launch Calamitus
Use this command to install launch with WinGet:
winget install --id=Calamitus.Launch -e Launch Windows apps from the terminal by typing part of their name.
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README
calamitus
A tiny tool that lets you open apps by typing their name in a terminal, instead of clicking through the Start Menu.
launch notepad
That's it. That's the whole tool.
Why would I want this?
If you're comfortable in a terminal, typing is usually faster than reaching for the mouse, opening the Start Menu, and clicking through a search result. calamitus gives you a shortcut command called launch that does the same thing the Start Menu search does, just from wherever your terminal already is.
Installing it
You don't need to know Rust or programming to install this. Pick whichever option is easiest for you.
Option A: one-line install script (works right now)
irm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/aaditya19saini/calamitus-/master/install.ps1 | iex
Copy that, paste it into PowerShell, hit Enter. It downloads the program and makes the launch command available everywhere.
If PowerShell won't let it run, close and reopen your terminal — that's usually all it takes.
Option B: winget (pending approval, not live yet)
calamitus has a package submitted to the winget repository, waiting on review. Once it's approved, anyone on Windows 10/11 will be able to run:
winget install Calamitus.Launch
Until then, use Option A.
How to use it
Just type launch followed by any part of an app's name:
launch chrome
launch spotify
launch vs code
You don't need the exact full name. If you type something that matches more than one app, it'll list the matches so you can be more specific. If nothing matches, it'll suggest the closest names it can find.
Apps it can't find on its own
calamitus works by scanning your Start Menu shortcuts. Apps installed from the Microsoft Store (like WhatsApp) usually don't have one, so launch can't find them by itself.
To fix that, point launch at the app yourself. The first time you run launch, it creates a file at %APPDATA%\calamitus\aliases.txt with instructions inside. Add a line like:
whatsapp=shell:AppsFolder\5319275A.WhatsAppDesktop_cv1g1gvanyjgm!App
To find the right target for a Store app, run this in PowerShell and look for your app:
Get-StartApps | findstr -i whatsapp
You can also point an alias at any .exe or .lnk path if you'd rather use that instead of the app's Start Menu name.
Frequently asked questions
Does this slow down my computer?
No. It only runs when you type launch — there's nothing sitting in the background.
Is this safe? Yes. It only looks at the shortcuts already in your Start Menu and opens them the same way Windows Explorer would. It doesn't touch anything else on your system.
What if it can't find my app?
It searches your Start Menu shortcuts, so if an app doesn't show up when you search the Start Menu either, launch won't find it. Some apps (especially ones installed from a store rather than an installer) don't always add a shortcut there — see Apps it can't find on its own for how to fix that.
Do I need to reinstall it every time I restart my PC? No. Once it's installed, it stays installed, just like any other program.
Building it yourself
If you do know Rust and want to build from source instead:
cargo build --release
License
MIT — see LICENSE.