NimLaunch gets much more useful once you start treating it like a command hub, not just an app launcher.

Below are practical custom shortcuts and groups I use for Linux ops, dev lookup, quick note creation, clipboard actions, and project jumping.

Add these into ~/.config/nimlaunch/nimlaunch.toml and adjust paths/commands for your setup.

1) Linux Ops Toolbox (:ops)

Use one prefix to search logs, check services, or open docs:

[[groups]]
name = "ops"
query_mode = "pass"

[[shortcuts]]
group = "ops"
label = "journalctl (last 200, grep): "
base = "journalctl -n 200 | rg {query}"
mode = "shell"

[[shortcuts]]
group = "ops"
label = "systemctl status: "
base = "systemctl status {query}"
mode = "shell"

[[shortcuts]]
group = "ops"
label = "Man page search: "
base = "https://man.archlinux.org/search?q={query}"
mode = "url"

Examples:

  • :ops pipewire
  • :ops NetworkManager

2) Dev Lookup Stack (:dev)

Search Nim docs, GitHub code, and Arch Wiki from one place:

[[groups]]
name = "dev"
query_mode = "pass"

[[shortcuts]]
group = "dev"
label = "Nim docs: "
base = "https://nim-lang.org/docs/search.html?q={query}"
mode = "url"

[[shortcuts]]
group = "dev"
label = "GitHub code search: "
base = "https://github.com/search?q={query}&type=code"
mode = "url"

[[shortcuts]]
group = "dev"
label = "Arch Wiki: "
base = "https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php?search={query}"
mode = "url"

Examples:

  • :dev asyncdispatch
  • :dev systemd user service

3) New Note Command (:note)

Create and open a dated Markdown note instantly:

[[shortcuts]]
prefix = ":note"
label = "New note: "
base = "mkdir -p ~/Notes && nvim ~/Notes/$(date +%F)-{query}.md"
mode = "shell"
run_mode = "spawn"

Example:

  • :note nimlaunch-bugs

4) Clipboard Utility Menu (:clip)

Handy Wayland clipboard tasks in one menu:

[[groups]]
name = "clip"
query_mode = "filter"

[[shortcuts]]
group = "clip"
label = "Copy current time"
base = "date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S' | wl-copy"
mode = "shell"
run_mode = "spawn"

[[shortcuts]]
group = "clip"
label = "Screenshot area -> clipboard"
base = "grim -g \"$(slurp)\" - | wl-copy"
mode = "shell"
run_mode = "spawn"

[[shortcuts]]
group = "clip"
label = "Clear clipboard"
base = "printf '' | wl-copy"
mode = "shell"
run_mode = "spawn"

Notes:

  • Requires wl-copy (from wl-clipboard).
  • Screenshot action uses grim + slurp.

5) Project Jump Menu (:proj)

Quickly open your main working directories:

[[groups]]
name = "proj"
query_mode = "filter"

[[shortcuts]]
group = "proj"
label = "NimLaunch repo"
base = "~/Projects/GitHub/Vyrnexis/NimLaunch"
mode = "file"

[[shortcuts]]
group = "proj"
label = "Blog repo"
base = "~/Projects/GitHub/Vyrnexis/vyrnexis.github.io"
mode = "file"

Why This Pattern Works

Instead of memorizing one-off shell aliases, you get discoverable actions under a small set of prefixes:

  • :ops for system tasks
  • :dev for research
  • :note for capture
  • :clip for utility actions
  • :proj for navigation

Small configuration changes, big workflow speed-up.