+            }
+
+            if (manifest.Input is { MaxFiles: > 0 } input && input.MaxFiles < input.MinFiles)
+            {
+                errors.Add("'input.maxFiles' must be 0 (unbounded) or >= minFiles.");
+            }
+        }
+
+        return errors;
+    }
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Core/Manifest/PowerScriptManifest.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+// 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 System.Text.Json.Serialization;
+
+namespace PowerScripts.Core.Manifest;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// What a PowerScript operates on.
+/// </summary>
+public enum ScriptKind
+{
+    /// <summary>Acts on the PC; no file input. Surfaced via hotkey / Command Palette.</summary>
+    System,
+
+    /// <summary>Acts on one or more input files of a declared type. Surfaced in the right-click menu.</summary>
+    File,
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// The runtime used to execute a PowerScript. Only PowerShell is supported in the prototype;
+/// the field exists so Python / Node can be added without a schema break.
+/// </summary>
+public enum ScriptRuntime
+{
+    PowerShell,
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// The kind of result a file PowerScript produces.
+/// </summary>
+public enum ScriptOutputType
+{
+    None,
+
+    /// <summary>Produces a converted file (e.g. HEIC -> JPG).</summary>
+    ConvertedFile,
+
+    /// <summary>Performs a side effect (e.g. checksum, OCR, strip metadata).</summary>
+    SideEffect,
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Declares the file input contract for a <see cref="ScriptKind.File"/> script.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ScriptInput
+{
+    /// <summary>File extensions this script accepts (e.g. ".heic"). "*" means any extension.</summary>
+    public List<string> Extensions { get; set; } = new();
+
+    /// <summary>Minimum number of files required.</summary>
+    public int MinFiles { get; set; } = 1;
+
+    /// <summary>Maximum number of files; 0 means unbounded.</summary>
+    public int MaxFiles { get; set; }
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Declares the output contract for a <see cref="ScriptKind.File"/> script.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ScriptOutput
+{
+    public ScriptOutputType Type { get; set; } = ScriptOutputType.None;
+
+    /// <summary>For <see cref="ScriptOutputType.ConvertedFile"/>: the produced extension (e.g. ".jpg").</summary>
+    public string? Extension { get; set; }
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// A typed, user-editable parameter passed to the script.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ScriptParameter
+{
+    public string Name { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+    /// <summary>One of: "string", "int", "bool".</summary>
+    public string Type { get; set; } = "string";
+
+    public string? Default { get; set; }
+
+    public int? Min { get; set; }
+
+    public int? Max { get; set; }
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// The on-disk description of a single PowerScript. One script lives in its own folder containing
+/// a <c>manifest.json</c> (this type) plus the script body referenced by <see cref="Entry"/>.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class PowerScriptManifest
+{
+    public int SchemaVersion { get; set; } = 1;
+
+    /// <summary>Stable identifier; must match the containing folder name.</summary>
+    public string Id { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+    public string Name { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+    public string Description { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+    /// <summary>Optional icon file name, relative to the script folder.</summary>
+    public string? Icon { get; set; }
+
+    public ScriptKind Kind { get; set; }
+
+    public ScriptRuntime Runtime { get; set; } = ScriptRuntime.PowerShell;
+
+    /// <summary>Script body file name, relative to the script folder (e.g. "run.ps1").</summary>
+    public string Entry { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+    /// <summary>File input contract; required for <see cref="ScriptKind.File"/>.</summary>
+    public ScriptInput? Input { get; set; }
+
+    public ScriptOutput? Output { get; set; }
+
+    public List<ScriptParameter> Parameters { get; set; } = new();
+
+    /// <summary>Where the script appears, e.g. "contextMenu", "keyboardManager", "commandPalette".</summary>
+    public List<string> Surfaces { get; set; } = new();
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Declared capabilities (e.g. "fileRead", "fileWrite", "process"). Doubles as the user-consent
+    /// string and the permission contract an agent / MCP server must respect.
+    /// </summary>
+    public List<string> Capabilities { get; set; } = new();
+
+    /// <summary>Prototype always runs "asInvoker" (non-elevated).</summary>
+    public string Elevation { get; set; } = "asInvoker";
+
+    /// <summary>Absolute path to the folder that contains this manifest. Populated by the registry.</summary>
+    [JsonIgnore]
+    public string FolderPath { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+    /// <summary>Absolute path to the script body file.</summary>
+    [JsonIgnore]
+    public string EntryFullPath => string.IsNullOrEmpty(FolderPath) ? Entry : Path.Combine(FolderPath, Entry);
+
+    /// <summary>True if this script declares the given surface (case-insensitive).</summary>
+    public bool HasSurface(string surface) =>
+        Surfaces.Any(s => string.Equals(s, surface, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Core/PowerScripts.Core.csproj

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
+  <PropertyGroup>
+    <TargetFramework>net10.0</TargetFramework>
+    <RootNamespace>PowerScripts.Core</RootNamespace>
+    <AssemblyName>PowerScripts.Core</AssemblyName>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+</Project>

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Core/PowerScriptsPaths.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+// 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 System.Text.Json;
+
+namespace PowerScripts.Core;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Well-known filesystem locations for the PowerScripts module. The scripts root can be overridden
+/// (explicit path, environment variable, or a persisted user setting) which keeps tests and ad-hoc
+/// runs hermetic and lets the user point PowerScripts at their own folder from Settings.
+/// </summary>
+public static class PowerScriptsPaths
+{
+    /// <summary>Environment variable that overrides the default scripts root.</summary>
+    public const string RootEnvironmentVariable = "POWERSCRIPTS_ROOT";
+
+    /// <summary>The folder a single script lives in must contain a file with this name.</summary>
+    public const string ManifestFileName = "manifest.json";
+
+    /// <summary>The user-settings file name persisted next to the module data.</summary>
+    public const string ConfigFileName = "config.json";
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The module's data directory: <c>%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\PowerToys\PowerScripts</c>.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static string ModuleDirectory
+    {
+        get
+        {
+            var localAppData = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData);
+            return Path.Combine(localAppData, "Microsoft", "PowerToys", "PowerScripts");
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>The user-settings file that persists the chosen scripts root.</summary>
+    public static string ConfigFilePath => Path.Combine(ModuleDirectory, ConfigFileName);
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Default scripts root:
+    /// <c>%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\PowerToys\PowerScripts\scripts</c>.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static string DefaultScriptsRoot => Path.Combine(ModuleDirectory, "scripts");
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Resolves the scripts root, honoring (in order): an explicit path, the environment override,
+    /// the persisted user setting, then the default.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static string ResolveScriptsRoot(string? explicitRoot = null)
+    {
+        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(explicitRoot))
+        {
+            return explicitRoot;
+        }
+
+        var fromEnv = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable(RootEnvironmentVariable);
+        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(fromEnv))
+        {
+            return fromEnv;
+        }
+
+        var fromConfig = ReadConfiguredScriptsRoot();
+        return string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(fromConfig) ? DefaultScriptsRoot : fromConfig;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Reads the user-chosen scripts root from <see cref="ConfigFilePath"/>, or <c>null</c> if it is
+    /// missing, empty, or unreadable.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static string? ReadConfiguredScriptsRoot()
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            if (!File.Exists(ConfigFilePath))
+            {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            using var stream = File.OpenRead(ConfigFilePath);
+            using var document = JsonDocument.Parse(stream);
+            if (document.RootElement.TryGetProperty("scriptsRoot", out var value) &&
+                value.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.String)
+            {
+                var root = value.GetString();
+                return string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(root) ? null : root;
+            }
+        }
+        catch (Exception)
+        {
+            // A corrupt or unreadable config simply falls back to the default.
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Persists the user-chosen scripts root to <see cref="ConfigFilePath"/>. Passing <c>null</c> or
+    /// whitespace clears the override so the default is used again.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static void SaveConfiguredScriptsRoot(string? root)
+    {
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(ModuleDirectory);
+        var normalized = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(root) ? string.Empty : root.Trim();
+        var json = JsonSerializer.Serialize(new { scriptsRoot = normalized }, new JsonSerializerOptions { WriteIndented = true });
+        File.WriteAllText(ConfigFilePath, json);
+    }
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Core/Registry/ScriptRegistry.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+// 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 PowerScripts.Core.Manifest;
+
+namespace PowerScripts.Core.Registry;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// A manifest that failed to load or validate, kept so the UI can surface problems.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed record ScriptLoadError(string FolderPath, string Message);
+
+/// <summary>
+/// The single source of truth for installed PowerScripts. Every surface (context menu, Keyboard
+/// Manager editor, Command Palette, agents) reads from this registry rather than defining scripts
+/// of its own. The registry only reads the filesystem; it never executes anything.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ScriptRegistry
+{
+    private readonly List<PowerScriptManifest> _scripts = new();
+    private readonly List<ScriptLoadError> _errors = new();
+
+    public ScriptRegistry(string? root = null)
+    {
+        Root = PowerScriptsPaths.ResolveScriptsRoot(root);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Absolute path to the scanned scripts root.</summary>
+    public string Root { get; }
+
+    public IReadOnlyList<PowerScriptManifest> Scripts => _scripts;
+
+    public IReadOnlyList<ScriptLoadError> Errors => _errors;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Scans <see cref="Root"/> for <c>&lt;id&gt;/manifest.json</c> folders, parses and validates each,
+    /// and rebuilds the in-memory catalogue. Bad scripts are recorded in <see cref="Errors"/> and skipped.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void Load()
+    {
+        _scripts.Clear();
+        _errors.Clear();
+
+        if (!Directory.Exists(Root))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        foreach (var folder in Directory.EnumerateDirectories(Root))
+        {
+            var manifestPath = Path.Combine(folder, PowerScriptsPaths.ManifestFileName);
+            if (!File.Exists(manifestPath))
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            PowerScriptManifest? manifest;
+            try
+            {
+                manifest = ManifestSerializer.Deserialize(File.ReadAllText(manifestPath));
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                _errors.Add(new ScriptLoadError(folder, $"failed to parse manifest.json: {ex.Message}"));
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            if (manifest is null)
+            {
+                _errors.Add(new ScriptLoadError(folder, "manifest.json deserialized to null."));
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            manifest.FolderPath = folder;
+
+            var folderName = new DirectoryInfo(folder).Name;
+            var validationErrors = ManifestValidator.Validate(manifest, folderName);
+            if (validationErrors.Count > 0)
+            {
+                _errors.Add(new ScriptLoadError(folder, string.Join(" ", validationErrors)));
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            _scripts.Add(manifest);
+        }
+
+        _scripts.Sort((a, b) => string.Compare(a.Name, b.Name, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+    }
+
+    public PowerScriptManifest? Get(string id) =>
+        _scripts.FirstOrDefault(s => string.Equals(s.Id, id, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+
+    /// <summary>System scripts (no file input) — candidates for Keyboard Manager / Command Palette.</summary>
+    public IEnumerable<PowerScriptManifest> SystemScripts =>
+        _scripts.Where(s => s.Kind == ScriptKind.System);
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// File scripts whose declared input extensions match the given file extension (e.g. ".png").
+    /// A declared extension of "*" matches anything. Used to build the right-click submenu.
+    /// </summary>
+    public IEnumerable<PowerScriptManifest> FileScriptsFor(string extension)
+    {
+        var ext = NormalizeExtension(extension);
+        return _scripts.Where(s =>
+            s.Kind == ScriptKind.File &&
+            s.Input is not null &&
+            s.Input.Extensions.Any(e => MatchesExtension(e, ext)));
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// File scripts that accept <em>all</em> of the given files (every extension matches and the
+    /// count is within the declared min/max). Used when a multi-file selection is right-clicked.
+    /// </summary>
+    public IEnumerable<PowerScriptManifest> FileScriptsForSelection(IReadOnlyCollection<string> files)
+    {
+        var extensions = files.Select(f => NormalizeExtension(Path.GetExtension(f))).Distinct().ToList();
+        return _scripts.Where(s =>
+            s.Kind == ScriptKind.File &&
+            s.Input is not null &&
+            extensions.All(ext => s.Input.Extensions.Any(e => MatchesExtension(e, ext))) &&
+            files.Count >= s.Input.MinFiles &&
+            (s.Input.MaxFiles == 0 || files.Count <= s.Input.MaxFiles));
+    }
+
+    private static string NormalizeExtension(string extension)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(extension))
+        {
+            return string.Empty;
+        }
+
+        return extension.StartsWith('.') ? extension.ToLowerInvariant() : "." + extension.ToLowerInvariant();
+    }
+
+    private static bool MatchesExtension(string declared, string normalizedTarget)
+    {
+        if (declared == "*")
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        return string.Equals(NormalizeExtension(declared), normalizedTarget, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+    }
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Host/PowerScripts.Host.csproj

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
+  <PropertyGroup>
+    <OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
+    <TargetFramework>net10.0-windows</TargetFramework>
+    <RootNamespace>PowerScripts.Host</RootNamespace>
+    <AssemblyName>PowerScripts.Host</AssemblyName>
+    <InvariantGlobalization>true</InvariantGlobalization>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <ProjectReference Include="..\PowerScripts.Core\PowerScripts.Core.csproj" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+</Project>

