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Execute ​

Launch an app, open a file, folder, or URL through the OS shell.

javascript
import { execute } from "system";

Availability

Available in the Main script only.

Table of Contents ​

Methods ​

execute(target [, parameters, workingDir, show]) #
system

Executes a target through the Windows shell — equivalent to double-clicking a file or typing a URL in the Run dialog. Uses ShellExecute internally to launch files, applications, or URLs.

Common show values:

Value Constant Behavior
0 SW_HIDE Launch hidden (no window)
1 SW_SHOWNORMAL Normal window (default)
2 SW_SHOWMINIMIZED Start minimized
3 SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED Start maximized

Parameters

All parameters except target are optional. When not provided:

  • parameters defaults to empty string
  • workingDir defaults to empty string (uses system default)
  • show defaults to 1 (SW_SHOWNORMAL)

PARAMETERS

target string
Executable path, document path, folder path, or URL to open.
parameters string OPTIONAL
Command-line arguments passed to the launched executable.
workingDir string OPTIONAL
Working directory for the launched process.
show number OPTIONAL
Window show mode (Win32 SW_* constant). Defaults to 1 (SW_SHOWNORMAL).
RETURNS: boolean true if the OS shell accepted the request, false otherwise.
javascript
import { execute } from "system";

// Open a file with its default app
execute("C:\\docs\\readme.txt");

// Launch an exe with arguments
execute("notepad.exe", "C:\\docs\\readme.txt");

// Open a URL in the default browser
execute("https://novadesk.pages.dev/");

// Run a command hidden
execute("cmd.exe", "/c echo hello > C:\\temp\\out.txt", "C:\\temp", 0);