workspace_launch
Launch an application and retrieve its window title, handle, and process ID. Uses HWND-based detection to support localized window titles.
Instructions
Purpose: Launch an application and wait for its new window to appear, returning title, HWND, and PID. Details: Runs the command via ShellExecute, snapshots the window list before launch, then polls until a new HWND appears (compared by HWND, not title). Returns {windowTitle, hwnd, pid, elapsedMs}. Works for localized window titles (e.g. '電卓' for calc.exe) because detection is HWND-based, not title-based. timeoutMs default 10000. detach=true fires without waiting and returns no window info. Prefer: Use instead of run_macro({exec, sleep, desktop_discover}) combos. Follow with focus_window(windowTitle) to interact with the launched app. Caveats: Single-instance apps that reuse an existing window will not register as a new HWND — call desktop_discover first to check if the window is already open. detach=true returns immediately with no window title or hwnd. Examples: workspace_launch({command:'notepad.exe'}) → {windowTitle:'', hwnd:'...', pid:...} workspace_launch({command:'calc.exe', timeoutMs:15000})
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| command | Yes | Executable name or full path (e.g. 'notepad.exe', 'calc.exe'). Shell interpreters (cmd.exe, powershell.exe, etc.) are blocked. | |
| args | No | Command-line arguments (max 20). Shell metacharacters (; & | ` $() ${}) are not allowed. | |
| waitMs | No | Milliseconds to wait for the window to appear (default 2000) | |
| include | No | Optional response-shape opt-in. `['envelope']` returns the self-documenting envelope (`_version` / `data` / `as_of` / `confidence`). `['raw']` forces raw shape (overrides DESKTOP_TOUCH_ENVELOPE=1 server default). Default behaviour is raw shape (compat with existing clients). |