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Host/Program.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,361 @@
+// 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 System.Text.Json;
+using PowerScripts.Core;
+using PowerScripts.Core.Execution;
+using PowerScripts.Core.Manifest;
+using PowerScripts.Core.Registry;
+
+namespace PowerScripts.Host;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// The shared PowerScripts executor / catalogue CLI.
+///
+/// This is the single invocation entry point every surface points at:
+///   - Keyboard Manager maps a hotkey to:        PowerScripts.Host.exe run &lt;id&gt;
+///   - The Explorer context menu invokes:         PowerScripts.Host.exe run &lt;id&gt; --files &lt;paths&gt;
+///   - The KBM editor / agents enumerate via:     PowerScripts.Host.exe list --json
+///
+/// Usage:
+///   PowerScripts.Host list [--json] [--root &lt;dir&gt;]
+///   PowerScripts.Host run &lt;id&gt; [--files &lt;f1&gt; &lt;f2&gt; ...] [--set name=value ...] [--root &lt;dir&gt;]
+/// </summary>
+internal static class Program
+{
+    private static int Main(string[] args)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            if (args.Length == 0)
+            {
+                PrintUsage();
+                return 1;
+            }
+
+            var (positional, options) = ParseArgs(args.Skip(1).ToArray());
+            var root = options.TryGetValue("root", out var r) ? r.FirstOrDefault() : null;
+
+            var registry = new ScriptRegistry(root);
+            registry.Load();
+
+            return args[0].ToLowerInvariant() switch
+            {
+                "list" => RunList(registry, options.ContainsKey("json")),
+                "run" => RunScript(registry, positional, options),
+                "kbm" => RunKbm(registry, positional, options.ContainsKey("json")),
+                "set-extensions" => RunSetExtensions(registry, positional, options),
+                "shell-menu" => RunShellMenu(registry, options),
+                "shell-install" => ShellRegistration.Install(registry, Environment.ProcessPath ?? "PowerScripts.Host.exe"),
+                "shell-uninstall" => ShellRegistration.Uninstall(registry),
+                "-h" or "--help" or "help" => PrintUsage(),
+                _ => Unknown(args[0]),
+            };
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            Console.Error.WriteLine($"PowerScripts error: {ex.Message}");
+            return 2;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static int RunList(ScriptRegistry registry, bool asJson)
+    {
+        if (asJson)
+        {
+            // Structured, permissioned capability list — also the shape the KBM editor picker and
+            // future agents/MCP servers consume.
+            var projection = registry.Scripts.Select(s => new
+            {
+                s.Id,
+                s.Name,
+                s.Description,
+                kind = s.Kind.ToString(),
+                runtime = s.Runtime.ToString(),
+                s.Surfaces,
+                s.Capabilities,
+                input = s.Input,
+                parameters = s.Parameters,
+            });
+
+            Console.WriteLine(JsonSerializer.Serialize(
+                projection,
+                new JsonSerializerOptions
+                {
+                    WriteIndented = true,
+                    PropertyNamingPolicy = JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase,
+                }));
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        Console.WriteLine($"Scripts root: {registry.Root}");
+        if (registry.Scripts.Count == 0)
+        {
+            Console.WriteLine("(no scripts found)");
+        }
+
+        foreach (var s in registry.Scripts)
+        {
+            Console.WriteLine($"  {s.Id,-24} [{s.Kind,-6}] {s.Name}");
+        }
+
+        foreach (var e in registry.Errors)
+        {
+            Console.Error.WriteLine($"  ! {e.FolderPath}: {e.Message}");
+        }
+
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    private static int RunScript(
+        ScriptRegistry registry,
+        IReadOnlyList<string> positional,
+        IReadOnlyDictionary<string, List<string>> options)
+    {
+        if (positional.Count == 0)
+        {
+            Console.Error.WriteLine("run: missing <id>.");
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        var id = positional[0];
+        var manifest = registry.Get(id);
+        if (manifest is null)
+        {
+            Console.Error.WriteLine($"run: no script with id '{id}'. Try 'list'.");
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        var files = options.TryGetValue("files", out var f) ? f : new List<string>();
+
+        var parameters = new Dictionary<string, string?>();
+        if (options.TryGetValue("set", out var sets))
+        {
+            foreach (var kv in sets)
+            {
+                var idx = kv.IndexOf('=');
+                if (idx <= 0)
+                {
+                    Console.Error.WriteLine($"run: --set expects name=value, got '{kv}'.");
+                    return 1;
+                }
+
+                parameters[kv[..idx]] = kv[(idx + 1)..];
+            }
+        }
+
+        var executor = new ScriptExecutor();
+        var result = executor.Execute(manifest, files, parameters);
+
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(result.StdOut))
+        {
+            Console.Out.Write(result.StdOut);
+        }
+
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(result.StdErr))
+        {
+            Console.Error.Write(result.StdErr);
+        }
+
+        return result.ExitCode;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Emits the Keyboard Manager "Run Program" mapping for a system PowerScript so a user (or the
+    /// future KBM editor picker) can bind a hotkey to it. KBM's existing RunProgram action already
+    /// supports this — no KBM engine change is needed. The app path + args go straight into the
+    /// editor's "Run Program" fields; <c>--json</c> emits the on-disk mapping shape (the user still
+    /// chooses the trigger keys, so <c>originalKeys</c> is left as a placeholder).
+    /// </summary>
+    private static int RunKbm(ScriptRegistry registry, IReadOnlyList<string> positional, bool asJson)
+    {
+        if (positional.Count == 0)
+        {
+            Console.Error.WriteLine("kbm: missing <id>.");
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        var manifest = registry.Get(positional[0]);
+        if (manifest is null)
+        {
+            Console.Error.WriteLine($"kbm: no script with id '{positional[0]}'. Try 'list'.");
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        var hostPath = Environment.ProcessPath ?? "PowerScripts.Host.exe";
+        var programArgs = $"run {manifest.Id}";
+
+        if (asJson)
+        {
+            // Field names match the KBM engine (see common/KeyboardManagerConstants.h /
+            // MappingConfiguration.cpp). Append this to remapShortcutsToRunProgram and set
+            // originalKeys to your chosen trigger (e.g. "162;91;83" for Ctrl+Win+S).
+            var mapping = new Dictionary<string, object>
+            {
+                ["originalKeys"] = "<set-your-trigger-keys>",
+                ["operationType"] = 1,
+                ["runProgramFilePath"] = hostPath,
+                ["runProgramArgs"] = programArgs,
+                ["runProgramStartInDir"] = string.Empty,
+                ["runProgramElevationLevel"] = 0,
+                ["runProgramAlreadyRunningAction"] = 0,
+                ["runProgramStartWindowType"] = 0,
+                ["unicodeText"] = "*Unsupported*",
+            };
+
+            Console.WriteLine(JsonSerializer.Serialize(mapping, new JsonSerializerOptions { WriteIndented = true }));
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        Console.WriteLine($"PowerScript '{manifest.Id}' ({manifest.Name}) — Keyboard Manager 'Run Program' action:");
+        Console.WriteLine($"  Program:    {hostPath}");
+        Console.WriteLine($"  Arguments:  {programArgs}");
+        Console.WriteLine();
+        Console.WriteLine("In Keyboard Manager: Remap a shortcut -> action 'Run Program', paste the values above,");
+        Console.WriteLine("then pick the trigger shortcut. (Use 'kbm <id> --json' for the raw mapping object.)");
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Emits the file scripts that match a right-clicked selection as tab-separated
+    /// <c>&lt;id&gt;\t&lt;name&gt;</c> lines (one per script). This is the machine-readable feed the
+    /// Windows 11 modern context-menu handler (IExplorerCommand) consumes to build its submenu; a
+    /// line-based format keeps the native handler free of a JSON parser.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static int RunShellMenu(ScriptRegistry registry, IReadOnlyDictionary<string, List<string>> options)
+    {
+        var files = options.TryGetValue("files", out var f) ? f : new List<string>();
+        if (files.Count == 0)
+        {
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        foreach (var script in registry.FileScriptsForSelection(files))
+        {
+            Console.WriteLine($"{script.Id}\t{script.Name}");
+        }
+
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Rewrites a file script's declared input extensions in its manifest.json. This is the write
+    /// side of the Settings "trigger on these file types" editor; the user picks the extensions and
+    /// every surface (context menu, selection matching) then reflects them. System scripts have no
+    /// file input, so they are rejected.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static int RunSetExtensions(
+        ScriptRegistry registry,
+        IReadOnlyList<string> positional,
+        IReadOnlyDictionary<string, List<string>> options)
+    {
+        if (positional.Count == 0)
+        {
+            Console.Error.WriteLine("set-extensions: missing <id>.");
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        var manifest = registry.Get(positional[0]);
+        if (manifest is null)
+        {
+            Console.Error.WriteLine($"set-extensions: no script with id '{positional[0]}'. Try 'list'.");
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        if (manifest.Kind != ScriptKind.File)
+        {
+            Console.Error.WriteLine($"set-extensions: '{manifest.Id}' is a {manifest.Kind} script; extensions only apply to File scripts.");
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        var raw = options.TryGetValue("ext", out var values) ? values : new List<string>();
+        var normalized = raw
+            .SelectMany(v => v.Split(new[] { ',', ';', ' ' }, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries))
+            .Select(NormalizeExtension)
+            .Where(e => !string.IsNullOrEmpty(e))
+            .Distinct(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+            .ToList();
+
+        if (normalized.Count == 0)
+        {
+            Console.Error.WriteLine("set-extensions: at least one extension is required (e.g. --ext .md .txt).");
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        manifest.Input ??= new ScriptInput();
+        manifest.Input.Extensions = normalized;
+
+        var manifestPath = Path.Combine(manifest.FolderPath, PowerScriptsPaths.ManifestFileName);
+        File.WriteAllText(manifestPath, ManifestSerializer.Serialize(manifest));
+
+        Console.WriteLine($"set-extensions: {manifest.Id} -> [{string.Join(", ", normalized)}]");
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Normalizes a user-typed extension to lower-case with a leading dot ("md" -> ".md").</summary>
+    private static string NormalizeExtension(string raw)
+    {
+        var e = raw.Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(e) || e == "*")
+        {
+            return e;
+        }
+
+        return e.StartsWith('.') ? e : "." + e;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Minimal parser. Recognizes <c>--name value [value ...]</c> (multi-value, e.g. --files) and
+    /// <c>--flag</c> (no value, e.g. --json). Everything else is positional.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static (List<string> Positional, Dictionary<string, List<string>> Options) ParseArgs(string[] args)
+    {
+        var positional = new List<string>();
+        var options = new Dictionary<string, List<string>>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+        string? current = null;
+        foreach (var arg in args)
+        {
+            if (arg.StartsWith("--", StringComparison.Ordinal))
+            {
+                current = arg[2..];
+                if (!options.ContainsKey(current))
+                {
+                    options[current] = new List<string>();
+                }
+            }
+            else if (current is not null)
+            {
+                options[current].Add(arg);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                positional.Add(arg);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return (positional, options);
+    }
+
+    private static int Unknown(string command)
+    {
+        Console.Error.WriteLine($"Unknown command '{command}'.");
+        PrintUsage();
+        return 1;
+    }
+
+    private static int PrintUsage()
+    {
+        Console.WriteLine("PowerScripts.Host — run and enumerate PowerScripts.");
+        Console.WriteLine();
+        Console.WriteLine("  list [--json] [--root <dir>]");
+        Console.WriteLine("  run <id> [--files <f1> <f2> ...] [--set name=value ...] [--root <dir>]");
+        Console.WriteLine("  kbm <id> [--json] [--root <dir>]    (Keyboard Manager 'Run Program' mapping)");
+        Console.WriteLine("  set-extensions <id> --ext <.md .txt ...>  (set a file script's trigger extensions)");
+        Console.WriteLine("  shell-menu --files <f1> <f2> ...    (tab-separated id/name of matching file scripts)");
+        Console.WriteLine("  shell-install [--root <dir>]        (register the Explorer right-click submenu)");
+        Console.WriteLine("  shell-uninstall [--root <dir>]      (remove the Explorer right-click submenu)");
+        return 0;
+    }
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScripts.Host/ShellRegistration.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+// 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.Win32;
+using PowerScripts.Core.Manifest;
+using PowerScripts.Core.Registry;
+
+namespace PowerScripts.Host;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Registers / unregisters the Explorer right-click "PowerScript" cascading submenu for file
+/// PowerScripts. For each file extension declared by a script, it writes a per-user shell verb under
+/// <c>HKCU\Software\Classes\SystemFileAssociations\&lt;ext&gt;\shell\PowerScripts</c> whose nested
+/// sub-verbs (one per matching script) invoke <c>PowerScripts.Host.exe run &lt;id&gt; --files "%1"</c>.
+///
+/// This is the prototype's context-menu surface: it needs no COM DLL and is driven entirely by the
+/// script registry, so right-click works immediately and reflects the installed scripts. The
+/// PowerScripts module (runner) calls <c>shell-install</c> on enable and <c>shell-uninstall</c> on
+/// disable.
+/// </summary>
+internal static class ShellRegistration
+{
+    private const string RootVerb = "PowerScripts";
+    private const string MenuLabel = "PowerScript";
+    private const string ClassesRoot = @"Software\Classes\SystemFileAssociations";
+
+    /// <summary>Marker value so uninstall only removes keys this tool created.</summary>
+    private const string OwnerMarkerName = "PowerScriptsOwned";
+
+    public static int Install(ScriptRegistry registry, string hostExePath)
+    {
+        // Group file scripts by each declared extension (skip the "*" wildcard for the static menu).
+        var byExtension = new Dictionary<string, List<PowerScriptManifest>>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        foreach (var script in registry.Scripts.Where(s => s.Kind == ScriptKind.File && s.Input is not null))
+        {
+            foreach (var rawExt in script.Input!.Extensions)
+            {
+                if (rawExt == "*")
+                {
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                var ext = rawExt.StartsWith('.') ? rawExt : "." + rawExt;
+                if (!byExtension.TryGetValue(ext, out var list))
+                {
+                    list = new List<PowerScriptManifest>();
+                    byExtension[ext] = list;
+                }
+
+                list.Add(script);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (byExtension.Count == 0)
+        {
+            Console.WriteLine("shell-install: no file scripts with concrete extensions to register.");
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        foreach (var (ext, scripts) in byExtension)
+        {
+            RemoveVerbForExtension(ext);
+
+            var verbPath = $@"{ClassesRoot}\{ext}\shell\{RootVerb}";
+            using var verbKey = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.CurrentUser.CreateSubKey(verbPath)!;
+            verbKey.SetValue("MUIVerb", MenuLabel);
+            verbKey.SetValue(OwnerMarkerName, 1, RegistryValueKind.DWord);
+
+            // Presence of "SubCommands" makes Explorer render the nested \shell verbs as a submenu.
+            verbKey.SetValue("SubCommands", string.Empty);
+
+            using var subShell = verbKey.CreateSubKey("shell")!;
+            foreach (var script in scripts)
+            {
+                using var item = subShell.CreateSubKey(script.Id)!;
+                item.SetValue("MUIVerb", script.Name);
+                using var command = item.CreateSubKey("command")!;
+                command.SetValue(null, $"\"{hostExePath}\" run {script.Id} --files \"%1\"");
+            }
+
+            Console.WriteLine($"  registered {scripts.Count} script(s) for {ext}");
+        }
+
+        Console.WriteLine($"shell-install: done ({byExtension.Count} extension(s)).");
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    public static int Uninstall(ScriptRegistry registry)
+    {
+        // Remove for every extension currently declared, plus best-effort sweep is unnecessary since
+        // we only ever create owned keys.
+        var extensions = registry.Scripts
+            .Where(s => s.Kind == ScriptKind.File && s.Input is not null)
+            .SelectMany(s => s.Input!.Extensions)
+            .Where(e => e != "*")
+            .Select(e => e.StartsWith('.') ? e : "." + e)
+            .Distinct(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+        foreach (var ext in extensions)
+        {
+            RemoveVerbForExtension(ext);
+        }
+
+        Console.WriteLine("shell-uninstall: done.");
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    private static void RemoveVerbForExtension(string ext)
+    {
+        var verbParent = $@"{ClassesRoot}\{ext}\shell";
+        using var shellKey = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(verbParent, writable: true);
+        if (shellKey is null)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Only delete the verb if we own it.
+        using (var verbKey = shellKey.OpenSubKey(RootVerb))
+        {
+            if (verbKey is null)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            if (verbKey.GetValue(OwnerMarkerName) is null)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+
+        shellKey.DeleteSubKeyTree(RootVerb, throwOnMissingSubKey: false);
+    }
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScriptsContextMenu/.gitignore

