#HTWind

The missing HTML-based widget manager created with .NET.

Homepage | GitHub Repository | Releases | Microsoft Store

#Overview

HTWind is a highly customizable, HTML-based widget manager that brings your favorite web tools and system helpers directly to your Windows desktop. It also supports running PowerShell commands when you need quick system actions.

Build custom widgets using plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — from a single HTML file for the fastest prototype, to a manifest-driven package using htwind.widget.json that can describe one widget or multiple widgets in one importable bundle.

#Highlights

• Native PowerShell Execution: Run PowerShell scripts for system automation and quick tasks via the host bridge API.
• Desktop HTML Widgets: HTML widgets with lock/unlock interaction modes.
• Widget Package Imports: Import widget packages through htwind.widget.json.
• Local Asset Support: Widgets can include local CSS, JavaScript, images, and fonts.
• Multi-Widget Packages: Install several widgets from one manifest.
• Built-in Widget Library: Clock, weather, system tools, file helpers, and more.
• Built-in Code Editor: Widget code editor with syntax highlighting and live preview (hot reload).
• Tray Integration: Show/hide app, background workflow.
• Window Management: Pin-on-top, visibility toggle, and persisted widget geometry/state.
• Smart Visibility Suppression: Hide widget windows while another app is fullscreen or maximized (per display, toggleable).
• Startup Toggle: Optional launch on system startup (HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run).
• Localization Infrastructure: resx + LocExtension.
• Open-Source and Community-Driven: Contributions, widgets, and feedback welcome.

#Visibility Suppression Modes

HTWind includes per-display runtime suppression options in Settings to reduce distraction and improve performance while other apps are in focus.

• Hide widgets on fullscreen apps (enabled by default): Widget windows are temporarily closed on the same display when another app enters fullscreen, then restored when fullscreen ends.
• Hide widgets on maximized apps (optional): Widget windows are temporarily closed on the same display when another app is maximized, then restored when that app is no longer maximized.

These options do not change the widget Visible state in app data. Suppression is runtime-only and windows are restored automatically.

#Widget Development

You can build custom widgets using plain HTML/CSS/JavaScript. HTWind supports three practical widget packaging levels:

1. A single HTML file for the fastest possible prototype.
2. A widget folder with additional local assets such as CSS, JavaScript, images, or fonts.
3. A manifest-driven package using htwind.widget.json, which can describe one widget or multiple widgets in one importable bundle.

#Host Bridge API

Widgets can call window.HTWind.invoke("powershell.exec", args) with supported args including script (required), timeoutMs, maxOutputChars, shell (powershell or pwsh), and workingDirectory.

Only powershell.exec is currently supported. Output is clipped by maxOutputChars for safety. Scripts are executed with -NoProfile -NonInteractive -ExecutionPolicy Bypass.

#Generate Widgets With LLM Help

Use the dedicated HTWind system prompt to generate HTWind-compatible widgets (including PowerShell bridge usage) as a single HTML file with your preferred LLM.

#Installation

#Option 1: From GitHub Releases (Recommended)

1. Open Releases in this repository.
2. Download one of the assets:
   • HTWind-setup-<version>.exe (installer, recommended)
   • HTWind-portable-<version>.zip (portable alternative)
3. For installer mode, run the setup executable and follow the wizard.

#Option 2: Run from Source

Prerequisites: Windows 10/11 and .NET SDK 10.0+.

dotnet restore HTWind/HTWind.csproj
dotnet build HTWind/HTWind.csproj
dotnet run --project HTWind/HTWind.csproj

#Technology Stack

• C# / .NET 10
• WPF / XAML
• Fluent UI
• HTML / CSS / TypeScript / JavaScript (widgets)
• PowerShell (host bridge)