Glossary

The words, explained

Everything you'll see in KeyRoutines, in a sentence or two.

App is ready: App is ready is a condition that checks an app has really finished loading, not just started.
App-specific hotkey: An app-specific hotkey only works, or works differently, while a particular app is in front.
At the same time: At the same time runs several groups of steps in parallel instead of one after another.
Background input: Background input means sending keys, text or clicks to an app that isn't the window in front.
Block: A block is any building piece you can add to a routine: a trigger, a step or a condition.
Branch (If and Switch): A branch lets a routine do different things depending on a condition.
Condition: A condition is a yes-or-no check, such as whether an app is running or a headset is connected.
Debugger: The debugger lets you pause a running routine at breakpoints, step through it and change variables.
Delay: A Delay step waits a fixed amount of time before the next step.
Game-safe mode: Game-safe mode turns off anything that could look like automation inside a game while a protected game runs.
Hotkey: A hotkey is a key combination, such as Ctrl+Alt+G, that starts a routine.
Importing routines: Importing adds a routine someone shared, as a .krroutine file, to your KeyRoutines.
KeyRoutines Pro: KeyRoutines Pro is a one-time upgrade that adds deeper features to the free app.
Layouts library: The Layouts library is where KeyRoutines keeps window layouts you've saved by name.
Local API: The Local API lets programs on your own PC that you pair, such as the Stream Deck plugin, list and run routines.
Loop (Repeat): A loop repeats steps a number of times, for each item in a list, or while a condition holds.
Mode: A Mode is a routine that stays on until you turn it off, and then puts back what it changed.
Panic hotkey: The panic hotkey stops every running routine at once.
Preview run (dry run): A preview run shows what a routine would do without doing it.
Protected game: A protected game is one that uses anti-cheat protection, which KeyRoutines treats with extra care.
Remembered value: A remembered value is kept between runs, even after a restart.
Routine: A routine is a set of steps your PC carries out for you, started by a trigger.
Routine inputs: Inputs are the fields a routine asks you to fill in, such as which apps to close or which headset to use.
Run history: Run history shows every time a routine ran, each step's result, how long it took and why it stopped.
Schedule: A schedule starts a routine at a time of day or every so often.
Secrets vault: The secrets vault stores passwords and tokens that routines use, outside the routines themselves.
Started by trigger: Started by trigger is a condition that tells a routine which of its triggers started it.
Step: A step is one action in a routine, such as opening an app, switching an audio device or moving a file.
Stream Deck plugin: The KeyRoutines Stream Deck plugin puts routines on Stream Deck keys and dials.
Template: A template is a ready-made routine you can add and adjust instead of starting from scratch.
Toggle routine: A toggle routine does one thing on the first press and the opposite on the next.
Trigger: A trigger is the event that starts a routine, such as a hotkey, a time of day or an app opening.
Typed text (hotstring): Typed text replaces a short abbreviation you type, such as sig;, with longer text, or runs a routine.
Variable: A variable holds a value inside one run of a routine, such as a file name or a number.
Wait until: Wait until pauses a routine until a condition becomes true, or a timeout runs out.
Webhook: A webhook is a web address that receives a message; KeyRoutines can send to one or be started by one.
Window layout: A window layout is a saved arrangement of windows: which app goes on which monitor, where and how big.
Window rule: A window rule is an automatic action for a window, such as always opening an app on a certain monitor.