[Run] Tracker: An option to let running programs be first in the results list

[moxwel]

Summary of the new feature/enhancement

It would be more useful if already running programs are shown first in the results list in the quick launcher (like the old WindowWalker). Or maybe an option to change the priority.

Proposed technical implementation details (optional)

In the results list, the running programs should be first in the list.

[ianelletson]

I think this is related to/a duplicate of #3158

[ghost]

Sorry didn't see this - My issue #3185 is the same as this. Close or leave open?

[mrmcpowned]

Would it be possible to attach the ability to spawn a new instance of the app by holding a modifier while pressing enter/clicking? Like pressing enter/clicking will switch to the running process, but holding shift and then pressing enter/clicking will start a new process.

[STeeL835]

I think an ability to change priority of result categories in favor of windows of running processes (or even turning some of modules off as Windows Search already does many things PowerRun does) is a good thing, but as a compromise solution I can suggest adding mode switching characters, like in awesome bar in Firefox or like in shell module here, for example:

• > for shell module
• * for window walker
• = for calculator
• / for files search,
• + for apps to start etc.

That would allow to filter by needed results without going to settings.

Just need to make sure that there's a hint or a help panel that shows all these modes and that most essential modules get a character that is easily accessible on most keyboard layouts (@ is not accessible on RU layout, for example, need to switch to EN to type it, otherwise Shift+2 prints " instead), but the latter is probably a whim

[niels9001]

It would be really great if running apps would be prioritized. Here's a mock-up of what that experience could look like:

It groups the Window Walker results at the top of the list. Selecting it would bring up the running instance, on focus (or mouse over) the app icon would appear (like the 'Run as admin'/'Open path' icon does now) that'll launch a fresh instance of the app.

[ghost]

It would be really great if running apps would be prioritized. Here's a mock-up of what that experience could look like:

It groups the Window Walker results at the top of the list. Selecting it would bring up the running instance, on focus (or mouse over) the app icon would appear (like the 'Run as admin'/'Open path' icon does now) that'll launch a fresh instance of the app.

Looks great, Neils!

[c-vetter]

Since #4942 has been closed in favor of this issue, I think it's in order to reiterate here:

My understanding is that wox has been fully integrated, and WindowWalker made into a plugin. Therefore, a simple solution likely won't happen. With that in mind, what I'd like to see is the ability to launch PTRun with different hotkeys loading different sets of plugins. For example:
* F13: launcher + switcher (as per @chrobs)
* Alt+F13: process-killer
* F14: file-finder
* F15: clipboard-history

That way:
* the full power of a god search à la wox would be available
* each setup could be very fast
* one would not need keywords as with wox
* god search would not be a special case, but easily available to those who want it

The way I see it, having PTRun apply filters only after entering a special character or keyword must necessarily be slower than a process that is triggered with only those plugins that are actually relevant to what the user intends, no matter how well optimized. Therefore, I am positive that this is not just a matter of personal taste but a matter of architecture for speed, which is the most important aspect for such a tool, as @jsackmann has so well explained in #3357.

Beyond that, we can clearly see that different people have different usage scenarios. Having a straight-forward way of setting up those scenarios as needed would benefit everybody equally.

As for the sorting of results, my proposed separate plugin sets could be sorted sets. As a simple first version, results of different plugins could simply be concatenated. Later, they could be interleaved if a good, reliable weighting scheme can be implemented on top.

[chrobs]

Any updates here for the roadmap?

[saahmedm]

related to #5531 and #6129

[yasinkavakliat]

Any updates on this? This is one of the most important features for me and I assume for a lot of people.
Or at least a configuration option, where everyone can configure if they want to see the running apps on top or not.

[moxwel]

Finally, with the last release (v0.25.0), now searching for running processes and programs is more easy 😃

Better action key support

• = for direct calculator
• ? for direct file searching
• . for direct for applications
• // for direct URL
• < for running processes
• > for shell processes

At least for me, this is all I need, just put a < or . and then the name of the program does all the trick.

Maybe I can close the issue?

[Soneji]

Hi all

Thanks for the work on this. I too would like this sort of behaviour, and while the option to type < before every search works, I still believe that we should be able to change the priority, the order in which these plugins run.

For example:
I have set the activation phrase for Program to a . and I have unset the activation phrase for window walker, however these are still the results I get

I would want to have the existing instance show up as opposed to a new instance being created.

This means that the Program plugin is given priority over the Window Walker plugin. As a user, I would want to change this priority.

Could this maybe be reopened as I believe we still haven't achieved the original request, "option to let running programs be first in the results list". @moxwel

[chrobs]

@Soneji have a look in this issue #5962 , the last one related to this but still open ;)

[gitterspec]

Having to type < is still an extra hassle. I do think it's natural for running programs to be heavily priortized first. This is the only thing that's keeping me from moving away from WindowSwitcher.

[jsonMartin]

Having to type < is still an extra hassle. I do think it's natural for running programs to be heavily priortized first. This is the only thing that's keeping me from moving away from WindowSwitcher.

I agree, that's why I keep using Switcheroo myself as an Alt-Tab replacement. Otherwise, PowerToys Run is superior and I'd rather use it...

[STeeL835]

@jsonMartin Now Run plugins are configurable - in each plugin you can set your own activation sequence and turn off results without this sequence explicitly typed ("Include in global result" checkbox). I turned off global results for every plugin except Calculator, Window Walker and system commands (I search for files, programs, settings and run commands from regular Start menu search), and now it shows only running programs 99% of the time.

The only things that I miss are running program icons and highlighting of characters that matched fuzzy search (which for some reason doesn't work for Window Walker). But this issue is already kinda solved.

If you don't want to exclude plugins from global results, perhaps we should search/create an issue about plugin priorities (that would help with Window Walker and other plugins too)

[jsonMartin]

Ah @STeeL835 , thanks for the tip!

That does help quite a bit, but still not enough to make it a fully functional alt-tab replacement. Unless I'm missing something, there's no way just to pull up a list of all running programs without typing in keyword search? And yes, Icons and character highlighting would be great too.

It would be ideal to be able to also use Powertoys Run as a strict alt-tab replacement, tabbing through open applications while also allowing fuzzy search, like Switcheroo does. Maybe this would need to be triggered with a separate keyboard shortcut to not clutter up the search results (I'd still like to use the other plugs if possible, just have them sorted to the bottom)

[Sylk]

Going to tag along here, installed Power Toys today to get a direct replacement of Spotlight in mac. Is there a way to put the running applications at the top of the list? I've removed the direct activation command for window walker so that it can now find them without actually typing anything extra.

IE: Searching for Cmder. The top result is to launch a new instance of cmder, but underneath it is a running version of cmder. How can I re-order them so that I can put the running instance on top?