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Windows · 2 min read

A Spotlight-style launcher for Windows, with AI built in

Get a Mac Spotlight-like search bar on Windows: open apps, settings and files as you type, do quick maths and conversions, control volume and Wi-Fi, and ask AI, all from one shortcut.

Mac users get Spotlight: one shortcut, type a few letters, and the app, file or answer is there. Windows' Start menu search does some of this, but it's slower and full of web results. A launcher gives Windows the same "type, Enter, done" habit, and layman adds an AI to it.

Results while you type

Press the shortcut and start typing. Results appear with each key:

  • Apps, including Microsoft Store apps. Nicknames and initials work: vsc finds Visual Studio Code, and small typos like spotfy still match.
  • Settings pages: bluetooth, display, uninstall.
  • Files and folders, open windows and browser tabs, bookmarks, and your clipboard history.
  • The web: yt lofi searches YouTube, github.com opens the site.

It learns: pick Bluetooth after typing bl a few times and Bluetooth comes first next time.

Filters

Type a letter and a space to search one kind of thing: f files, a apps, s settings, c clipboard, w open windows, b bookmarks, = calculator only, ? ask AI. Type / to see them all.

Instant answers, no AI needed

  • Maths: 18% of 2400, (3+4)*2.
  • Conversions: 5 km in miles, 72f to c, 100 usd to eur.
  • Time: time in tokyo, days until christmas.
  • Developer tools: json, b64, uuid, sha256, regex, offline.

Controls inside the results

Type volume, brightness, bluetooth, wifi or dark mode and a slider or switch appears right in the result. Change it without opening Settings. music shows a player with play, pause and skip.

And an AI

When what you type reads like a question, "Ask layman" comes first, with a preview of the answer while you're still typing. The AI runs on your PC by default, and it can see what you selected before opening the bar. See asking AI about anything on your screen.

Which shortcut?

layman uses Alt+Space by default. A few things to know:

  • Microsoft PowerToys Run also uses Alt+Space by default. If you have it, change one of them; layman's shortcut is in Dashboard → Settings.
  • Alt+Space normally opens the window menu in Windows; layman takes it over while it's running.
  • Prefer something else? A quick tap of Ctrl+Shift, or a three-finger tap on a precision touchpad, also opens the bar.

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