microsoft / microsoft/PowerToys

Command Palette: switch the keyboard layout (input language) to a specific one when the CmdPal is open

Open
#48,381 0 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
Needs-Triage Product-Command Palette Product-Keyboard Manager
Dominant language
C
Stars
139k
Forks
8.6k
PR merge metrics
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Description

### Description of the new feature / enhancement

Add an option to change the keyboard layout to a specific one (among the available layouts) when opening the Command Palette.

If this option is set, each time the Command Palette is open, the input language / keyboard layout should change to the one chosen in the settings.

### Scenario when this would be used?

Multi-language users who have more than one keyboard layout / language in regular use (e.g., English + Georgian) but have most of their apps and queries in one certain language (e.g., English) would benefit from fewer mistakes when opening Command Palette with a keyboard shortcut and typing an app name (or a query in general) in their secondary language, then having to delete the mistyped query, switch the language and type it again.

### Supporting information

This is implemented in Raycast and Alfred.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

The issue names no files or tests. Start by locating the Command Palette settings flow and the code that runs when it opens, then trace how available keyboard layouts can be selected. Done means a configured layout is applied whenever Command Palette opens, with behavior checked for users who have multiple layouts.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Domain
desktop, operating-systems
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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