A sleek, macOS Spotlight-inspired search launcher for Windows. Instantly search apps, files, folders, bookmarks, and the web with a single keystroke.
Search across multiple categories simultaneously with a single query:
- Applications — Finds installed programs from Start Menu, Desktop, and common app directories
- Files & Folders — Searches Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Videos, Music, and system folders
- Bookmarks — Searches your Chrome bookmarks
- Calculator — Evaluate math expressions inline (powered by math.js)
- Web Search — Quick Google search fallback for any query
Type a prefix character to switch into a focused search mode:
| Prefix | Mode | Description |
|---|---|---|
> |
System Commands | Shutdown, restart, sleep, lock, open settings, task manager, and more |
# |
Clipboard History | Browse and paste from your clipboard history |
@ |
Window Switcher | Search and switch between open windows |
/ |
Settings | Configure theme, rebuild index, clear clipboard, and more |
Tab |
Cycle Modes | Press Tab to cycle through all prefix modes |
- Shutdown, Restart, Sleep, Lock, Sign Out
- Empty Recycle Bin
- Open Windows Settings (Display, Sound, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apps, Storage, Personalization)
- Task Manager, Control Panel, Device Manager
- File Explorer, Command Prompt, PowerShell
- Snipping Tool, Calculator, Notepad
- Toggle dark/light theme
- Toggle footer keyboard hints
- Rebuild file index
- Clear clipboard history
- View app info
- Frosted glass dark UI with blur effect
- Smooth expand/collapse animations
- Staggered slide-in animations on results
- Color-coded icons per category (blue=apps, green=files, orange=calc, purple=web, yellow=bookmarks, red=system)
- Prefix badge shows active search mode
- Footer bar with keyboard shortcut hints
- Light theme support
- Node.js (v18 or newer)
- Windows 10/11
git clone https://github.com/JoshuatheProgrammer/SpotlightLauncher.git
cd SpotlightLauncher
npm install
npm start| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Alt+Space |
Toggle launcher |
Escape |
Hide launcher |
Arrow Up/Down |
Navigate results |
Enter |
Open/execute selected result |
Tab |
Cycle through prefix modes |
- Type
Chrometo find and launch Google Chrome - Type
2+2orsqrt(144)to use the calculator - Type
>lockto lock your PC - Type
#to browse clipboard history - Type
@to see open windows - Type
/themeto switch between dark and light mode - Type
Documentsto open your Documents folder
SpotlightLauncher/
├── main.js # Electron main process, IPC handlers, window management
├── preload.js # Context bridge exposing APIs to renderer
├── package.json
├── assets/
│ └── icon.png # System tray icon
├── renderer/
│ ├── index.html # Main UI markup
│ ├── renderer.js # Search logic, keyboard nav, animations
│ └── style.css # Dark/light themes, animations, layout
└── modules/
├── appSearch.js # Scans Start Menu & common dirs for installed apps
├── fileSearch.js # Indexes user folders with fuzzy matching
├── calculator.js # Math expression evaluation via math.js
├── webSearch.js # Google search fallback
├── bookmarks.js # Chrome bookmark parser
├── systemCommands.js # Windows system commands (shutdown, lock, etc.)
├── clipboardHistory.js # Clipboard monitoring and history
├── windowSwitcher.js # Open window enumeration and switching
├── settingsPanel.js # App settings with persistent JSON storage
└── icons.js # SVG icon library for all result types
Settings are stored at ~/.spotlight-launcher/settings.json and can be modified through the / prefix menu inside the launcher.
- Electron — Cross-platform desktop framework
- math.js — Calculator expression parsing
- Pure CSS — No UI framework, hand-crafted dark glass aesthetic
This project is licensed under the MIT License. See LICENSE for details.