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# Native handler build artifacts
+*.dll
+*.lib
+*.exp
+*.obj
+*.pdb
+*.ilk
+# Host publish output used by register.ps1
+hostpublish/

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScriptsContextMenu/AppxManifest.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<Package
+  xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10"
+  xmlns:uap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10"
+  xmlns:rescap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10/restrictedcapabilities"
+  xmlns:desktop4="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/4"
+  xmlns:desktop5="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/5"
+  xmlns:uap10="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/10"
+  xmlns:com="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/com/windows10"
+  IgnorableNamespaces="uap rescap desktop4 desktop5 uap10 com">
+  <Identity Name="Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerScriptsContextMenu" ProcessorArchitecture="neutral" Publisher="CN=Microsoft Corporation, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US" Version="1.0.0.0" />
+  <Properties>
+    <DisplayName>PowerToys PowerScripts Context Menu</DisplayName>
+    <PublisherDisplayName>Microsoft</PublisherDisplayName>
+    <Logo>Assets\storelogo.png</Logo>
+  </Properties>
+  <Resources>
+    <Resource Language="en-us" />
+  </Resources>
+  <Dependencies>
+    <TargetDeviceFamily Name="Windows.Desktop" MinVersion="10.0.18950.0" MaxVersionTested="10.0.19000.0" />
+  </Dependencies>
+  <Capabilities>
+    <rescap:Capability Name="runFullTrust" />
+    <rescap:Capability Name="unvirtualizedResources" />
+  </Capabilities>
+  <Applications>
+    <Application Id="PowerScriptsContextMenu" Executable="PowerScripts.Host.exe" uap10:TrustLevel="mediumIL" uap10:RuntimeBehavior="win32App">
+      <uap:VisualElements AppListEntry="none" DisplayName="PowerToys PowerScripts Context Menu" Description="PowerScripts context menu handler" BackgroundColor="transparent" Square150x150Logo="Assets\Square150x150Logo.png" Square44x44Logo="Assets\Square44x44Logo.png">
+        <uap:DefaultTile Wide310x150Logo="Assets\Wide310x150Logo.png" Square310x310Logo="Assets\LargeTile.png" Square71x71Logo="Assets\SmallTile.png"></uap:DefaultTile>
+        <uap:SplashScreen Image="Assets\SplashScreen.png" />
+      </uap:VisualElements>
+      <Extensions>
+        <desktop4:Extension Category="windows.fileExplorerContextMenus">
+          <desktop4:FileExplorerContextMenus>
+            <desktop5:ItemType Type="*">
+              <desktop5:Verb Id="PowerScriptsCommand" Clsid="9FF7C126-9562-4F16-A6FB-9622B26E0D62" />
+            </desktop5:ItemType>
+          </desktop4:FileExplorerContextMenus>
+        </desktop4:Extension>
+        <com:Extension Category="windows.comServer" uap10:RuntimeBehavior="packagedClassicApp">
+          <com:ComServer>
+            <com:SurrogateServer DisplayName="PowerScripts context menu verb handler">
+              <com:Class Id="9FF7C126-9562-4F16-A6FB-9622B26E0D62" Path="PowerToys.PowerScriptsContextMenu.dll" ThreadingModel="STA" />
+            </com:SurrogateServer>
+          </com:ComServer>
+        </com:Extension>
+      </Extensions>
+    </Application>
+  </Applications>
+</Package>

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScriptsContextMenu/build.cmd

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+@echo off
+rem Builds the PowerScripts Windows 11 context-menu handler DLL (self-contained, no PowerToys deps).
+setlocal
+set "VCVARS=C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\18\Enterprise\VC\Auxiliary\Build\vcvars64.bat"
+if not exist "%VCVARS%" (
+    echo Could not find vcvars64.bat at "%VCVARS%". Edit build.cmd to point at your VS install.
+    exit /b 1
+)
+call "%VCVARS%" >nul || exit /b 1
+cd /d "%~dp0"
+cl /nologo /std:c++17 /EHsc /O2 /MT /DUNICODE /D_UNICODE /LD dllmain.cpp ^
+    /Fe:PowerToys.PowerScriptsContextMenu.dll ^
+    /link /DEF:dll.def shlwapi.lib runtimeobject.lib ole32.lib || exit /b 1
+echo Built PowerToys.PowerScriptsContextMenu.dll
+endlocal

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScriptsContextMenu/dll.def

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+EXPORTS
+    DllCanUnloadNow PRIVATE
+    DllGetClassObject PRIVATE
+    DllGetActivationFactory PRIVATE

