From plugin-windows-mcp
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.
npx claudepluginhub mustafaakben/plugin-windows-mcp --plugin plugin-windows-mcpThis skill uses the workspace's default tool permissions.
This skill covers the App tool for launching, arranging, switching, and managing application windows on Windows.
Verifies tests pass on completed feature branch, presents options to merge locally, create GitHub PR, keep as-is or discard; executes choice and cleans up worktree.
Guides root cause investigation for bugs, test failures, unexpected behavior, performance issues, and build failures before proposing fixes.
Writes implementation plans from specs for multi-step tasks, mapping files and breaking into TDD bite-sized steps before coding.
This skill covers the App tool for launching, arranging, switching, and managing application windows on Windows.
The App tool supports these actions: launch, switch, resize, move, minimize, maximize, close.
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.
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.
Change window dimensions.
Parameters: action: "resize", name, width, height
App(action="resize", name="Notepad", width=800, height=600)
Reposition a window on the screen.
Parameters: action: "move", name, x, y
App(action="move", name="Notepad", x=100, y=100)
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.
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
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")
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")
App(minimize "App1")
App(minimize "App2")
App(close "TempApp")
Wait(1-3) after App(launch) before interactingApp(switch), take a Screenshot to confirm the correct window is foregroundwin+left, win+right, win+up (maximize) are reliable for tilingApp(switch) fails, the window may have a different title. Use Snapshot to check visible windows or Process(list) to verify the app is runningalt+tab is fast for toggling between two appsresize/move. Use Shortcut("alt+enter") to toggle full-screen first| 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") |
Shell directly, not App to open PowerShellShell with Start-Process "file.txt" or App(launch) the associated programProcess(list) instead of visual checksShortcut("alt+tab") is faster than App(switch) for recent windowsFor advanced window management patterns and multi-monitor workflows:
references/workflows.md — Complex multi-window workflows, multi-monitor strategies, and automation patterns