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How to set up your work apps and windows with one hotkey

KeyRoutines' free Work Mode template uses a Hotkey trigger (and an optional At a time trigger for weekday mornings) to run Close app on launchers, Open app and Open file or folder for your project, Open URLs for work pages, Apply layout across your monitors and Set volume.

Steps

  1. 1

    Open the template

    Add the Work Mode template; it runs on Ctrl+Alt+W, and you can turn on its 09:00 weekday trigger.

  2. 2

    Close the distractions

    Close app asks Steam and Epic Games Launcher to close and ends them after 10 seconds.

  3. 3

    Open your work

    Open app and Open file or folder open VS Code on your project, Open URLs opens your work pages in a new window, and Slack and Discord start.

  4. 4

    Arrange the desk

    Apply layout puts each window on its monitor; use Snapshot current layout to copy your own arrangement.

  5. 5

    Set the volume

    Set volume brings the master volume to a work-friendly level.

Tips

  • Pick a browser profile in Open URLs, such as Edge with your work profile.

Questions

What if an app takes a while to open?
The template waits for each window before arranging it, so slow apps are placed once they appear.
Can I change which apps open?
Yes. Every app, page and folder is a field in the template's inputs.

Blocks this routine uses

Trigger · HotkeysFree

Hotkey

Hotkey starts a routine when you press a keyboard shortcut or mouse button. It's the most common way to run a routine, from a single app launcher key to a whole streaming setup on one combination.

Trigger · ScheduleFree

At a time

At a time starts a routine at a time of day, every day or only on the days you pick. Classic uses are a work setup at 09:00 on weekdays and an end-of-day routine in the evening.

Step · AppsFree

Close app

Close app shuts down the programs you pick, or every open app except the ones you want to keep. People put it at the end of a work session, before a game, or anywhere a cluttered taskbar gets in the way.

Step · AppsFree

Open app

Open app starts a program, a Store app, a shortcut or a game from your library. It is the first step of most setup routines, from a morning work session to a full streaming setup.

Step · FilesFree

Open file or folder

Open file or folder opens something on your PC as part of a routine. Use it to bring up today's notes, a project folder, or the file a trigger just found.

Step · BrowserFree

Open URLs

Open URLs opens one or more web pages in your default browser, or in a chosen browser and profile. It is the quickest way to bring up the same set of pages every time, such as your work dashboards or a game's guides.

Step · WindowsFree

Apply layout

Apply layout puts several windows on their monitors in one step, and can open apps that aren't running yet. It's the step behind "one key and my whole workspace is set up".

Step · AudioFree

Set volume

Set volume changes the level of the master output, the microphone, one device or one app. Use it to set a quiet level at night, a louder level for speakers, or a steady mic level before you record.

More how-to guides

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