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScriptsContextMenu/dllmain.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,388 @@
+// PowerScripts Windows 11 modern context-menu handler.
+//
+// A self-contained IExplorerCommand COM server (no PowerToys common dependencies). It surfaces a
+// top-level "PowerScript" entry with a dynamic submenu of the file scripts that match the current
+// selection. The actual matching/running logic lives in PowerScripts.Host.exe (deployed next to
+// this DLL); the handler is a thin shell that:
+//   * GetState  -> runs "Host shell-menu --files <paths>", caches the id/name lines, hides itself
+//                  when nothing matches.
+//   * EnumSubCommands -> turns each cached line into a submenu item.
+//   * Invoke (item) -> runs "Host run <id> --files <paths>".
+
+#include <windows.h>
+#include <shobjidl_core.h>
+#include <shlwapi.h>
+#include <wrl/module.h>
+#include <wrl/implements.h>
+#include <wrl/client.h>
+
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+using namespace Microsoft::WRL;
+
+namespace
+{
+    HMODULE g_hModule = nullptr;
+    long g_refModule = 0;
+
+    // Full path to PowerScripts.Host.exe, assumed to sit next to this DLL.
+    std::wstring FindHostExe()
+    {
+        wchar_t path[MAX_PATH] = {};
+        GetModuleFileNameW(g_hModule, path, ARRAYSIZE(path));
+        std::wstring dir(path);
+        const size_t slash = dir.find_last_of(L"\\/");
+        if (slash != std::wstring::npos)
+        {
+            dir.erase(slash + 1);
+        }
+        return dir + L"PowerScripts.Host.exe";
+    }
+
+    // Extracts the filesystem paths from a shell selection.
+    std::vector<std::wstring> ExtractPaths(IShellItemArray* selection)
+    {
+        std::vector<std::wstring> result;
+        if (selection == nullptr)
+        {
+            return result;
+        }
+
+        DWORD count = 0;
+        if (FAILED(selection->GetCount(&count)))
+        {
+            return result;
+        }
+
+        for (DWORD i = 0; i < count; ++i)
+        {
+            ComPtr<IShellItem> item;
+            if (FAILED(selection->GetItemAt(i, &item)))
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            PWSTR pszPath = nullptr;
+            if (SUCCEEDED(item->GetDisplayName(SIGDN_FILESYSPATH, &pszPath)) && pszPath != nullptr)
+            {
+                result.emplace_back(pszPath);
+                CoTaskMemFree(pszPath);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    // Quotes a single command-line argument.
+    std::wstring Quote(const std::wstring& value)
+    {
+        return L"\"" + value + L"\"";
+    }
+
+    std::wstring BuildFilesArguments(const std::vector<std::wstring>& files)
+    {
+        std::wstring args;
+        for (const auto& file : files)
+        {
+            args += L" " + Quote(file);
+        }
+        return args;
+    }
+
+    // Runs a Host command and returns its stdout. Used only for the (small) shell-menu listing.
+    std::wstring RunHostCapture(const std::wstring& arguments)
+    {
+        std::wstring output;
+
+        SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES sa = {};
+        sa.nLength = sizeof(sa);
+        sa.bInheritHandle = TRUE;
+
+        HANDLE readPipe = nullptr;
+        HANDLE writePipe = nullptr;
+        if (!CreatePipe(&readPipe, &writePipe, &sa, 0))
+        {
+            return output;
+        }
+        SetHandleInformation(readPipe, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0);
+
+        std::wstring commandLine = Quote(FindHostExe()) + L" " + arguments;
+
+        STARTUPINFOW si = {};
+        si.cb = sizeof(si);
+        si.dwFlags = STARTF_USESTDHANDLES | STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
+        si.wShowWindow = SW_HIDE;
+        si.hStdOutput = writePipe;
+        si.hStdError = writePipe;
+
+        PROCESS_INFORMATION pi = {};
+        std::vector<wchar_t> mutableCmd(commandLine.begin(), commandLine.end());
+        mutableCmd.push_back(L'\0');
+
+        if (!CreateProcessW(nullptr, mutableCmd.data(), nullptr, nullptr, TRUE, CREATE_NO_WINDOW, nullptr, nullptr, &si, &pi))
+        {
+            CloseHandle(readPipe);
+            CloseHandle(writePipe);
+            return output;
+        }
+
+        CloseHandle(writePipe);
+
+        char buffer[4096];
+        DWORD read = 0;
+        std::string raw;
+        while (ReadFile(readPipe, buffer, sizeof(buffer), &read, nullptr) && read > 0)
+        {
+            raw.append(buffer, read);
+        }
+
+        CloseHandle(readPipe);
+        WaitForSingleObject(pi.hProcess, 15000);
+        CloseHandle(pi.hProcess);
+        CloseHandle(pi.hThread);
+
+        if (!raw.empty())
+        {
+            const int needed = MultiByteToWideChar(CP_UTF8, 0, raw.c_str(), static_cast<int>(raw.size()), nullptr, 0);
+            if (needed > 0)
+            {
+                output.resize(needed);
+                MultiByteToWideChar(CP_UTF8, 0, raw.c_str(), static_cast<int>(raw.size()), output.data(), needed);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return output;
+    }
+
+    // Runs a Host command fire-and-forget (used to actually execute a script).
+    void RunHostDetached(const std::wstring& arguments)
+    {
+        std::wstring commandLine = Quote(FindHostExe()) + L" " + arguments;
+
+        STARTUPINFOW si = {};
+        si.cb = sizeof(si);
+        si.dwFlags = STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
+        si.wShowWindow = SW_HIDE;
+
+        PROCESS_INFORMATION pi = {};
+        std::vector<wchar_t> mutableCmd(commandLine.begin(), commandLine.end());
+        mutableCmd.push_back(L'\0');
+
+        if (CreateProcessW(nullptr, mutableCmd.data(), nullptr, nullptr, FALSE, CREATE_NO_WINDOW, nullptr, nullptr, &si, &pi))
+        {
+            CloseHandle(pi.hProcess);
+            CloseHandle(pi.hThread);
+        }
+    }
+
+    struct ScriptEntry
+    {
+        std::wstring Id;
+        std::wstring Name;
+    };
+
+    // Parses "id\tname" lines into entries.
+    std::vector<ScriptEntry> ParseMenu(const std::wstring& text)
+    {
+        std::vector<ScriptEntry> entries;
+        size_t start = 0;
+        while (start < text.size())
+        {
+            size_t end = text.find(L'\n', start);
+            std::wstring line = (end == std::wstring::npos) ? text.substr(start) : text.substr(start, end - start);
+            start = (end == std::wstring::npos) ? text.size() : end + 1;
+
+            if (!line.empty() && line.back() == L'\r')
+            {
+                line.pop_back();
+            }
+            if (line.empty())
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            const size_t tab = line.find(L'\t');
+            if (tab == std::wstring::npos)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            ScriptEntry entry;
+            entry.Id = line.substr(0, tab);
+            entry.Name = line.substr(tab + 1);
+            if (!entry.Id.empty())
+            {
+                entries.push_back(std::move(entry));
+            }
+        }
+        return entries;
+    }
+}
+
+// A single submenu item: "Convert Markdown to Text", etc.
+class PowerScriptSubCommand : public RuntimeClass<RuntimeClassFlags<ClassicCom>, IExplorerCommand>
+{
+public:
+    PowerScriptSubCommand(std::wstring id, std::wstring name, std::vector<std::wstring> files) :
+        m_id(std::move(id)), m_name(std::move(name)), m_files(std::move(files))
+    {
+    }
+
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetTitle(IShellItemArray*, PWSTR* name) override { return SHStrDupW(m_name.c_str(), name); }
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetIcon(IShellItemArray*, PWSTR* icon) override { *icon = nullptr; return E_NOTIMPL; }
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetToolTip(IShellItemArray*, PWSTR* tip) override { *tip = nullptr; return E_NOTIMPL; }
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetCanonicalName(GUID* guid) override { *guid = GUID_NULL; return S_OK; }
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetState(IShellItemArray*, BOOL, EXPCMDSTATE* state) override { *state = ECS_ENABLED; return S_OK; }
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetFlags(EXPCMDFLAGS* flags) override { *flags = ECF_DEFAULT; return S_OK; }
+    IFACEMETHODIMP EnumSubCommands(IEnumExplorerCommand** enumerator) override { *enumerator = nullptr; return E_NOTIMPL; }
+
+    IFACEMETHODIMP Invoke(IShellItemArray* selection, IBindCtx*) override
+    {
+        std::vector<std::wstring> files = m_files;
+        if (files.empty())
+        {
+            files = ExtractPaths(selection);
+        }
+
+        RunHostDetached(L"run " + m_id + L" --files" + BuildFilesArguments(files));
+        return S_OK;
+    }
+
+private:
+    std::wstring m_id;
+    std::wstring m_name;
+    std::vector<std::wstring> m_files;
+};
+
+// IEnumExplorerCommand over the submenu items.
+class PowerScriptEnum : public RuntimeClass<RuntimeClassFlags<ClassicCom>, IEnumExplorerCommand>
+{
+public:
+    explicit PowerScriptEnum(std::vector<ComPtr<IExplorerCommand>> commands) :
+        m_commands(std::move(commands))
+    {
+    }
+
+    IFACEMETHODIMP Next(ULONG count, IExplorerCommand** commands, ULONG* fetched) override
+    {
+        ULONG produced = 0;
+        for (; produced < count && m_index < m_commands.size(); ++produced, ++m_index)
+        {
+            m_commands[m_index].CopyTo(&commands[produced]);
+        }
+        if (fetched != nullptr)
+        {
+            *fetched = produced;
+        }
+        return (produced == count) ? S_OK : S_FALSE;
+    }
+
+    IFACEMETHODIMP Skip(ULONG count) override
+    {
+        m_index += count;
+        return (m_index <= m_commands.size()) ? S_OK : S_FALSE;
+    }
+
+    IFACEMETHODIMP Reset() override
+    {
+        m_index = 0;
+        return S_OK;
+    }
+
+    IFACEMETHODIMP Clone(IEnumExplorerCommand** out) override
+    {
+        *out = nullptr;
+        return E_NOTIMPL;
+    }
+
+private:
+    std::vector<ComPtr<IExplorerCommand>> m_commands;
+    size_t m_index = 0;
+};
+
+// Top-level "PowerScript" command with a dynamic submenu.
+class __declspec(uuid("9FF7C126-9562-4F16-A6FB-9622B26E0D62")) PowerScriptCommand :
+    public RuntimeClass<RuntimeClassFlags<ClassicCom>, IExplorerCommand, IObjectWithSite>
+{
+public:
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetTitle(IShellItemArray*, PWSTR* name) override { return SHStrDupW(L"PowerScript", name); }
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetIcon(IShellItemArray*, PWSTR* icon) override { *icon = nullptr; return E_NOTIMPL; }
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetToolTip(IShellItemArray*, PWSTR* tip) override { *tip = nullptr; return E_NOTIMPL; }
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetCanonicalName(GUID* guid) override { *guid = GUID_NULL; return S_OK; }
+
+    // Called before EnumSubCommands on the same instance; we use it to compute (and cache) the
+    // matching scripts and to hide the entry when nothing matches.
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetState(IShellItemArray* selection, BOOL, EXPCMDSTATE* state) override
+    {
+        m_files = ExtractPaths(selection);
+        m_entries.clear();
+
+        if (!m_files.empty())
+        {
+            const std::wstring output = RunHostCapture(L"shell-menu --files" + BuildFilesArguments(m_files));
+            m_entries = ParseMenu(output);
+        }
+
+        *state = m_entries.empty() ? ECS_HIDDEN : ECS_ENABLED;
+        return S_OK;
+    }
+
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetFlags(EXPCMDFLAGS* flags) override { *flags = ECF_HASSUBCOMMANDS; return S_OK; }
+
+    IFACEMETHODIMP EnumSubCommands(IEnumExplorerCommand** enumerator) override
+    {
+        *enumerator = nullptr;
+
+        std::vector<ComPtr<IExplorerCommand>> commands;
+        for (const auto& entry : m_entries)
+        {
+            commands.push_back(Make<PowerScriptSubCommand>(entry.Id, entry.Name, m_files));
+        }
+
+        auto enumObject = Make<PowerScriptEnum>(std::move(commands));
+        return enumObject.CopyTo(enumerator);
+    }
+
+    IFACEMETHODIMP Invoke(IShellItemArray*, IBindCtx*) override { return S_OK; }
+
+    // IObjectWithSite
+    IFACEMETHODIMP SetSite(IUnknown* site) override { m_site = site; return S_OK; }
+    IFACEMETHODIMP GetSite(REFIID riid, void** ppv) override { return m_site.CopyTo(riid, ppv); }
+
+private:
+    ComPtr<IUnknown> m_site;
+    std::vector<std::wstring> m_files;
+    std::vector<ScriptEntry> m_entries;
+};
+
+CoCreatableClass(PowerScriptCommand);
+
+STDAPI DllGetActivationFactory(_In_ HSTRING activatableClassId, _COM_Outptr_ IActivationFactory** factory)
+{
+    return Module<ModuleType::InProc>::GetModule().GetActivationFactory(activatableClassId, factory);
+}
+
+STDAPI DllCanUnloadNow()
+{
+    return (Module<InProc>::GetModule().GetObjectCount() == 0 && g_refModule == 0) ? S_OK : S_FALSE;
+}
+
+STDAPI DllGetClassObject(_In_ REFCLSID rclsid, _In_ REFIID riid, _COM_Outptr_ void** ppv)
+{
+    return Module<InProc>::GetModule().GetClassObject(rclsid, riid, ppv);
+}
+
+BOOL APIENTRY DllMain(HMODULE hModule, DWORD reason, LPVOID)
+{
+    switch (reason)
+    {
+    case DLL_PROCESS_ATTACH:
+        g_hModule = hModule;
+        DisableThreadLibraryCalls(hModule);
+        break;
+    default:
+        break;
+    }
+    return TRUE;
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/PowerScriptsContextMenu/register.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+<#
+.SYNOPSIS
+    Builds and registers the PowerScripts Windows 11 modern context-menu handler as an
+    unsigned sparse (loose-file) MSIX package. Requires Developer Mode.
+
+.DESCRIPTION
+    1. Builds the native handler DLL (build.cmd).
+    2. Publishes PowerScripts.Host.exe (framework-dependent) next to the DLL.
+    3. Copies the manifest + logo assets into a deploy folder.
+    4. Registers the package in place via Add-AppxPackage -Register.
+
+    Run register.ps1 -Unregister to remove it.
+#>
+[CmdletBinding()]
+param(
+    [switch]$Unregister,
+    [ValidateSet('Debug', 'Release')]
+    [string]$Configuration = 'Debug'
+)
+
+$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
+$PackageName = 'Microsoft.PowerToys.PowerScriptsContextMenu'
+$here = Split-Path -Parent $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Definition
+$deployDir = Join-Path $env:LOCALAPPDATA 'Microsoft\PowerToys\PowerScriptsContextMenu'
+
+if ($Unregister)
+{
+    $pkg = Get-AppxPackage -Name $PackageName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+    if ($pkg)
+    {
+        Remove-AppxPackage -Package $pkg.PackageFullName
+        Write-Host "Unregistered $($pkg.PackageFullName)"
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        Write-Host "Package $PackageName is not registered."
+    }
+    return
+}
+
+Write-Host '== Building handler DLL =='
+& cmd /c "`"$here\build.cmd`""
+if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw 'DLL build failed.' }
+
+Write-Host '== Publishing PowerScripts.Host =='
+$hostProj = Join-Path $here '..\PowerScripts.Host\PowerScripts.Host.csproj'
+$hostPublish = Join-Path $here 'hostpublish'
+& dotnet publish $hostProj -c $Configuration -o $hostPublish --nologo | Out-Null
+if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw 'Host publish failed.' }
+
+Write-Host '== Staging deploy folder =='
+# Re-register cleanly: remove any prior registration before overwriting files.
+$existing = Get-AppxPackage -Name $PackageName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+if ($existing) { Remove-AppxPackage -Package $existing.PackageFullName }
+
+if (Test-Path $deployDir) { Remove-Item $deployDir -Recurse -Force }
+New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path $deployDir | Out-Null
+New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path (Join-Path $deployDir 'Assets') | Out-Null
+
+Copy-Item (Join-Path $here 'PowerToys.PowerScriptsContextMenu.dll') $deployDir -Force
+Copy-Item (Join-Path $here 'AppxManifest.xml') $deployDir -Force
+Copy-Item (Join-Path $hostPublish '*') $deployDir -Recurse -Force
+
+# Reuse the ImageResizer context-menu logo assets for the required tile slots.
+$assetSrc = Join-Path $here '..\..\..\modules\imageresizer\ImageResizerContextMenu\Assets\ImageResizer'
+foreach ($asset in 'storelogo.png', 'Square150x150Logo.png', 'Square44x44Logo.png', 'Wide310x150Logo.png', 'LargeTile.png', 'SmallTile.png', 'SplashScreen.png')
+{
+    Copy-Item (Join-Path $assetSrc $asset) (Join-Path $deployDir 'Assets') -Force
+}
+
+Write-Host '== Registering package =='
+Add-AppxPackage -Register (Join-Path $deployDir 'AppxManifest.xml')
+
+Write-Host "Registered. Deploy folder: $deployDir"
+Write-Host 'Right-click a matching file (e.g. a .md) to see the PowerScript submenu (restart Explorer if needed).'

