QMK keycode to open a program

README.md

most of the above file is copied from the default keymap.c file from the hifumi keymap. the above file is a full copy pasted keymap.c, ready for use on a hifumi 6-key macropad, keymaps doing:

first col	second col	third col
page down	up arrow	start steam
left arrow	down arrow	right arrow

TLDR: on your keymap:

1. declare an enum called custom_keycodes

enum custom_keycodes {
    STEAM = SAFE_RANGE, // SAFE_RANGE prevents it from using a clashing keycode
};

2. create a function called process_record_user with:
   • a SEND_STRING(SS_TAP(X_LGUI) "steam" SS_DELAY(500) SS_TAP(X_ENT)); where the text in the double quotes is anything you type in your windows searchbar
   • this essentially taps the windows button, types your text, wait a bit for search to finish, then press ENTER. et voila! opens your program.

bool process_record_user(uint16_t keycode, keyrecord_t *record) {
    switch (keycode) {
        case STEAM:
            if (record->event.pressed) {
                SEND_STRING(SS_TAP(X_LGUI) "steam" SS_DELAY(500) SS_TAP(X_ENT));
            } else {
                // when keycode is released
            }
            break;
    }
    return true;
}

3. use that function in your keymap

const uint16_t PROGMEM keymaps[][MATRIX_ROWS][MATRIX_COLS] = {
    [DEFAULT] = LAYOUT(
        KC_PGDN, KC_UP,   STEAM, // used my top right key for the 'open steam' macro
        KC_LEFT, KC_DOWN, KC_RIGHT
    ),
    // the rest of the kepmap layers if needed

qmk_keycode_to_open_a_program.c

/* Copyright 2019 zk-phi
 *
 * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
 * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
 * the Free Software Foundation, either version 2 of the License, or
 * (at your option) any later version.
 *
 * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
 * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
 * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
 * GNU General Public License for more details.
 *
 * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 * along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 */
#include QMK_KEYBOARD_H

#ifdef RGBLIGHT_ENABLE
//Following line allows macro to read current RGB settings
extern rgblight_config_t rgblight_config;
#endif

enum layers {
    DEFAULT,
    RAISE,
    LOWER,
    ADJUST
};

enum custom_keycodes {
    STEAM = SAFE_RANGE,
};

bool process_record_user(uint16_t keycode, keyrecord_t *record) {
    switch (keycode) {
        case STEAM:
            if (record->event.pressed) {
                SEND_STRING(SS_TAP(X_LGUI) "steam" SS_DELAY(500) SS_TAP(X_ENT));
            } else {
                // when keycode is released
            }
            break;
    }
    return true;
}

// below is for kepmaps for a hifumi 6 key macropad
const uint16_t PROGMEM keymaps[][MATRIX_ROWS][MATRIX_COLS] = {
    [DEFAULT] = LAYOUT(
        KC_PGDN, KC_UP,   STEAM,
        KC_LEFT, KC_DOWN, KC_RIGHT
    ),
    [RAISE] = LAYOUT(
        _______, KC_PGUP, MO(ADJUST),
        KC_HOME, KC_PGDN, KC_END
    ),
    [LOWER] = LAYOUT(
        MO(ADJUST), _______, _______,
        _______,    _______, _______
    ),
    [ADJUST] = LAYOUT(
        _______,        RGB_TOG,        _______,
        RGB_MODE_SNAKE, RGB_MODE_PLAIN, RGB_HUI
    )
};

Running SS_LGUI('r') is a good idea, though you still need to wait 10ms for the run box to open else the string stream following the tap will cutoff the first character.