rcmd for Windows

A Windows app switcher inspired by macOS's rcmd. Switch to applications instantly using Right Alt + letter shortcuts.

Features

• Instant app switching: Hold Right Alt and press the first letter of an app's process name
• System tray app: Runs quietly in the background
• Low-level keyboard hook: Captures Right Alt + letter combinations
• Automatic window enumeration: Finds running applications
• Restore minimized windows: Automatically restores windows before switching

How It Works

1. Hold the Right Alt key
2. Press a letter (a-z)
3. The app will switch to the first running application whose process name starts with that letter

Examples

• Right Alt + C → Chrome
• Right Alt + V → Visual Studio Code (or VS)
• Right Alt + N → Notepad
• Right Alt + E → Excel or Explorer

Building and Running

Prerequisites

• .NET 8.0 SDK or later
• Windows OS

Build

dotnet build

Run

dotnet run

The application will start in the system tray (look for a blue icon in your notification area).

Current Limitations (POC)

• Only matches by process name first letter
• No cycling between multiple apps with the same first letter yet
• No custom key assignments yet
• No configuration UI yet
• No ability to launch apps that aren't running yet
• Console output for debugging (will be hidden in release builds)

Next Steps

• Implement cycling between apps with the same first letter
• Add configuration file support (JSON)
• Allow custom letter assignments
• Launch apps that aren't running
• Add settings UI
• Optional visual overlay during switching
• Window-level switching (not just apps)
• Auto-start with Windows

Technical Details

• Uses Windows low-level keyboard hooks (SetWindowsHookEx)
• Right Alt virtual key code: VK_RMENU (0xA5)
• Window enumeration via EnumWindows API
• Window switching via SetForegroundWindow API
• Runs as a Windows Forms application for event loop and tray support