src/modules/PowerScripts/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+# PowerScripts (prototype)
+
+> **Status: prototype.** Write a small script once and surface it across PowerToys.
+> This folder contains the **working core** (manifest schema, registry, shared executor
+> `PowerScripts.Host.exe`) plus sample scripts, and three **implemented surfaces**:
+> a Settings module page, the Explorer right-click menu, and the Keyboard Manager editor.
+
+## Implemented surfaces (prototype)
+
+| Surface | What it does | How |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| **Settings module** | New "PowerScripts" page in the Settings app that lists installed scripts and has an enable toggle. Enabling/disabling installs/removes the Explorer context-menu entries. | `src/settings-ui/.../Views/PowerScriptsPage.xaml(.cs)` + `PowerScriptsViewModel`; reads `Host.exe list --json`; toggle runs `Host.exe shell-install`/`shell-uninstall`. |
+| **Explorer right-click** | Right-click a file → "PowerScript" submenu lists scripts whose manifest declares that extension; clicking runs the script on the file. | `Host.exe shell-install` writes `HKCU\Software\Classes\SystemFileAssociations\<ext>\shell\PowerScripts` cascading verbs → `Host.exe run <id> --files "%1"`. |
+| **Keyboard Manager** | A new "PowerScript" action in the KBM editor; pick a system script and assign it to a hotkey. | `KeyboardManagerEditorUI` action picker saves an ordinary `RunProgram` mapping → `Host.exe run <id>`. |
+
+### End-to-end demo
+
+1. **Settings**: open Settings → PowerScripts → see `convert_md_to_txt`, `volume_up`, etc.; toggle on.
+2. **Context menu**: right-click a `.md` file → PowerScript → "Convert Markdown to Text" → a `.txt` is written next to it.
+3. **Keyboard Manager**: KBM editor → add mapping → action "PowerScript" → pick "Volume Up" → assign a shortcut.
+
+
+## The idea
+
+A **PowerScript** is a script plus a manifest, living in its own folder. Two flavours:
+
+- **System** (`kind: "system"`) — "do something on my PC". No file input. Triggered by a Keyboard
+  Manager hotkey (and later the Command Palette).
+- **File** (`kind: "file"`) — "do something with this file". Input is one or more files of declared
+  types. Surfaced in the Explorer right-click menu.
+
+Every surface is a thin consumer of one **registry** and invokes one **executor** — so a script is
+authored once and appears everywhere it's declared.
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+ Registry (PowerScripts.Core)  ──read──►  surfaces:
+   scans <root>/<id>/manifest.json          • Explorer context menu  (file actions)
+                                            • Keyboard Manager editor (system actions)
+                                            • Command Palette / Advanced Paste (later)
+        ▲                                          │ invoke
+        └──────────── all surfaces ────────────────┘
+                          ▼
+            PowerScripts.Host.exe (executor)
+              list [--json] | run <id> [--files ...] [--set k=v ...]
+```
+
+- **`PowerScripts.Core`** — manifest model + JSON (`Manifest/`), validation, registry (`Registry/`),
+  executor (`Execution/`).
+- **`PowerScripts.Host`** — the CLI every surface points at. `list --json` is the structured catalogue
+  the KBM editor picker and future agents/MCP consume; `run <id>` executes.
+- **`samples/`** — `system-snapshot` & `volume_up` (system), `sha256-checksum` & `convert_md_to_txt` (file).
+
+### Scripts root
+
+`%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\PowerToys\PowerScripts\scripts\<id>\manifest.json`
+(override with the `POWERSCRIPTS_ROOT` env var or `--root`).
+
+## Manifest schema (v1)
+
+```jsonc
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "id": "heic-to-jpg",            // must match the folder name
+  "name": "Convert HEIC to JPG",
+  "description": "…",
+  "kind": "file",                 // "system" | "file"
+  "runtime": "powershell",        // prototype: powershell only
+  "entry": "run.ps1",
+  "input": { "extensions": [".heic"], "minFiles": 1, "maxFiles": 0 }, // file kind
+  "output": { "type": "convertedFile", "extension": ".jpg" },
+  "parameters": [ { "name": "quality", "type": "int", "default": "90", "min": 1, "max": 100 } ],
+  "surfaces": ["contextMenu", "keyboardManager"],
+  "capabilities": ["fileWrite"],  // consent string + agent permission contract
+  "elevation": "asInvoker"        // prototype always runs non-elevated
+}
+```
+
+## Build & run
+
+```powershell
+cd src\modules\PowerScripts
+dotnet build PowerScripts.Host\PowerScripts.Host.csproj -c Debug
+
+$env:POWERSCRIPTS_ROOT = "$PWD\samples"
+$exe = "PowerScripts.Host\bin\Debug\net10.0\PowerScripts.Host.exe"
+& $exe list
+& $exe run system-snapshot
+& $exe run sha256-checksum --files C:\some\file.png
+```
+
+> The prototype projects are isolated from the repo build via local `Directory.Build.props`,
+> `Directory.Packages.props` and `nuget.config` (no StyleCop / warnings-as-errors / central package
+> management; restores from public nuget.org). Delete these three files when promoting the module to
+> follow standard PowerToys build rules.
+
+## Tests
+
+```powershell
+cd src\modules\PowerScripts
+dotnet test PowerScripts.Core.Tests\PowerScripts.Core.Tests.csproj
+```
+
+`PowerScripts.Core.Tests` (MSTest) covers manifest serialization/validation and the registry
+(extension + wildcard matching, multi-file selection min/max, kind filtering, invalid-script
+skipping). 9 tests, all passing.
+
+## Surface integration plans
+
+### 1. Keyboard Manager (system actions) — first priority
+
+KBM already has a `RunProgram` action, so a hotkey → PowerScript works **today**. Get the exact
+mapping for a system script:
+
+```powershell
+& $exe kbm system-snapshot          # prints Program path + Arguments for the editor
+& $exe kbm system-snapshot --json   # prints the raw remapShortcutsToRunProgram object
+```
+
+Then in Keyboard Manager → *Remap a shortcut* → action **Run Program**, paste the Program path and
+`run <id>` arguments and choose the trigger keys. The mapping persists as the existing engine shape
+(verified against `common/KeyboardManagerConstants.h`):
+
+```json
+{ "operationType": 1, "runProgramFilePath": "…\\PowerScripts.Host.exe", "runProgramArgs": "run system-snapshot", "unicodeText": "*Unsupported*" }
+```
+
+**Prototype goal — pick a PowerScript inside the editor** (instead of typing a path). The editor is
+**C# WinUI 3** (`PowerToys.KeyboardManagerEditorUI.exe`), a separate process that already reads JSON
+at runtime, so it can call `Host.exe list --json` to populate a script dropdown. Additive change-list
+(verified against the current source):
+
+- `Controls/UnifiedMappingControl.xaml.cs` — the nested `enum ActionType` (KeyOrShortcut, Text,
+  OpenUrl, OpenApp, MouseClick, Disable): add a `PowerScript` value; extend `CurrentActionType`,
+  `SetActionType`, `IsInputComplete`.
+- `Controls/UnifiedMappingControl.xaml` — add a `ComboBoxItem` (Tag `PowerScript`) to
+  `ActionTypeComboBox` and a `SwitchPresenter` `Case` hosting a script-picker ComboBox.
+- `Pages/MainPage.xaml.cs` — add a `UnifiedMappingControl.ActionType.PowerScript` arm to the save
+  `switch` (~line 390) that reuses the `SaveProgramMapping` path with
+  `ProgramPath = <PowerScripts.Host.exe>` and `ProgramArgs = "run <id>"`.
+- A small helper in `KeyboardManagerEditorUI` to load the script list (shell out to `Host.exe
+  list --json`, like `Settings/SettingsManager.cs` reads its JSON).
+- **No KBM engine change** — it stays a `RunProgram` mapping.
+
+> The editor-picker edits live in the shared KBM WinUI project, which needs the full PowerToys build
+> (VS + internal NuGet feeds) to compile — do them in that environment. The `kbm` command above is
+> the verifiable, build-free path that already delivers hotkey → PowerScript.
+
+### 2. Explorer right-click (file actions)
+
+A single compiled `IExplorerCommand` COM handler (pattern: `src/modules/NewPlus/NewShellExtensionContextMenu`)
+reads the registry, filters `kind:"file"` scripts whose `input.extensions` match the selection, and
+shows a dynamic submenu. Invoking an item runs `Host.exe run <id> --files <paths>`.
+
+### Deferred (kept easy by the registry design)
+
+Command Palette (one `ICommandProvider` extension enumerating system scripts) and Advanced Paste —
+both become additional registry-reading adapters. No core changes expected.
+
+## Agent / AI tie-in (designed-for)
+
+`Host.exe list --json` already yields a structured, permissioned capability list and `run <id>` is
+the invoke — so an MCP server can expose installed PowerScripts as user-consented tools. AI authoring
+("generate a PowerScript that…") emits a manifest + script folder the user reviews once.

src/modules/PowerScripts/kbm-e2e.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+<#
+.SYNOPSIS
+    End-to-end test helper for invoking a PowerScript from Keyboard Manager (new editor).
+
+.DESCRIPTION
+    Self-contained KBM e2e that doesn't require the full PowerToys runner:
+
+      1. Forces the *new* Keyboard Manager editor (useNewEditor = true).
+      2. Launches PowerToys.KeyboardManagerEditorUI.exe so you can add a shortcut whose
+         action is "PowerScript" -> pick a system script (e.g. "Volume Up") -> Save.
+      3. Starts PowerToys.KeyboardManagerEngine.exe standalone, which reads the saved
+         default.json and installs the keyboard hook. Press your shortcut and the engine
+         runs PowerScripts.Host.exe run <id>.
+
+    Defaults assume a Debug build under <repo>\x64\Debug. Use -Configuration Release for a
+    release layout.
+
+.EXAMPLE
+    # Configure a hotkey, then start the engine and test:
+    pwsh -File kbm-e2e.ps1
+
+.EXAMPLE
+    # Skip the editor; just (re)start the engine to apply the current mappings:
+    pwsh -File kbm-e2e.ps1 -EngineOnly
+#>
+[CmdletBinding()]
+param(
+    [switch]$EngineOnly,
+    [ValidateSet('Debug', 'Release')]
+    [string]$Configuration = 'Debug'
+)
+
+$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
+
+# Repo root = four levels up from src\modules\PowerScripts.
+$repoRoot = (Resolve-Path (Join-Path $PSScriptRoot '..\..\..')).Path
+$binRoot = Join-Path $repoRoot "x64\$Configuration"
+$editorExe = Join-Path $binRoot 'WinUI3Apps\PowerToys.KeyboardManagerEditorUI.exe'
+$engineExe = Join-Path $binRoot 'KeyboardManagerEngine\PowerToys.KeyboardManagerEngine.exe'
+$kbmDir = Join-Path $env:LOCALAPPDATA 'Microsoft\PowerToys\Keyboard Manager'
+$settings = Join-Path $kbmDir 'settings.json'
+
+function Stop-ProcessesByName([string[]]$names)
+{
+    $ids = Get-Process -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Where-Object { $names -contains $_.Name } | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Id
+    foreach ($id in $ids) { try { Stop-Process -Id $id -Force } catch { } }
+}
+
+if (-not (Test-Path $engineExe)) { throw "Engine not found: $engineExe. Build KeyboardManagerEngine first." }
+
+# 1. Force the new editor.
+if (Test-Path $settings)
+{
+    $json = Get-Content $settings -Raw | ConvertFrom-Json
+    if ($json.properties.PSObject.Properties.Name -contains 'useNewEditor')
+    {
+        $json.properties.useNewEditor = $true
+    }
+    ($json | ConvertTo-Json -Depth 10) | Set-Content $settings -Encoding UTF8
+    Write-Host 'Set useNewEditor = true.'
+}
+
+# 2. Launch the new editor (unless engine-only) and wait for the user to finish.
+if (-not $EngineOnly)
+{
+    if (-not (Test-Path $editorExe)) { throw "Editor not found: $editorExe. Build KeyboardManagerEditorUI first." }
+
+    Write-Host ''
+    Write-Host 'Opening the NEW Keyboard Manager editor.' -ForegroundColor Cyan
+    Write-Host '  - Click "Add shortcut", set a trigger (e.g. Ctrl+Alt+U).'
+    Write-Host '  - Action type -> PowerScript -> pick a System script (e.g. Volume Up).'
+    Write-Host '  - Save, then CLOSE the editor window to continue.'
+    Write-Host ''
+
+    # Pass this process id as the parent so the editor stays open until you close it.
+    $editor = Start-Process -FilePath $editorExe -ArgumentList "$PID" -PassThru
+    $editor.WaitForExit()
+    Write-Host 'Editor closed.'
+}
+
+# 3. (Re)start the engine standalone so it applies the saved mappings.
+Stop-ProcessesByName @('PowerToys.KeyboardManagerEngine')
+Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 500
+$engine = Start-Process -FilePath $engineExe -PassThru
+Start-Sleep -Seconds 1
+
+if (Get-Process -Id $engine.Id -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)
+{
+    Write-Host ''
+    Write-Host "KBM engine running (pid $($engine.Id))." -ForegroundColor Green
+    Write-Host 'Press your configured shortcut now — the PowerScript should run.'
+    Write-Host "Stop the engine when done:  Stop-Process -Id $($engine.Id)"
+}
+else
+{
+    throw 'Engine exited immediately. Check the KBM logs under the Keyboard Manager\Logs folder.'
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/nuget.config

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<!--
+  PROTOTYPE-ONLY: restore the isolated PowerScripts prototype projects from public nuget.org instead
+  of the repo's auth-gated internal feed. Remove when promoting the module to the standard build.
+-->
+<configuration>
+  <packageSources>
+    <clear />
+    <add key="nuget.org" value="https://api.nuget.org/v3/index.json" />
+  </packageSources>
+</configuration>

src/modules/PowerScripts/samples/convert_md_to_txt/manifest.json

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "id": "convert_md_to_txt",
+  "name": "Convert Markdown to Text",
+  "description": "Convert the selected Markdown file(s) to a plain .txt file next to the original.",
+  "kind": "file",
+  "runtime": "powershell",
+  "entry": "run.ps1",
+  "input": {
+    "extensions": [".md"],
+    "minFiles": 1,
+    "maxFiles": 0
+  },
+  "output": {
+    "type": "convertedFile",
+    "extension": ".txt"
+  },
+  "surfaces": ["contextMenu"],
+  "capabilities": ["fileRead", "fileWrite"],
+  "elevation": "asInvoker"
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/samples/convert_md_to_txt/run.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+# Convert Markdown to Text — a "file" PowerScript surfaced on .md right-click.
+# Writes a plain .txt next to each selected .md file (light Markdown stripping).
+
+param(
+    [string[]]$Files
+)
+
+if (-not $Files -or $Files.Count -eq 0) {
+    if ($env:POWERSCRIPTS_FILES) {
+        $Files = $env:POWERSCRIPTS_FILES -split "`n"
+    }
+}
+
+if (-not $Files -or $Files.Count -eq 0) {
+    Write-Error 'No files provided.'
+    exit 1
+}
+
+foreach ($f in $Files) {
+    $path = $f.Trim()
+    if (-not $path) { continue }
+    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) {
+        Write-Warning "Not found: $path"
+        continue
+    }
+
+    $text = Get-Content -LiteralPath $path -Raw
+    # Light Markdown stripping: headings, emphasis markers, inline code backticks.
+    $text = $text -replace '(?m)^\s{0,3}#{1,6}\s*', ''
+    $text = $text -replace '(\*\*|__|\*|_|`)', ''
+
+    $out = [System.IO.Path]::ChangeExtension($path, '.txt')
+    Set-Content -LiteralPath $out -Value $text -Encoding UTF8
+    "Converted: $out"
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/samples/sha256-checksum/manifest.json

