Visual Tool for Creating and Managing AHK Scripts
📋Summary
Add a visual scripting tool to LaunchBox that allows users to build and manage AutoHotKey (AHK) scripts without needing to write code. This would make powerful custom automation more accessible to non-technical users while still supporting advanced setups for power users.
❗Problem
LaunchBox’s support for AHK scripting enables deep customization—such as launching pre/post-game actions, managing controller behavior, or automating emulator quirks. However, the current system requires users to manually write scripts in AHK syntax, which creates a barrier for those unfamiliar with scripting or programming.
As a result, many users miss out on the flexibility AHK can offer, or rely on copying scripts from forums without fully understanding or customizing them.
💡Proposal
Introduce a built-in visual AHK editor, which could include:
A drag-and-drop or form-based interface to define common actions (e.g., send keystrokes, launch programs, delay actions)
A library of prebuilt templates for common tasks (e.g., closing emulators cleanly, muting audio, controller automation)
A preview pane to see the raw AHK output
Integration with platform or emulator settings so users can assign scripts per system/game
This tool could live within the existing scripting tabs and allow toggling between visual and raw modes for flexibility.
✅Benefits
Makes scripting features accessible to non-technical users
Reduces copy-paste errors from manually written scripts
Streamlines the automation of emulator quirks, controller setups, and system integrations
Empowers users to create more dynamic and personalized gaming experiences without needing AHK knowledge
Encourages wider adoption of LaunchBox’s powerful scripting capabilities 🚀🧠

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Comments3
Apr 20, 2025
PinnedHi there!
Thanks so much for submitting this request and for taking the time to explain your use case — that context is always super helpful.
I’ve gone ahead and fleshed out the main idea using the info you provided, and I’m opening it up to the community for further discussion and feedback. Please let me know if this fleshed-out version doesn’t match your original intended request.
Feel free to let me know if you have any extra thoughts, examples, or edge cases you think might be relevant!
Cheers,
The LaunchBox team
gboava
Apr 20, 2025
Your explanation is perfect!!!
Thank you!
gboava
Apr 20, 2025
Visual Tool for AHK Scripting
The scripting possibilities using AHK give LaunchBox amazing flexibility. However, not everyone knows how to write these scripts. Would it be possible to create a visual tool for generating and managing AHK scripts?