xlnch(1)

; Tabs are required for indentation (<C-q tab> in emacs)

# NAME

xlnch - fast launcher for X

# SYNOPSIS

*xlnch* [_file_]

# OPTIONS

*xlnch* has the following options:

_file_
	xlnch configuration.

*-h*
	Print help.

# DESCRIPTION

*xlnch* parses a list of commands along with keys for executing them. It then
draws the avaliable commands with their keybinding and grabs the focus so the
next keypress will run the selected command. The configuration can either be
read from a file or from the standard input.

# CONFIGURATION

Each line is a command. It must have a key, and can optionally have a
description. By default xlnch exits when you press a key bound to a command.
You can prefix the key with an ampersand (&) which will keep *xlnch* open and
in focus. Those commands will be shown in red. If you ommit the command
description, *xlnch* will show the command instead.

The configuration format is this:

	\[&]<key>:[<description>]:<command>

*key*
	A single ascii character.

*description*
	Any ascii string.

*command*
	A valid command (see below).

# EXAMPLE CONFIGURATION

f::firefox++
e:The best editor:emacs++
&t:terminals:xterm

In this example pressing _f_ will launch firefox and then exit, same for _e_
and emacs. But if you press _t_ an xterm will spawn but the launcher will stay
open, so pressing _t_ twice will launch two xterms consecutively. This makes
more sense if used to control your window manager though it's cli interface or
similar applications.

# VALID COMMANDS

Internally *xlnch* uses *wordexp*(3) to parse the command. So the same
limitations apply. Some advanced stuff might be possible with clever quoting
and calling _bash -c_ as the command but it is recommended to make a script for
such things and just call it from *xlnch*.

# TIPS

Since *xlnch* can read from stdin you can have "excecutable" files with
different configurations. Just add _#!/bin/xlnch_ on the first line (or the
appropriate path), make the file executable and run it.

You can call different xlnch configurations from within xlnch to create
submenues. Don't use the & for such calls because the two xlnch windows will
both want to constantly grab the focus. Either don't provide a way to go back
to the previous menu, or simply assign _b_ to the parent menu so you have a way
back.

# AUTHOR

Anastasis Grammenos