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "id": "sha256-checksum",
+  "name": "Compute SHA-256",
+  "description": "Compute the SHA-256 checksum of the selected file(s).",
+  "kind": "file",
+  "runtime": "powershell",
+  "entry": "run.ps1",
+  "input": {
+    "extensions": ["*"],
+    "minFiles": 1,
+    "maxFiles": 0
+  },
+  "output": {
+    "type": "sideEffect"
+  },
+  "surfaces": ["contextMenu"],
+  "capabilities": ["fileRead"],
+  "elevation": "asInvoker"
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/samples/sha256-checksum/run.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+# Compute SHA-256 — a "file" PowerScript.
+# Surfaced in the Explorer right-click menu for the selected file(s).
+# Files arrive both as -Files and via the POWERSCRIPTS_FILES environment variable.
+
+param(
+    [string[]]$Files
+)
+
+if (-not $Files -or $Files.Count -eq 0) {
+    if ($env:POWERSCRIPTS_FILES) {
+        $Files = $env:POWERSCRIPTS_FILES -split "`n"
+    }
+}
+
+if (-not $Files -or $Files.Count -eq 0) {
+    Write-Error 'No files provided.'
+    exit 1
+}
+
+foreach ($f in $Files) {
+    $path = $f.Trim()
+    if (-not $path) { continue }
+    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) {
+        Write-Warning "Not found: $path"
+        continue
+    }
+
+    $hash = Get-FileHash -LiteralPath $path -Algorithm SHA256
+    '{0}  {1}' -f $hash.Hash, $path
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/samples/system-snapshot/manifest.json

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "id": "system-snapshot",
+  "name": "System Snapshot",
+  "description": "Show computer name, OS and uptime.",
+  "kind": "system",
+  "runtime": "powershell",
+  "entry": "run.ps1",
+  "surfaces": ["keyboardManager", "commandPalette"],
+  "capabilities": ["systemInfo"],
+  "elevation": "asInvoker"
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/samples/system-snapshot/run.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# System Snapshot — a "system" PowerScript (no file input).
+# Surfaced via a Keyboard Manager hotkey or the Command Palette.
+
+$os = Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+
+[pscustomobject]@{
+    Computer = $env:COMPUTERNAME
+    User     = $env:USERNAME
+    OS       = if ($os) { $os.Caption } else { [System.Environment]::OSVersion.VersionString }
+    Uptime   = if ($os) { (Get-Date) - $os.LastBootUpTime } else { 'n/a' }
+    Time     = (Get-Date).ToString('s')
+} | Format-List

src/modules/PowerScripts/samples/volume_up/manifest.json

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "id": "volume_up",
+  "name": "Volume Up",
+  "description": "Raise the system volume a few steps.",
+  "kind": "system",
+  "runtime": "powershell",
+  "entry": "run.ps1",
+  "surfaces": ["keyboardManager", "commandPalette"],
+  "capabilities": ["systemControl"],
+  "elevation": "asInvoker"
+}

src/modules/PowerScripts/samples/volume_up/run.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# Volume Up — a "system" PowerScript (no file input).
+# Assign it to a hotkey in Keyboard Manager. Sends the system "Volume Up" media key a few times.
+
+$wsh = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
+for ($i = 0; $i -lt 4; $i++) {
+    # 0xAF (175) is the Volume Up virtual key.
+    $wsh.SendKeys([char]175)
+    Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 40
+}
+
+'Volume raised.'

src/modules/keyboardmanager/KeyboardManagerEditorUI/Controls/UnifiedMappingControl.xaml

@@ -212,6 +212,12 @@
                         <TextBlock x:Uid="ActionType_Disable_Text" />
                     </StackPanel>
                 </ComboBoxItem>
+                <ComboBoxItem Tag="PowerScript">
+                    <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal" Spacing="8">
+                        <FontIcon FontSize="14" Glyph="&#xE756;" />
+                        <TextBlock Text="PowerScript" />
+                    </StackPanel>
+                </ComboBoxItem>
                 <!--
                 <ComboBoxItem x:Uid="ActionType_MouseClick" Tag="MouseClick">
                     <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal" Spacing="8">
@@ -398,6 +404,27 @@
                         Foreground="{ThemeResource TextFillColorSecondaryBrush}"
                         TextWrapping="Wrap" />
                 </tkcontrols:Case>
+                <!--  PowerScript Action  -->
+                <tkcontrols:Case Value="PowerScript">
+                    <StackPanel Orientation="Vertical" Spacing="8">
+                        <TextBlock
+                            Foreground="{ThemeResource TextFillColorSecondaryBrush}"
+                            Text="Run a PowerScript when this shortcut is pressed."
+                            TextWrapping="Wrap" />
+                        <ComboBox
+                            x:Name="PowerScriptComboBox"
+                            HorizontalAlignment="Stretch"
+                            DisplayMemberPath="Name"
+                            PlaceholderText="Select a PowerScript"
+                            SelectionChanged="PowerScriptComboBox_SelectionChanged" />
+                        <TextBlock
+                            x:Name="PowerScriptEmptyHint"
+                            Foreground="{ThemeResource TextFillColorSecondaryBrush}"
+                            Text="No PowerScripts found. Enable the PowerScripts module and add a system script."
+                            TextWrapping="Wrap"
+                            Visibility="Collapsed" />
+                    </StackPanel>
+                </tkcontrols:Case>
             </tkcontrols:SwitchPresenter>
         </StackPanel>
         <!--  Validation InfoBar spanning all columns  -->

src/modules/keyboardmanager/KeyboardManagerEditorUI/Controls/UnifiedMappingControl.xaml.cs

@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ namespace KeyboardManagerEditorUI.Controls
         private readonly ObservableCollection<string> _triggerKeys = new();
         private readonly ObservableCollection<string> _actionKeys = new();
 
+        private readonly ObservableCollection<Helpers.PowerScriptInfo> _powerScripts = new();
+
         private bool _disposed;
         private bool _internalUpdate;
 
@@ -79,6 +81,7 @@ namespace KeyboardManagerEditorUI.Controls
             OpenApp,
             MouseClick,
             Disable,
+            PowerScript,
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -132,6 +135,7 @@ namespace KeyboardManagerEditorUI.Controls
                         "OpenApp" => ActionType.OpenApp,
                         "MouseClick" => ActionType.MouseClick,
                         "Disable" => ActionType.Disable,
+                        "PowerScript" => ActionType.PowerScript,
                         _ => ActionType.KeyOrShortcut,
                     };
                 }
@@ -151,6 +155,14 @@ namespace KeyboardManagerEditorUI.Controls
             TriggerKeys.ItemsSource = _triggerKeys;
             ActionKeys.ItemsSource = _actionKeys;
 
+            // Populate the PowerScripts picker (system scripts). Empty when PowerScripts isn't installed.
+            foreach (var script in Helpers.PowerScriptsCatalog.GetSystemScripts())
+            {
+                _powerScripts.Add(script);
+            }
+
+            PowerScriptComboBox.ItemsSource = _powerScripts;
+
             _triggerKeys.CollectionChanged += (_, _) =>
             {
                 UpdatePlaceholderVisibility();
@@ -267,6 +279,18 @@ namespace KeyboardManagerEditorUI.Controls
             RaiseValidationStateChanged();
         }
 
+        private void PowerScriptComboBox_SelectionChanged(object sender, SelectionChangedEventArgs e)
+        {
+            if (PowerScriptEmptyHint != null)
+            {
+                PowerScriptEmptyHint.Visibility = _powerScripts.Count == 0
+                    ? Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Visibility.Visible
+                    : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Visibility.Collapsed;
+            }
+
+            RaiseValidationStateChanged();
+        }
+
         private void ActionKeyToggleBtn_Checked(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
         {
             if (ActionKeyToggleBtn.IsChecked == true)
@@ -752,6 +776,26 @@ namespace KeyboardManagerEditorUI.Controls
         /// </summary>
         public string GetUrl() => UrlPathInput?.Text ?? string.Empty;
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Gets the selected PowerScript (for the PowerScript action type), or null if none selected.
+        /// </summary>
+        public Helpers.PowerScriptInfo? GetSelectedPowerScript() => PowerScriptComboBox?.SelectedItem as Helpers.PowerScriptInfo;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Selects the PowerScript with the given id in the picker, if present.
+        /// </summary>
+        public void SelectPowerScript(string id)
+        {
+            foreach (var script in _powerScripts)
+            {
+                if (string.Equals(script.Id, id, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                {
+                    PowerScriptComboBox.SelectedItem = script;
+                    return;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Gets the program path (for OpenApp action type).
         /// </summary>

src/modules/keyboardmanager/KeyboardManagerEditorUI/Helpers/PowerScriptInfo.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+// 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.
+
+namespace KeyboardManagerEditorUI.Helpers
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// A single PowerScript entry as surfaced to the Keyboard Manager editor's "PowerScript" action picker.
+    /// </summary>
+    public sealed class PowerScriptInfo
+    {
+        public string Id { get; init; } = string.Empty;
+
+        public string Name { get; init; } = string.Empty;
+
+        public string Description { get; init; } = string.Empty;
+
+        public string Kind { get; init; } = string.Empty;
+
+        public override string ToString() => Name;
+    }
+}

src/modules/keyboardmanager/KeyboardManagerEditorUI/Helpers/PowerScriptsCatalog.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+// 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 System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Diagnostics;
+using System.IO;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Text.Json;
+
+namespace KeyboardManagerEditorUI.Helpers
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Bridges the Keyboard Manager editor to the PowerScripts module.
+    ///
+    /// PowerScripts are surfaced through the shared executor <c>PowerScripts.Host.exe</c>. To keep the
+    /// editor decoupled from the PowerScripts assemblies, we shell out to <c>Host.exe list --json</c>
+    /// and parse the result. Selecting a "system" PowerScript in the editor then saves an ordinary
+    /// Keyboard Manager "Run Program" mapping whose target is <c>Host.exe run &lt;id&gt;</c>.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static class PowerScriptsCatalog
+    {
+        private const string HostExeName = "PowerScripts.Host.exe";
+
+        private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions JsonOptions = new() { PropertyNameCaseInsensitive = true };
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Resolves the full path to <c>PowerScripts.Host.exe</c>, or null if it can't be found.
+        /// Search order: explicit override env var, next to the editor, then the default install root.
+        /// </summary>
+        public static string? ResolveHostPath()
+        {
+            var overridePath = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("POWERSCRIPTS_HOST");
+            if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(overridePath) && File.Exists(overridePath))
+            {
+                return overridePath;
+            }
+
+            var candidates = new List<string>
+            {
+                Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, HostExeName),
+                Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, "PowerScripts", HostExeName),
+                Path.Combine(
+                    Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData),
+                    "Microsoft",
+                    "PowerToys",
+                    "PowerScripts",
+                    HostExeName),
+            };
+
+            // Prototype dev fallback: in an in-repo build the Host isn't copied next to the editor,
+            // so walk up from the base directory and probe the Host project's bin output. This keeps
+            // the PowerScript action usable for end-to-end testing from a Debug build.
+            var dir = new DirectoryInfo(AppContext.BaseDirectory);
+            while (dir is not null)
+            {
+                foreach (var config in new[] { "Debug", "Release" })
+                {
+                    var hostBin = Path.Combine(
+                        dir.FullName,
+                        "src",
+                        "modules",
+                        "PowerScripts",
+                        "PowerScripts.Host",
+                        "bin",
+                        config);
+
+                    if (Directory.Exists(hostBin))
+                    {
+                        var found = Directory
+                            .EnumerateFiles(hostBin, HostExeName, SearchOption.AllDirectories)
+                            .FirstOrDefault();
+                        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(found))
+                        {
+                            candidates.Add(found);
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                dir = dir.Parent;
+            }
+
+            foreach (var candidate in candidates)
+            {
+                if (File.Exists(candidate))
+                {
+                    return candidate;
+                }
+            }
+
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Returns the list of system PowerScripts available for hotkey assignment, or an empty list
+        /// when PowerScripts isn't installed or no system scripts exist.
+        /// </summary>
+        public static IReadOnlyList<PowerScriptInfo> GetSystemScripts()
+        {
+            var hostPath = ResolveHostPath();
+            if (hostPath is null)
+            {
+                return Array.Empty<PowerScriptInfo>();
+            }
+
+            try
+            {
+                var psi = new ProcessStartInfo
+                {
+                    FileName = hostPath,
+                    Arguments = "list --json",
+                    RedirectStandardOutput = true,
+                    UseShellExecute = false,
+                    CreateNoWindow = true,
+                };
+
+                using var process = Process.Start(psi);
+                if (process is null)
+                {
+                    return Array.Empty<PowerScriptInfo>();
+                }
+
+                string json = process.StandardOutput.ReadToEnd();
+                process.WaitForExit(5000);
+
+                var all = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<List<PowerScriptInfo>>(json, JsonOptions) ?? new List<PowerScriptInfo>();
+
+                var systemScripts = new List<PowerScriptInfo>();
+                foreach (var script in all)
+                {
+                    if (string.Equals(script.Kind, "system", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                    {
+                        systemScripts.Add(script);
+                    }
+                }
+
+                return systemScripts;
+            }
+            catch (Exception)
+            {
+                // Prototype: a missing/failed PowerScripts host simply yields no scripts to pick.
+                return Array.Empty<PowerScriptInfo>();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

src/modules/keyboardmanager/KeyboardManagerEditorUI/Pages/MainPage.xaml.cs

@@ -394,6 +394,7 @@ namespace KeyboardManagerEditorUI.Pages
                     UnifiedMappingControl.ActionType.OpenUrl => SaveUrlMapping(triggerKeys),
                     UnifiedMappingControl.ActionType.OpenApp => SaveProgramMapping(triggerKeys),
                     UnifiedMappingControl.ActionType.Disable => SaveDisableMapping(triggerKeys),
+                    UnifiedMappingControl.ActionType.PowerScript => SavePowerScriptMapping(triggerKeys),
                     UnifiedMappingControl.ActionType.MouseClick => throw new NotImplementedException("Mouse click remapping is not yet supported."),
                     _ => false,
                 };
@@ -439,6 +440,10 @@ namespace KeyboardManagerEditorUI.Pages
                     triggerKeys, UnifiedMappingControl.GetProgramPath(), isAppSpecific, appName, _mappingService!, _isEditMode),
                 UnifiedMappingControl.ActionType.Disable => ValidationHelper.ValidateDisableMapping(
                     triggerKeys, isAppSpecific, appName, _mappingService!, _isEditMode, editingRemapping),
+                UnifiedMappingControl.ActionType.PowerScript => UnifiedMappingControl.GetSelectedPowerScript() is null
+                    ? ValidationErrorType.EmptyProgramPath
+                    : ValidationHelper.ValidateAppMapping(
+                        triggerKeys, PowerScriptsCatalog.ResolveHostPath() ?? string.Empty, isAppSpecific, appName, _mappingService!, _isEditMode),
                 _ => ValidationErrorType.NoError,
             };
         }
@@ -683,6 +688,47 @@ namespace KeyboardManagerEditorUI.Pages
             return saved;
         }
 
