Launchbot
A startpage to open collections of websites with one click. It’s like restoring tabs, but anywhere.
Demo
You can use the official instance of Launchbot to try it out, or to use it indefinitely. You can customize the settings to your liking. Your data is only stored in your browser’s localStorage.
Alternatively, you can self-host it.
Prerequisites
None. You can use Launchbot from the file system with your browser, e.g. file:///Users/michael/Projects/Launchbot/dist/index.html. Just make sure you’re using the build files in the dist folder, all other files are for development only.
Development
Note: I use and recommend asdf-vm to install and manage versions of Node.js. Alternatives like
NVMornodenvcan be used as long as there’s a.nvmrcetc. file.
Node.js. Currently developed against Node.js 8.11.4.
Clone the repository and change into the Launchbot folder. Install dependencies:
npm installUsed style guides (enforced with stylelint and ESLint):
- CSS: michaelx/code-guide
- JavaScript: airbnb-base
Self-host Launchbot
Clone or download the repository. Copy the dist folder (or the files within) where you want it. This can be within the file system or onto a web server. Navigate to the index.html in your browser. E.g. file:///Users/michael/Projects/Launchbot/dist/index.html or https://launchbot.michaelxander.com (you can omit the index.html on servers.) Open the “Settings” to customize your collections, manage plugins, and to adjust options.
Embedded default config
Note: This requires the development environment. Also, if
localStorageisn’t available, the embedded config will be used.
You can also create your own embedded default config, so that you don’t have to adjust the settings twice. This is helpful if you’re using Launchbot from multiple devices.
- Edit the file
src/js/config.js. - Create a new build:
npm run build - Upload the files in the folder
dist.
Note: If you opened Launchbot before changing the embedded config, that config will be stored in
localStorage. If you then change the embedded config and create a new build you have to reset it in the UI by clickingSettings > Restore embedded config.
Upgrading
git pull, or download the latest release and replace your copy with it. If an embedded default config is used, make sure to make a backup of it, or stage and merge it.
Keyboard shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
1 to 9 |
Open set |
s or / |
Search |
esc |
Close search |
Settings
Once the settings panel is open, and you made all changes, make sure to scroll down to save or reset them.
Sets
These are your collections of websites. You can add as many as you want. Enter one URL per line.
Options
| Key | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|
| darkMode | true or false |
Enable dark mode or use light theme. |
| searchEngine | URL as String | Search engine to use. |
| faviconSize | Integer | Size of website icons. |
| faviconService | URL as String | Service to use to get the website icons. |
| linkTarget | _blank |
Where to open website sets. |
| keyboardShortcuts | true or false |
Enable or disable keyboard shortcuts. |
Plugins
Two default plugins are available. Development of new plugins should be straight forward.
Weather
Displays the weather. Example:
Weather in Berlin: Mostly Cloudy, 16°C (high 22°), 3km/h wind 0% precip., 75% cloud cover.
The weather plugin uses the Dark Sky API. Please familiarize yourself with their service before using it (API Documentation). 1,000 API calls per day are free. If localStorage is available, Launchbot caches by default the weather data for 30 minutes before making a new request.
Dark Sky has disabled cross-origin resource sharing (CORS), so we need a proxy for that. If you don’t include your Dark Sky apiKey in your embedded default config, you could use the public instance of cors-anywhere. If you deploy Launchbot with your apiKey in public, I’d host the proxy myself (cors-anywhere on GitHub).
| Key | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|
| name | String | Plugin identifier. Can’t be changed. |
| enabled | true or false |
Enable or disable the plugin. |
| corsProxy | URL as String | CORS Proxy for Dark Sky API request. |
| apiKey | String | Your Dark Sky API key. |
| locationAlias | String | Name to display for the weather location. |
| latitude | String | In decimal degrees for Dark Sky API request. |
| longitude | String | In decimal degrees for Dark Sky API request. |
| lang | String | Desired language for Dark Sky data. |
| units | String | Desired units for Dark Sky data. |
Age
Displays your precise age, as well as the percentage and years left until your defined goal. Example:
Age: 30.99692, 55.72% left until 70
Motivating, right?
| Key | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|
| name | String | Plugin identifier. Can’t be changed. |
| enabled | true or false |
Enable or disable the plugin. |
| birthday | yyyy-mm-dd as String | Desired language for Dark Sky data. |
| goal | Integer | Goal in years. |
Compatibility
You need to allow pop-ups from Launchbot. Your browser should prompt you.
Then, Launchbot should work with every major browser on most devices, as long as JavaScript is enabled.
Exceptions
Safari on iOS only allows one new tab per action. If there’s enough demand, I’ll try an alternative approach. You can use Launchbot with Chrome on iOS for the time being.
Themes
Dark (default)
Light
Author
Michael Xander