ueli
This is a keystroke launcher for Windows and macOS.
Table of contents
- Installation
- Features
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Settings
- Updating
- Privacy
- Known bugs
- Development
- Alternatives
- License
- Release notes
Installation
Installer / Zip
- Download the latest version from here: https://ueli.app/#/download
- Run the installer or unzip
- Run the application
Note: because the executables are not signed Windows and macOS will probably prevent you from executing the installer or the program itself.
Installing via chocolatey repository
- Open a powershell with administration rights (Right click on your start button and click
Windows PowerShell (Admin)
- Type
choco install ueli
- Accept the upcoming prompt by entering
y
or run above command with-y
switch - Run the application
Features
Application Search
This plugin is searching for applications on your computer. You can specify the folders where your applications are installed and which file extension should be used to recognize an application.
Browser bookmarks
This plugin enables you to search your browser bookmarks.
Currently supported browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Brave
- Vivaldi
- SideKick
- Microsoft Edge
Calculator
This Plugin lets you quickly do simple calculations.
Color Converter
This plugin enables you to quickly convert colors into different formats.
Commandline
This plugin enables you to quickly execute commandline commands.
Control panel (Windows only)
This plugin enables you to quickly find control panel items.
Currency Converter
This plugin enables you to quickly convert currencies. The latest conversion rates are provided by https://exchangeratesapi.io/.
Dictionary
This plugin enables you to quickly look up the definition and synonyms of words. It uses an unofficial Google Dictionary API (https://googledictionaryapi.eu-gb.mybluemix.net/)
This plugin enables you to quickly start writing an email by typing in an email address.
Everything (Windows only)
This feature enables you to use Everything Search to find files and folders on your local file system.
- Install "Everything" and the "Everything Command-line interface" from https://www.voidtools.com/downloads.
- Specify the file path to
es.exe
in ueli's settings.
mdfind (macOS only)
This plugin enables you to use the native macOS search to find files and folders on your local file system.
File Browser
This plugin enables you to browse through your local file system. To start you have to enter a valid absolute filepath.
Operating System Commands
Operating system commands are simple commands to control your operating system e.g. to shutdown or restart your computer.
Operating System Settings
This plugin enables you to quickly find operating system settings.
Shortcuts
This plugin enables you to quickly open files or websites by setting up your own shortcuts.
Simple Folder Search
This plugin enables you to quickly search for files or folders.
Translation
This plugin enables you to quickly translate words or short sentences. It uses an unofficial API for Linguee and may be unstable.
UWP (Windows only)
This plugin enables you to find preinstalled UWP apps.
URL
This plugin enables you to quickly open websites by typing in a URL.
Web Search
This plugin enables you to quickly search the internet with your favorite web search engine by setting up your own web search engines.
Workflow
This plugin enables you to quickly execute multiple things at once.
Keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Enter | Execute selected search result |
Shift Enter | Execute selected program as admin (Windows only) |
Tab | Autocomplete file path |
Ctrl o | Open the selected program or file at it's location (Windows) |
Cmd o | Open the selected program or file at it's location (macOS) |
↑ | Scroll up |
↓ | Scroll down |
Ctrl or Cmd p | Scroll up |
Ctrl or Cmd n | Scroll down |
Ctrl i | Open settings (Windows) |
Cmd , | Open settings (macOS) |
Shift ↑ | Browse user input history up |
Shift ↓ | Browse user input history down |
Ctrl l | Set focus on user input |
Settings
To open the settings simply search for "Settings" or press Ctrl+i
on Windows or Cmd+,
on macOS. Here you can start configuring the app to your needs by enabling/disabling features or changing the settings.
Updating
The check if any updates are available open the settings. Under "General Settings" you can check if an update is available or not.
On Windows you can directly update the app. On macOS you have to manually download the newest release and replace the existing app.
Privacy
For better search results ueli is keeping track of the applications, files and folders you are executing. If you don't want ueli to track your executions simply open the settings and click on the "three-dot" menu on the top right and choose "Clear execution log" and disable the option "Log execution".
Known bugs
- (#37) Window starts to move while typing when custom scaling in Windows is set.
- (#92) If you see an error that says
spawn powershell.exe ENOENT
check if powershell is installed (should be installed in all recent Versions of Windows by default) and check if powershell is in the PATH variable. - (#278) If you're on macOS Catalina you might miss some system apps (for example: Books or QuickTime Player). Try adding
/System/Applications
to your application search settings.
For more check here.
Development
Requirements
- Git
- Node 12.x.x
- Yarn
Setup
$ git clone https://github.com/oliverschwendener/ueli
$ cd ueli
$ yarn
Run
$ yarn bundle
$ yarn start
Debug
For debugging Visual Studio Code is recommended.
- Go to .vscode folder
- Make a copy of launch.example.json and rename it to launch.json
- Select one of the preconfigured debug modes and start debugging
Run tests
$ yarn test
Package
Create portable version
$ yarn package:dir
Create installer
$ yarn package
Alternatives
Thanks
Thanks to David Gabathuler for the logo!
License
Copyright (c) Oliver Schwendener. All rights reserved. Licensed under the MIT License.