+        private bool SavePowerScriptMapping(List<string> triggerKeys)
+        {
+            var script = UnifiedMappingControl.GetSelectedPowerScript();
+            if (script is null)
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            string hostPath = PowerScriptsCatalog.ResolveHostPath() ?? string.Empty;
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(hostPath))
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            string originalKeysString = string.Join(";", triggerKeys.Select(k => _mappingService!.GetKeyCodeFromName(k).ToString(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture)));
+
+            // A PowerScript hotkey is an ordinary "Run Program" mapping that invokes the shared executor.
+            var shortcutKeyMapping = new ShortcutKeyMapping
+            {
+                OperationType = ShortcutOperationType.RunProgram,
+                OriginalKeys = originalKeysString,
+                TargetKeys = originalKeysString,
+                ProgramPath = hostPath,
+                ProgramArgs = $"run {script.Id}",
+                StartInDirectory = string.Empty,
+                IfRunningAction = ProgramAlreadyRunningAction.StartAnother,
+                Visibility = StartWindowType.Hidden,
+                Elevation = ElevationLevel.NonElevated,
+                TargetApp = string.Empty,
+            };
+
+            bool saved = _mappingService!.AddShortcutMapping(shortcutKeyMapping);
+            if (saved)
+            {
+                _mappingService.SaveSettings();
+                SettingsManager.AddShortcutKeyMappingToSettings(shortcutKeyMapping);
+            }
+
+            return saved;
+        }
+
         #endregion
 
         #region Delete Handlers

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI.Library/EnabledModules.cs

@@ -218,6 +218,22 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library
             }
         }
 
+        private bool powerScripts; // defaulting to off
+
+        [JsonPropertyName("PowerScripts")]
+        public bool PowerScripts
+        {
+            get => powerScripts;
+            set
+            {
+                if (powerScripts != value)
+                {
+                    LogTelemetryEvent(value);
+                    powerScripts = value;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
         private bool mouseHighlighter = true;
 
         [JsonPropertyName("MouseHighlighter")]

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI.Library/Helpers/ModuleHelper.cs

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.Helpers
                 ModuleType.MeasureTool => "ms-appx:///Assets/Settings/Icons/ScreenRuler.png",
                 ModuleType.PowerLauncher => "ms-appx:///Assets/Settings/Icons/PowerToysRun.png",
                 ModuleType.GeneralSettings => "ms-appx:///Assets/Settings/Icons/PowerToys.png",
+                ModuleType.PowerScripts => "ms-appx:///Assets/Settings/Icons/PowerToys.png",
                 _ => $"ms-appx:///Assets/Settings/Icons/{moduleType}.png",
             };
         }
@@ -77,6 +78,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.Helpers
                 ModuleType.Workspaces => generalSettingsConfig.Enabled.Workspaces,
                 ModuleType.GrabAndMove => generalSettingsConfig.Enabled.GrabAndMove,
                 ModuleType.ZoomIt => generalSettingsConfig.Enabled.ZoomIt,
+                ModuleType.PowerScripts => generalSettingsConfig.Enabled.PowerScripts,
                 ModuleType.GeneralSettings => generalSettingsConfig.EnableQuickAccess,
                 _ => false,
             };
@@ -118,6 +120,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.Helpers
                 case ModuleType.Workspaces: generalSettingsConfig.Enabled.Workspaces = isEnabled; break;
                 case ModuleType.GrabAndMove: generalSettingsConfig.Enabled.GrabAndMove = isEnabled; break;
                 case ModuleType.ZoomIt: generalSettingsConfig.Enabled.ZoomIt = isEnabled; break;
+                case ModuleType.PowerScripts: generalSettingsConfig.Enabled.PowerScripts = isEnabled; break;
                 case ModuleType.GeneralSettings: generalSettingsConfig.EnableQuickAccess = isEnabled; break;
             }
         }
@@ -162,6 +165,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.Helpers
                 ModuleType.Workspaces => WorkspacesSettings.ModuleName,
                 ModuleType.GrabAndMove => GrabAndMoveSettings.ModuleName,
                 ModuleType.ZoomIt => ZoomItSettings.ModuleName,
+                ModuleType.PowerScripts => "PowerScripts", // Prototype: no dedicated settings class
                 _ => moduleType.ToString(),
             };
         }

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/Helpers/ModuleGpoHelper.cs

@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Helpers
                 ModuleType.AdvancedPaste => typeof(AdvancedPastePage),
                 ModuleType.AlwaysOnTop => typeof(AlwaysOnTopPage),
                 ModuleType.Awake => typeof(AwakePage),
+                ModuleType.PowerScripts => typeof(PowerScriptsPage),
                 ModuleType.CmdPal => typeof(CmdPalPage),
                 ModuleType.ColorPicker => typeof(ColorPickerPage),
                 ModuleType.CropAndLock => typeof(CropAndLockPage),

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/App.xaml.cs

@@ -418,6 +418,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI
                 case "AdvancedPaste": return typeof(AdvancedPastePage);
                 case "AlwaysOnTop": return typeof(AlwaysOnTopPage);
                 case "Awake": return typeof(AwakePage);
+                case "PowerScripts": return typeof(PowerScriptsPage);
                 case "CmdNotFound": return typeof(CmdNotFoundPage);
                 case "ColorPicker": return typeof(ColorPickerPage);
                 case "LightSwitch": return typeof(LightSwitchPage);

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/PowerScriptsPage.xaml

@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+<local:NavigablePage
+    x:Class="Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views.PowerScriptsPage"
+    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
+    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
+    xmlns:controls="using:Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Controls"
+    xmlns:d="http://schemas.microsoft.com/expression/blend/2008"
+    xmlns:local="using:Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Helpers"
+    xmlns:mc="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006"
+    xmlns:tkcontrols="using:CommunityToolkit.WinUI.Controls"
+    xmlns:ui="using:CommunityToolkit.WinUI"
+    xmlns:viewModels="using:Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels"
+    d:DataContext="{d:DesignInstance Type=viewModels:PowerScriptsViewModel}"
+    AutomationProperties.LandmarkType="Main"
+    mc:Ignorable="d">
+
+    <controls:SettingsPageControl
+        x:Name="PowerScriptsSettingsPage"
+        ModuleDescription="Write a small script once and surface it everywhere — the Explorer right-click menu and Keyboard Manager. This is an experimental prototype."
+        ModuleTitle="PowerScripts"
+        IsTabStop="False">
+        <controls:SettingsPageControl.ModuleContent>
+            <StackPanel ChildrenTransitions="{StaticResource SettingsCardsAnimations}" Orientation="Vertical">
+                <tkcontrols:SettingsCard
+                    Name="PowerScriptsEnableSettingsCard"
+                    Description="Enable PowerScripts"
+                    Header="PowerScripts"
+                    HeaderIcon="{ui:FontIcon Glyph=&#xE756;}">
+                    <ToggleSwitch IsOn="{x:Bind ViewModel.IsEnabled, Mode=TwoWay}" />
+                </tkcontrols:SettingsCard>
+
+                <tkcontrols:SettingsCard
+                    Name="PowerScriptsFolderSettingsCard"
+                    Description="{x:Bind ViewModel.ScriptsFolder, Mode=OneWay}"
+                    Header="Scripts folder"
+                    HeaderIcon="{ui:FontIcon Glyph=&#xE8B7;}"
+                    IsEnabled="{x:Bind ViewModel.IsEnabled, Mode=OneWay}">
+                    <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal" Spacing="8">
+                        <Button
+                            x:Name="BrowseScriptsFolderButton"
+                            Click="BrowseScriptsFolderButton_Click"
+                            Content="Browse..." />
+                        <Button
+                            x:Name="ResetScriptsFolderButton"
+                            Click="ResetScriptsFolderButton_Click"
+                            Content="Reset"
+                            IsEnabled="{x:Bind ViewModel.IsCustomFolder, Mode=OneWay}" />
+                    </StackPanel>
+                </tkcontrols:SettingsCard>
+
+                <controls:SettingsGroup Header="Installed scripts" IsEnabled="{x:Bind ViewModel.IsEnabled, Mode=OneWay}">
+                    <InfoBar
+                        IsClosable="False"
+                        IsOpen="{x:Bind ViewModel.HasScripts, Mode=OneWay, Converter={StaticResource BoolNegationConverter}}"
+                        Message="No PowerScripts found. Pick a scripts folder above (or use the default) that contains script subfolders, each with a manifest.json."
+                        Severity="Informational" />
+
+                    <ItemsControl ItemsSource="{x:Bind ViewModel.Scripts, Mode=OneWay}">
+                        <ItemsControl.ItemTemplate>
+                            <DataTemplate x:DataType="viewModels:PowerScriptListItem">
+                                <tkcontrols:SettingsExpander
+                                    Margin="0,2,0,2"
+                                    Description="{x:Bind Description}"
+                                    Header="{x:Bind Name}"
+                                    IsExpanded="False">
+                                    <tkcontrols:SettingsExpander.HeaderIcon>
+                                        <FontIcon Glyph="{x:Bind KindGlyph}" />
+                                    </tkcontrols:SettingsExpander.HeaderIcon>
+                                    <TextBlock
+                                        VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                        Foreground="{ThemeResource TextFillColorSecondaryBrush}"
+                                        Text="{x:Bind Kind}" />
+                                    <tkcontrols:SettingsExpander.Items>
+                                        <tkcontrols:SettingsCard
+                                            ContentAlignment="Right"
+                                            Header="Trigger on file types"
+                                            Visibility="{x:Bind IsFileScript, Converter={StaticResource BoolToVisibilityConverter}}">
+                                            <TextBlock
+                                                VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                                Foreground="{ThemeResource TextFillColorSecondaryBrush}"
+                                                Text="{x:Bind ExtensionsDisplay}" />
+                                        </tkcontrols:SettingsCard>
+                                        <tkcontrols:SettingsCard ContentAlignment="Right" Header="Runtime">
+                                            <TextBlock
+                                                VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                                Foreground="{ThemeResource TextFillColorSecondaryBrush}"
+                                                Text="{x:Bind RuntimeDisplay}" />
+                                        </tkcontrols:SettingsCard>
+                                        <tkcontrols:SettingsCard ContentAlignment="Right" Header="Surfaces">
+                                            <TextBlock
+                                                VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                                Foreground="{ThemeResource TextFillColorSecondaryBrush}"
+                                                Text="{x:Bind SurfacesDisplay}" />
+                                        </tkcontrols:SettingsCard>
+                                        <tkcontrols:SettingsCard ContentAlignment="Right" Header="Capabilities">
+                                            <TextBlock
+                                                VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                                Foreground="{ThemeResource TextFillColorSecondaryBrush}"
+                                                Text="{x:Bind CapabilitiesDisplay}" />
+                                        </tkcontrols:SettingsCard>
+                                    </tkcontrols:SettingsExpander.Items>
+                                </tkcontrols:SettingsExpander>
+                            </DataTemplate>
+                        </ItemsControl.ItemTemplate>
+                    </ItemsControl>
+                </controls:SettingsGroup>
+            </StackPanel>
+        </controls:SettingsPageControl.ModuleContent>
+
+        <controls:SettingsPageControl.PrimaryLinks>
+            <controls:PageLink Link="https://aka.ms/PowerToysOverview" Text="Documentation" />
+        </controls:SettingsPageControl.PrimaryLinks>
+    </controls:SettingsPageControl>
+</local:NavigablePage>

