NOTICE: Kodachi is now Open Source - Project Leader needed

Our lead developer has not been able to work on Kodachi for months, nor will he be able to work on it in the future. For this reason, he has released the source code to the community. You may join the project at CodePlex. Kodachi needs a project leader. The project creator absolutely cannot be involved in this project any longer. Please contact Caspian if you are interested in leading the project. Otherwise, start hacking away! Again, DO NOT contact the project creator (dbilbey), as he is no longer involved in the project.

What is Kodachi?

Simple Explanation

At its simplest, Kodachi is an application launcher. When activated (via <Control>+<Space> or a customizable hotkey), Kodachi appears and awaits your query. You may type an entire application name, portions of a name, or abbreviations. Kodachi will learn as you use it and will become more accurate at determining what you need with fewer keystrokes. This screenshot shows the query "wpad" finding the Wordpad application.

After finding your application, pressing <ENTER> will launch the application. This simple functionality alone is worth installing Kodachi and eliminating your dependence on the Start Menu. However, this functionality is just the tip of the Kodachi iceberg.

Detailed Explanation

Kodachi is a command system that performs any number of given Actions on Items that are in its catalog. The simplest example is outlined above. You find an Item, then press <ENTER> to perform the Launch Action on that Item.

Kodachi has three query modes, which can be navigated with the <Tab> key (<Shift>+<Tab> to navigate backwards):

  1. Direct Item
  2. Action
  3. Indirect Item (optional)

When activated via <CONTROL>+<SPACE> (or other customizable hotkey), Kodachi appears in Direct Item mode. This mode accepts your query and finds an Item in its catalog to match your query. You may use the down arrow to move through the list of matching Items. After finding your Item, press <ENTER> and the default Action for that Item (usually Launch) will execute.

If you wish to perform a different Action however, you may press <TAB> and enter into Action mode. In this mode, Kodachi attempts to match your next query with one of the many Actions that are valid for the chosen Item[s]. These screenshots show a few of the Actions that are installed by default:

 

Some Actions will accept or require one or more parameters. These are selected in Indirect Item mode. These screenshots show the Append To Action in use.

 

Text Entry

Notice the list of Items in the Direct Item pane above. This is a special feature of Kodachi that allows for the entry of text as an Item. There are two ways to accomplish this. You may press the period key to directly enter into Text Entry mode. In addition, Kodachi has an option to automatically enter Text Entry mode when you have typed a query that returns no results. When in Text Entry mode, you must use the <CONTROL> key to use special keys. (e.g. <TAB> and <ENTER>)

Note: The Core Plugin contains both Append To and Prepend To Actions.

 

Drill down

Kodachi implements functionality called Drill-Down. Many Items are drillable. For example, I can hold down the "C" key to bring up the C: drive Item. You will notice a small arrow next to the Item's name; this arrow indicates that the Item is drillable. If I then press the right-arrow or "\" key, I will drill down into the C: drive Item. Now, my list of available Items consists of the subfolders of the C: drive. I can then query (or down-arrow) to the appropriate folder and launch it or drill down further into that folder. If I ever need to move back up a level, I just press the left arrow or Backspace key. This functionality allows you to use Kodachi to reach anything on any of your drives, including CD-ROM and Network drives.

 
 

Stash

Kodachi implements a feature called the Stash. If at anytime during your query, you want to stash the current Item and search for another, just press the comma key. This will place a small icon in the corner and let you search for another. The number of Items you can stash is unlimited, however Kodachi only has room to display the 5 most current Items. When an Action executes, it will execute on all stashed Items.

 
 
 

Notifications

Kodachi has a notification system built in that allows for non-obtrusive information display. This window fades in above the system tray and stays visible for 3 seconds before fading away. If you wish to view the notification longer, just move your mouse over the information pane and it will remain visible. This screenshot shows information about an Item using the Display Action.

 
 

Plugins

Kodachi has been designed from the ground-up as a plugin-centric application. The default core functionality is implemented as a plugin. Additional functionality can be added via Kodachi's very simple plugin architecture. Plugins can be written to give Kodachi new Items, Actions, Notifiers, and Interfaces. Plugins can also extend Items that are created by other plugins. This plugin architecture is paramount in making Kodachi the most effective tool in maximizing your productivity.

Example Plugins

iTunes

The iTunes plugin enables you to control iTunes using Kodachi. Currently, the plugin allows you to play/pause/stop iTunes, skip tracks (forward and backward), mute and adjust volume, display track information, and rate the currently playing track. More features are planned, including the ability to drill down into the iTunes music library.

 

Weather

The weather plugin enables you to check the current weather and the extended forecast.