App Launcher Skill

This skill provides application control on the local system. It can launch applications, open URLs, and manage running processes.

⚠️ Security Note

Launching applications requires user approval. The agent will pause and ask for confirmation before:

• Starting any application
• Opening URLs (to prevent phishing)
• Focusing/switching to applications

When to Use

• User asks to "open" or "launch" an application
• User wants to open a URL in their browser
• User asks what applications are running
• User wants to switch to a specific application

Available Commands

Launch Application

Launch an application by name.

python scripts/app_control.py launch "notepad"
python scripts/app_control.py launch "Visual Studio Code"
python scripts/app_control.py launch "chrome"

Common app names:

• Windows: notepad, calc, explorer, cmd, powershell, code, chrome, firefox
• macOS: Safari, Finder, Terminal, "Visual Studio Code", Notes
• Linux: firefox, nautilus, gnome-terminal, code

Open URL

Open a URL in the default browser.

python scripts/app_control.py url "https://example.com"
python scripts/app_control.py url "https://github.com"

List Running Applications

Show currently running applications (not all processes).

python scripts/app_control.py list
python scripts/app_control.py list --all  # Include background processes

Focus Application

Bring an application window to the foreground.

python scripts/app_control.py focus "notepad"
python scripts/app_control.py focus "chrome"

Platform Support

Operation	Windows	macOS	Linux
Launch	✅ start	✅ open -a	✅ Various
Open URL	✅ webbrowser	✅ webbrowser	✅ webbrowser
List apps	✅ tasklist	✅ ps	✅ ps
Focus	⚠️ Limited	✅ AppleScript	⚠️ Limited

Notes

• App names are case-insensitive on Windows
• On macOS, use the full app name (e.g., "Visual Studio Code")
• Focus functionality may be limited depending on OS security settings
• Some apps may take a moment to start