bayleeadamoss/zazu

Zazu cannot launch Windows Store Apps

Open

#273 opened on Mar 15, 2017

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 (5 comments) (1 reaction) (0 assignees)JavaScript (2,093 stars) (186 forks)batch import
featurehelp wanted

Description

Zazu does not appear to have the ability to launch apps that were installed from the Windows Store or other native Metro/UWP apps.

Expected Behavior

  • Searching for a Windows Store App shows the app as a result

Actual Behavior

  • No results found

Steps to reproduce the behavior

  • Search for a Windows Store App

Versions

  • Zazu: App Environment: production App Version: 0.4.0 Electron Version: 1.3.13 Node Version: 6.5.0 Chrome Version: 52.0.2743.82

  • OS: Windows 10

  • GIT: N/A

Contributor guide

Tech stack
javascriptnodejshtmlcss
Domain
desktop
Issue type
feature
DifficultyEstimated implementation difficulty for a new contributor, from 1 for very small changes to 5 for expert-level work.
4
Estimated timeA rough time range for an experienced contributor to investigate, implement, test, and prepare a pull request.
3-5 days
Activity statusHow available the issue appears right now: fresh, active, stale, blocked, or waiting on maintainer input.
stale
ClarityHow clearly the issue explains the expected change, acceptance criteria, and next step.
mostly clear
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of ElectronNode.js child processWindows application launch methods
Newbie friendlinessA 1-100 score estimating how approachable this issue is for first-time contributors.
30
Research direction
The issue requests launching Windows Store (UWP) apps from Zazu. Currently, Zazu uses Electron's shell.openPath or Node.js child process to launch standard executables. UWP apps require special invocation, e.g., via shell:AppsFolder or protocol activation. Investigate Windows 10's shell:AppsFolder URI scheme or the `explorer.exe shell:AppsFolder\<AppUserModelId>` command. Check the repository's plugin system; a new plugin for Windows Store apps might be needed. Review existing code in the repository for app launching logic (likely in the `zazu` main process). Also check if any comments in the issue provide hints.