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KleeStore: Browsing Chocolatey Packages |
KleeStore: Package Details and Installation |
Let's cut the crap. Managing software on Windows can be a drag. You've got installers from a dozen different places, half of them trying to sneak in extra junk. Then there's Chocolatey – a godsend for us command-line warriors, taming the chaos one choco install at a time. But let's face it, not everyone wants to live in a terminal.
That's where KleeStore, this C# incarnation, barges in. This isn't some corporate, sanitized app store. This is my personal project, a lean MVP (Minimum Viable Product), built because I wanted a slick, no-nonsense GUI for Chocolatey. Something that gets the job done without the usual Windows song and dance.
The mission? Simple. Take the raw power of Chocolatey and give it a face. A clean, modern interface that lets you browse, search, install, and ditch Chocolatey packages without ever needing to type choco -y. It's about making Chocolatey accessible, maybe even a little bit fun.
Found KleeStore useful? Don't forget to star the repository!
Look, if you're already a Choco-pro, you might not need this. But if you've ever wished Chocolatey had a decent GUI, or if you're trying to get less terminal-savvy friends onto the Choco-train, then KleeStore might just be your new best mate. I'm building this to cut through the noise, offering a straightforward way to tap into Chocolatey's massive software arsenal. It's about easy discovery of useful apps and centralized control over what Chocolatey has put on your system. This C# version is my current weapon of choice for this fight – an MVP, sure, but it packs the essentials to make your package management life a bit less of a grind.
KleeStore, in its current C# form, isn't trying to be everything to everyone. It's focused. You can cruise through the Chocolatey community's package ocean, or if you know what you're after, the search bar will hunt it down. Each package shows you the vital stats: version, what the heck it does (description), and sometimes how many other brave souls have downloaded it.
When you're ready to pull the trigger, installing and uninstalling are just a click away. No cryptic commands, no second-guessing. And to see the army of apps Chocolatey is already commanding on your rig, there's a dedicated "Installed Packages" view. Behind the scenes, KleeStore talks to the KleeStore API to keep its package list fresh, and it's smart enough to cache package data and images so it doesn't have to fetch everything, every single time. The UI itself? I'm aiming for clean and modern, built with WPF, something that doesn't look like it crawled out of Windows XP.
To get KleeStore to join your rebellion, you'll need:
- Windows 10 or a newer model.
- The .NET 7.0 Runtime (or newer, if I've bumped the target).
- Chocolatey itself. If you're a Choco-virgin, KleeStore will try to hold your hand through the installation.
- Admin rights. Chocolatey needs to be the boss to install or rip out software. KleeStore will bug you (or Windows UAC will) when it's time to escalate.
Ready to give it a whirl?
- Snag the latest ZIP package from the Releases page right here on GitHub.
- Unzip that bad boy into any folder you damn well please.
- Fire up
KleeStore.exe.
If KleeStore sniffs out that Chocolatey is missing in action on your system, it'll offer to help get it installed. No excuses.
Want to peek under the hood or tinker with the C# guts?
You'll need:
- Visual Studio 2022 (or your .NET IDE of choice that can handle it).
- The .NET 7.0 SDK (or whatever the project's currently targeting).
How to wrestle it into submission:
- Clone this repo:
git clone https://github.com/kleeedolinux/kleestores.git
- Crack open the
KleeStore.csproj(orKleeStore.sln) in Visual Studio. - Tell Visual Studio to build the damn thing (Ctrl+Shift+B usually does the trick).
- Hit F5 and watch it (hopefully) spring to life.
It's not rocket science.
The "Browse" tab is your gateway to Choco-land. Scroll, search, explore. Pagination at the bottom stops your scroll wheel from crying. Found something you want? Smash that "Install" button. KleeStore will handle the admin prompts.
Got regrets? Or just cleaning house? The "Installed" tab shows your current Choco-managed hoard. The "Uninstall" button is your friend there.
Want the freshest list of what's out there? The "Refresh" button pings the KleeStore API. Your "Installed" list also usually updates to show what's really on your machine.
This whole shebang is under the MIT License. Go read the LICENSE file if you care about the legal mumbo-jumbo. Basically, use it, break it, fix it – just don't sue me.
This project stands on the shoulders of giants (and some handy libraries):
- Chocolatey: The undisputed king. KleeStore is just its humble servant.
- KleeStore API: The backend that powers the package discovery and metadata.
- WPF: For crafting a modern, responsive UI that doesn't suck.
- System.Text.Json: For parsing API responses without breaking a sweat.
KleeStore (C# Edition): My shot at making Chocolatey a bit more rock 'n' roll for the GUI crowd. Give it a spin. Maybe you'll dig it.