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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/shadownrx/windows/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

NEX OS supports a comprehensive set of Windows-compatible keyboard shortcuts for window management, virtual desktop navigation, system actions, and per-application commands. All global shortcuts are registered through a single keydown event listener in Desktop.tsx, keeping shortcut handling centralized and easy to extend.

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Window Management

These shortcuts control the lifecycle and state of windows across the desktop. They are active at all times while the desktop is focused.
ShortcutAction
Win + DMinimize all open windows to the taskbar simultaneously
Win + ROpen the Run dialog to launch apps by name or .nex executable
Win + EOpen File Explorer directly
Win + TabOpen Task View — visual overview of all windows and virtual desktops
Win + Ctrl + →Switch to the next virtual desktop (wraps around)
Win + Ctrl + ←Switch to the previous virtual desktop (wraps around)
Alt + F4Close the currently focused window
EscapeClose Task View (when open) or dismiss the Run dialog
In the browser context, the Win key maps to metaKey on macOS and the Windows key on Windows. NEX OS uses e.metaKey in its event handlers so shortcuts work on both platforms.

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In-App Shortcuts

Some NEX OS applications register their own keyboard shortcuts internally. These are active only when the application window is focused.
ShortcutAppAction
Ctrl + SNotepad, VS Code (Nex Code), WordPadSave the current file

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Programmatic Shortcut Handling

Global shortcuts are registered once inside Desktop.tsx via window.addEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown). The handler is cleaned up on unmount. Key actions call the following context methods: 
import { useWindowManager } from '../context/WindowManager';
import { useDesktop } from '../context/DesktopContext';
import { useSettings } from '../context/SettingsContext';

const { closeFocusedWindow, minimizeAllWindows, openWindow } = useWindowManager();
const { switchDesktop, virtualDesktops, currentDesktopId } = useDesktop();
const { isTaskViewOpen, setIsTaskViewOpen } = useSettings();

// Alt + F4 → close the currently focused window
// Internally calls closeFocusedWindow()

// Win + D → minimize all windows
// Internally calls minimizeAllWindows()

// Win + Ctrl + → → switch to next desktop
const currentIndex = virtualDesktops.findIndex(d => d.id === currentDesktopId);
const nextIndex = (currentIndex + 1) % virtualDesktops.length;
switchDesktop(virtualDesktops[nextIndex].id);
closeFocusedWindow() targets whichever window has the highest zIndex at the time of the keypress — the same window that would be visually “on top”. minimizeAllWindows() iterates over all AppWindow entries and sets isMinimized: true on each one.

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Run Dialog (Win + R)

The Run dialog accepts both full application IDs and short .nex names. NEX Runtime resolves short names by appending .nex and searching C:\Program Files\NEX\.
1

Open the Run dialog

Press Win + R. The dialog opens with an input field ready for a command.
2

Type an app name or .nex executable

Type a registered app name (e.g. notepad, vscode, explorer, controlpanel) or a full .nex path like C:\Program Files\NEX\spotify.nex.
3

Press Enter to launch

The NEX Runtime resolves the name via resolveNex() and calls openWindow() with the correct component and icon. If the app is already open, it is restored and brought to the front.
Common short names recognized by the Run dialog include: notepad, vscode, explorer, paint, cmd, terminal, taskmanager, controlpanel, calculator, calendar, spotify, and browser. Type any of these and press Enter for an instant launch.

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Adding Custom Shortcuts

To register a new global shortcut, extend the handleKeyDown function in Desktop.tsx: 
const handleKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
  // Existing shortcuts...

  // Example: Win + N → open Notepad
  if (e.metaKey && e.key.toLowerCase() === 'n') {
    e.preventDefault();
    openWindow('notepad', 'Notepad 2.0', <Document24Regular />, <Notepad />);
  }
};

window.addEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown);
return () => window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown);
Always call e.preventDefault() inside shortcut handlers that override browser-native behaviors (e.g. Ctrl + S would otherwise trigger the browser’s native save dialog). For Win key combinations, e.metaKey captures the key on both macOS and Windows.

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