| name | App and Window Management |
| description | This skill should be used when the user asks to "launch an application", "open a program", "resize a window", "move a window", "switch between windows", "arrange windows", "minimize or maximize a window", "close an application", "manage desktop layout", or needs to control application windows on Windows using the App tool. |
| version | 1.0.0 |
App and Window Management
This skill covers the App tool for launching, arranging, switching, and managing application windows on Windows.
App Tool Actions
The App tool supports these actions: launch, switch, resize, move, minimize, maximize, close.
Launch
Start an application by name or path.
Parameters: action: "launch", plus name (app name) or path (full executable path)
By name (common apps):
App(action="launch", name="Notepad")
App(action="launch", name="Chrome")
App(action="launch", name="File Explorer")
App(action="launch", name="Calculator")
By path (specific executables):
App(action="launch", path="C:\\Program Files\\MyApp\\app.exe")
After launching: Always use Wait(1-3) — applications take time to initialize before they are interactive.
Switch
Bring an existing window to the foreground.
Parameters: action: "switch", name (window title or partial match)
App(action="switch", name="Document.docx - Word")
App(action="switch", name="Chrome")
Tip: Use partial window titles — the tool matches substrings. For precise targeting, include enough of the title to be unique.
Alternative: Shortcut("alt+tab") for quick cycling between the two most recent windows.
Resize
Change window dimensions.
Parameters: action: "resize", name, width, height
App(action="resize", name="Notepad", width=800, height=600)
Move
Reposition a window on the screen.
Parameters: action: "move", name, x, y
App(action="move", name="Notepad", x=100, y=100)
Minimize / Maximize / Close
Parameters: action + name
App(action="minimize", name="Notepad")
App(action="maximize", name="Chrome")
App(action="close", name="Calculator")
Alternative for close: Shortcut("alt+f4") closes the currently focused window.
Common Workflows
Open App and Interact
App(launch "Notepad") -> Wait(2)
Snapshot -> verify Notepad is open and focused
Type(text="Hello World")
Shortcut("ctrl+s") -> Wait(0.5) -> handle save dialog
Side-by-Side Window Layout
App(resize "App1", width=960, height=1080)
App(move "App1", x=0, y=0)
App(resize "App2", width=960, height=1080)
App(move "App2", x=960, y=0)
Alternative: Use Windows Snap shortcuts:
App(switch "App1") -> Shortcut("win+left")
App(switch "App2") -> Shortcut("win+right")
Multi-App Data Transfer
App(switch to source app) -> Wait(0.5)
Select content -> Shortcut("ctrl+c")
App(switch to target app) -> Wait(0.5)
Click(target_field) -> Shortcut("ctrl+v")
Clean Up Desktop
App(minimize "App1")
App(minimize "App2")
App(close "TempApp")
Window Management Best Practices
- Wait after launch — Always
Wait(1-3) after App(launch) before interacting
- Verify focus — After
App(switch), take a Screenshot to confirm the correct window is foreground
- Use Snap shortcuts —
win+left, win+right, win+up (maximize) are reliable for tiling
- Handle "not found" — If
App(switch) fails, the window may have a different title. Use Snapshot to check visible windows or Process(list) to verify the app is running
- Prefer Shortcut for switch —
alt+tab is fast for toggling between two apps
- Full-screen apps — Some apps (games, media) may not respond to
resize/move. Use Shortcut("alt+enter") to toggle full-screen first
Application Launch Reference
| Application | Launch Name | Notes |
|---|
| Notepad | Notepad | Built-in text editor |
| File Explorer | File Explorer or explorer | File browser |
| Calculator | Calculator | Built-in calculator |
| Chrome | Chrome | Google Chrome browser |
| Edge | Edge | Microsoft Edge browser |
| Firefox | Firefox | Mozilla Firefox browser |
| Command Prompt | cmd | Use Shell tool instead when possible |
| PowerShell | PowerShell | Use Shell tool instead when possible |
| Task Manager | — | Use Shortcut("ctrl+shift+esc") |
When to Use App vs. Other Tools
- Need to run a command? -> Use
Shell directly, not App to open PowerShell
- Need to open a file? -> Use
Shell with Start-Process "file.txt" or App(launch) the associated program
- Need to check if an app is running? -> Use
Process(list) instead of visual checks
- Need to switch quickly? ->
Shortcut("alt+tab") is faster than App(switch) for recent windows
Additional Resources
Reference Files
For advanced window management patterns and multi-monitor workflows:
references/workflows.md — Complex multi-window workflows, multi-monitor strategies, and automation patterns
