PowerToys Run - Custom execution of searches

[g-shudy]

Description of the new feature / enhancement

User can add a new URL plugin.

• User fills in a "Name" field such as "Search Bing".
• User fills in a URL field with value such as "https://www.bing.com/search?q="
• User indicates whether needs to be URL-Encoded with a slide switch.
• User fills in a required Direct activation command.

After new URL plugin added:

• User opens PowerToys Run
• User types Direct activation command assigned to URL plugin
• User follows Direct activation command with a string
• User presses enter to open a browser window
• Browser window is opened with the URL containing the user-provided parameter string

Example:

• Name field: "Open Work Item in Azure DevOps Boards"

• URL field: https://dev.azure.com/organization/Project%20Name/_workitems/edit/

• Direct activation command: adobwi

• PowerToys Run entry: adobwi 408855[enter]

• Browser opens with url: https://dev.azure.com/organization/Project%20Name/_workitems/edit/408855

Scenario when this would be used?

Users have various web sites and web tools that allow parameters to be passed in.

Instead of opening a web form and providing the information in multiple steps, PowerToys Run allows the user to type a Direct activation command followed by the parameter to be inserted directly into the URL string, opening the site with few keystrokes.

Supporting information

Example from Alfred for MacOS: https://www.alfredapp.com/help/features/web-search/

[g-shudy]

https://www.alfredapp.com/help/features/web-search/ Here is a description of the feature as I had envisioned it, but in the Alfred app for MacOS.

[Alaknar]

To me this is a must have.

Interestingly, Wox (which is credited in PT Run) has had this for years.

[crutkas]

/dup #15032

[microsoft-github-policy-service]

Hi! We've identified this issue as a duplicate of another one that already exists on this Issue Tracker. This specific instance is being closed in favor of tracking the concern over on the referenced thread. Thanks for your report!