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/PowerScriptsPage.xaml.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+// 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 System;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+
+using ManagedCommon;
+using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Helpers;
+using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library;
+using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.Interfaces;
+using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels;
+using Microsoft.UI.Xaml;
+
+namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
+{
+    public sealed partial class PowerScriptsPage : NavigablePage, IRefreshablePage
+    {
+        private readonly SettingsUtils _settingsUtils;
+        private readonly SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings> _generalSettingsRepository;
+
+        private PowerScriptsViewModel ViewModel { get; set; }
+
+        public PowerScriptsPage()
+        {
+            _settingsUtils = SettingsUtils.Default;
+            _generalSettingsRepository = SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(_settingsUtils);
+
+            ViewModel = new PowerScriptsViewModel(_generalSettingsRepository, ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage);
+            DataContext = ViewModel;
+
+            InitializeComponent();
+        }
+
+        public void RefreshEnabledState()
+        {
+            ViewModel.ReloadScripts();
+        }
+
+        private async void BrowseScriptsFolderButton_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
+        {
+            var folder = await PickSingleFolderDialog();
+            if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(folder))
+            {
+                ViewModel.SetScriptsFolder(folder);
+            }
+        }
+
+        private void ResetScriptsFolderButton_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
+        {
+            ViewModel.ResetScriptsFolder();
+        }
+
+        private async Task<string> PickSingleFolderDialog()
+        {
+            // Use the shell32 folder dialog (works even when Settings runs elevated), matching GeneralPage.
+            var hwnd = WinRT.Interop.WindowNative.GetWindowHandle(App.GetSettingsWindow());
+            return await Task.FromResult(ShellGetFolder.GetFolderDialog(hwnd));
+        }
+    }
+}

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/ShellPage.xaml

@@ -198,6 +198,12 @@
                             helpers:NavHelper.NavigateTo="views:AwakePage"
                             AutomationProperties.AutomationId="AwakeNavItem"
                             Icon="{ui:BitmapIcon Source=/Assets/Settings/Icons/Awake.png}" />
+                        <NavigationViewItem
+                            x:Name="PowerScriptsNavigationItem"
+                            Content="PowerScripts"
+                            helpers:NavHelper.NavigateTo="views:PowerScriptsPage"
+                            AutomationProperties.AutomationId="PowerScriptsNavItem"
+                            Icon="{ui:FontIcon Glyph=&#xE756;}" />
                         <NavigationViewItem
                             x:Name="CmdPalNavigationItem"
                             x:Uid="Shell_CmdPal"

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/Strings/en-us/Resources.resw

@@ -137,6 +137,14 @@
     <value>Screen Ruler</value>
     <comment>"Screen Ruler" is the name of the utility</comment>
   </data>
+  <data name="PowerScripts.ModuleTitle" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>PowerScripts</value>
+    <comment>"PowerScripts" is the name of the utility</comment>
+  </data>
+  <data name="PowerScripts.ModuleDescription" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Write a small script once and surface it across PowerToys and the Windows shell.</value>
+    <comment>Description of the PowerScripts utility</comment>
+  </data>
   <data name="MeasureTool_ActivationSettings.Header" xml:space="preserve">
     <value>Activation</value>
   </data>

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/ViewModels/PowerScriptInput.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+// 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 System.Collections.Generic;
+
+namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The declared file-input contract for a script. Mirrors the <c>input</c> object emitted by
+    /// <c>PowerScripts.Host.exe list --json</c>.
+    /// </summary>
+    public sealed class PowerScriptInput
+    {
+        public List<string> Extensions { get; set; } = new();
+    }
+}

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/ViewModels/PowerScriptListItem.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+// 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 System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+
+namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// A single PowerScript shown in the Settings list. This is a read-only projection of the
+    /// script's <c>manifest.json</c> (the source of truth), as emitted by
+    /// <c>PowerScripts.Host.exe list --json</c>. The Settings page only displays this information;
+    /// authors change it by editing the manifest.
+    /// </summary>
+    public sealed class PowerScriptListItem
+    {
+        public string Id { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+        public string Name { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+        public string Description { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+        public string Kind { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+        public string Runtime { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+        public PowerScriptInput Input { get; set; }
+
+        public List<string> Surfaces { get; set; } = new();
+
+        public List<string> Capabilities { get; set; } = new();
+
+        public string KindGlyph => string.Equals(Kind, "file", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+            ? "\uE8A5" // file action
+            : "\uE756"; // system action
+
+        /// <summary>True for file scripts, which can be triggered from the Explorer right-click menu.</summary>
+        public bool IsFileScript => string.Equals(Kind, "file", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+        /// <summary>Comma-separated trigger extensions declared in the manifest (file scripts only).</summary>
+        public string ExtensionsDisplay => Input?.Extensions is { Count: > 0 } exts
+            ? string.Join(", ", exts)
+            : "—";
+
+        /// <summary>Comma-separated list of the surfaces this script appears on.</summary>
+        public string SurfacesDisplay => Surfaces is { Count: > 0 }
+            ? string.Join(", ", Surfaces)
+            : "—";
+
+        /// <summary>Comma-separated list of the capabilities the script declares.</summary>
+        public string CapabilitiesDisplay => Capabilities is { Count: > 0 }
+            ? string.Join(", ", Capabilities)
+            : "—";
+
+        /// <summary>Friendly runtime label (e.g. "PowerShell").</summary>
+        public string RuntimeDisplay => string.IsNullOrEmpty(Runtime) ? "—" : Runtime;
+    }
+}

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/ViewModels/PowerScriptsViewModel.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,310 @@
+// 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 System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Collections.ObjectModel;
+using System.Diagnostics;
+using System.IO;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Text.Json;
+
+using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library;
+using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.Helpers;
+using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.Interfaces;
+
+namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
+{
+    public partial class PowerScriptsViewModel : Observable
+    {
+        private const string HostExeName = "PowerScripts.Host.exe";
+
+        private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions JsonOptions = new() { PropertyNameCaseInsensitive = true };
+
+        private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions WriteJsonOptions = new() { WriteIndented = true };
+
+        private readonly ISettingsRepository<GeneralSettings> _generalSettingsRepository;
+        private readonly Func<string, int> _sendConfigMsg;
+
+        private bool _isEnabled;
+        private string _scriptsFolder;
+
+        public PowerScriptsViewModel(ISettingsRepository<GeneralSettings> generalSettingsRepository, Func<string, int> sendConfigMsg)
+        {
+            ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(generalSettingsRepository);
+
+            _generalSettingsRepository = generalSettingsRepository;
+            _sendConfigMsg = sendConfigMsg;
+            _isEnabled = generalSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig.Enabled.PowerScripts;
+            _scriptsFolder = ResolveScriptsFolder();
+
+            Scripts = new ObservableCollection<PowerScriptListItem>();
+            ReloadScripts();
+        }
+
+        public ObservableCollection<PowerScriptListItem> Scripts { get; }
+
+        public bool HasScripts => Scripts.Count > 0;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// The folder PowerScripts scans for <c>&lt;id&gt;\manifest.json</c> script folders. Persisted to
+        /// the shared <c>config.json</c> so every surface (Settings, the Explorer context menu, and the
+        /// Keyboard Manager mapping) resolves the same folder.
+        /// </summary>
+        public string ScriptsFolder
+        {
+            get => _scriptsFolder;
+            private set
+            {
+                if (_scriptsFolder != value)
+                {
+                    _scriptsFolder = value;
+                    OnPropertyChanged();
+                    OnPropertyChanged(nameof(IsCustomFolder));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        public bool IsCustomFolder =>
+            !string.Equals(ScriptsFolder, DefaultScriptsFolder, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+        public bool IsEnabled
+        {
+            get => _isEnabled;
+            set
+            {
+                if (_isEnabled != value)
+                {
+                    _isEnabled = value;
+
+                    GeneralSettings generalSettings = _generalSettingsRepository.SettingsConfig;
+                    generalSettings.Enabled.PowerScripts = value;
+
+                    if (_sendConfigMsg != null)
+                    {
+                        var outgoing = new OutGoingGeneralSettings(generalSettings);
+                        _sendConfigMsg(outgoing.ToString());
+                    }
+
+                    // Prototype: wire the Explorer right-click submenu directly from Settings, so
+                    // enabling/disabling PowerScripts installs/removes the context-menu entries even
+                    // without a dedicated runner module.
+                    RunHostShellCommand(value ? "shell-install" : "shell-uninstall");
+
+                    OnPropertyChanged();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        public void ReloadScripts()
+        {
+            Scripts.Clear();
+            foreach (var script in LoadScriptsFromHost())
+            {
+                Scripts.Add(script);
+            }
+
+            OnPropertyChanged(nameof(HasScripts));
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>Persists a user-chosen scripts folder and refreshes every surface that reads it.</summary>
+        public void SetScriptsFolder(string folder)
+        {
+            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(folder))
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            SaveConfiguredScriptsRoot(folder.Trim());
+            ScriptsFolder = ResolveScriptsFolder();
+            ReloadScripts();
+
+            // Re-register the Explorer submenu so right-click entries reflect the new folder's scripts.
+            if (_isEnabled)
+            {
+                RunHostShellCommand("shell-install");
+            }
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>Clears the override so the default folder under %LOCALAPPDATA% is used again.</summary>
+        public void ResetScriptsFolder()
+        {
+            SaveConfiguredScriptsRoot(null);
+            ScriptsFolder = ResolveScriptsFolder();
+            ReloadScripts();
+
+            if (_isEnabled)
+            {
+                RunHostShellCommand("shell-install");
+            }
+        }
+
+        private static string ModuleDirectory => Path.Combine(
+            Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData),
+            "Microsoft",
+            "PowerToys",
+            "PowerScripts");
+
+        private static string ConfigFilePath => Path.Combine(ModuleDirectory, "config.json");
+
+        private static string DefaultScriptsFolder => Path.Combine(ModuleDirectory, "scripts");
+
+        private static string ResolveScriptsFolder()
+        {
+            var fromEnv = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("POWERSCRIPTS_ROOT");
+            if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(fromEnv))
+            {
+                return fromEnv;
+            }
+
+            try
+            {
+                if (File.Exists(ConfigFilePath))
+                {
+                    using var stream = File.OpenRead(ConfigFilePath);
+                    using var document = JsonDocument.Parse(stream);
+                    if (document.RootElement.TryGetProperty("scriptsRoot", out var value) &&
+                        value.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.String)
+                    {
+                        var root = value.GetString();
+                        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(root))
+                        {
+                            return root;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            catch (Exception)
+            {
+                // A corrupt or unreadable config falls back to the default.
+            }
+
+            return DefaultScriptsFolder;
+        }
+
+        private static void SaveConfiguredScriptsRoot(string folder)
+        {
+            Directory.CreateDirectory(ModuleDirectory);
+            var normalized = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(folder) ? string.Empty : folder.Trim();
+            var json = JsonSerializer.Serialize(new { scriptsRoot = normalized }, WriteJsonOptions);
+            File.WriteAllText(ConfigFilePath, json);
+        }
+
+        private static string ResolveHostPath()
+        {
+            var candidates = new List<string>
+            {
+                Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, HostExeName),
+                Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, "PowerScripts", HostExeName),
+                Path.Combine(ModuleDirectory, HostExeName),
+            };
+
+            // Prototype dev fallback: when running an in-repo build, the Host isn't copied next to
+            // Settings, so walk up from the base directory and probe the Host project's bin output.
+            var dir = new DirectoryInfo(AppContext.BaseDirectory);
+            while (dir is not null)
+            {
+                foreach (var config in new[] { "Debug", "Release" })
+                {
+                    var hostBin = Path.Combine(
+                        dir.FullName,
+                        "src",
+                        "modules",
+                        "PowerScripts",
+                        "PowerScripts.Host",
+                        "bin",
+                        config);
+
+                    if (Directory.Exists(hostBin))
+                    {
+                        var found = Directory
+                            .EnumerateFiles(hostBin, HostExeName, SearchOption.AllDirectories)
+                            .FirstOrDefault();
+                        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(found))
+                        {
+                            candidates.Add(found);
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                dir = dir.Parent;
+            }
+
+            foreach (var candidate in candidates)
+            {
+                if (File.Exists(candidate))
+                {
+                    return candidate;
+                }
+            }
+
+            return string.Empty;
+        }
+
+        private static void RunHostShellCommand(string command)
+        {
+            string hostPath = ResolveHostPath();
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(hostPath))
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            try
+            {
+                var psi = new ProcessStartInfo
+                {
+                    FileName = hostPath,
+                    Arguments = command,
+                    UseShellExecute = false,
+                    CreateNoWindow = true,
+                };
+
+                using var process = Process.Start(psi);
+                process?.WaitForExit(5000);
+            }
+            catch (Exception)
+            {
+                // Prototype: best-effort context-menu (un)registration.
+            }
+        }
+
+        private static IReadOnlyList<PowerScriptListItem> LoadScriptsFromHost()
+        {
+            string hostPath = ResolveHostPath();
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(hostPath))
+            {
+                return Array.Empty<PowerScriptListItem>();
+            }
+
+            try
+            {
+                var psi = new ProcessStartInfo
+                {
+                    FileName = hostPath,
+                    Arguments = "list --json",
+                    RedirectStandardOutput = true,
+                    UseShellExecute = false,
+                    CreateNoWindow = true,
+                };
+
+                using var process = Process.Start(psi);
+                if (process is null)
+                {
+                    return Array.Empty<PowerScriptListItem>();
+                }
+
+                string json = process.StandardOutput.ReadToEnd();
+                process.WaitForExit(5000);
+
+                return JsonSerializer.Deserialize<List<PowerScriptListItem>>(json, JsonOptions)
+                    ?? new List<PowerScriptListItem>();
+            }
+            catch (Exception)
+            {
+                // Prototype: a missing/failed host simply yields an empty list.
+                return Array.Empty<PowerScriptListItem>();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}