LatchLayout: an Aero-inspired WinForms workspace launcher

[stanczykwyatt]

I made LatchLayout, a small open-source Windows workspace launcher in C# and WinForms (.NET 10). Configure a keyboard key or mouse button and a hold duration, then launch a set of applications and browser URLs into chosen monitor regions. The editor can close to the tray; Quit stops the listener entirely.

For the new preview I went with a blue, Aero-inspired interface: glossy buttons, softly shaded panels, and a placement preview beside the window settings.

The styling uses custom-painted WinForms controls and System.Drawing gradients, with standard text boxes, combo boxes, and numeric inputs underneath. The theme code is in AeroTheme.cs. One practical lesson from the editor was to keep Save/Cancel in a fixed footer and let the fields scroll, so a smaller window doesn't hide the way out.

It's MIT-licensed, with a self-contained Windows x64 preview. The verification record covers real window placement on two displays, minimized/maximized restoration, repeated activation, and an isolated Chrome profile. Mixed-DPI hardware, screen-reader behavior, and physical hold-input delivery still need end-to-end coverage; the release is unsigned.

Feedback on the WinForms layout and keyboard accessibility would be especially useful. Source and issues are in the repository above.