StackyNG v0.7.0 - Feature Overview & System Description#

StackyNG is a modernized, high-performance Win32 utility designed to declutter the Windows taskbar by grouping shortcuts into organized, hierarchical menus (“stacks”). It serves as a successor to the original Stacky project, rewritten for speed, stability, and compatibility with modern Windows 10/11 environments. View Readme

🚀 Key Features Implemented#

1. High-Performance Architecture#

  • Asynchronous Scanning: Unlike legacy tools that freeze the UI while scanning folders, StackyNG uses a background worker thread. You see a “Loading…” menu immediately, which dynamically refreshes once the data is ready.
  • Memory-Mapped Cache: Shortcut data and icons are stored in !stacky.cache using Win32 Memory-Mapped Files (CreateFileMapping). This allows near-instant loading on subsequent launches by mapping the file directly into the process memory space.
  • Structural Validation: On launch, StackyNG performs a lightning-fast structural scan (names and timestamps only) and compares it against the cache. It only rebuilds expensive resources (like icons) if a change is detected.

2. Modern Visuals & High DPI#

  • WIC (Windows Imaging Component): Uses the modern WIC API for high-quality, linear scaling of icons, ensuring they look sharp regardless of the source format.
  • High-DPI Awareness: Utilizes SHGetImageList to extract jumbo/large icons from the system, preventing the “blurry icon” syndrome common in older Win32 apps.
  • Dark Mode Support: Deep integration with the Windows 10/11 “Immersive Dark Mode.” The application detects your system theme and applies dark-themed menus (DarkMode_Explorer) and tooltips automatically.
  • Dynamic Tooltips: Hovering over any menu item displays a tooltip showing the target path or the shortcut’s metadata description.

3. Advanced Customization (stacky.json)#

Every stack folder can contain a stacky.json file to override default behavior:

  • Custom Naming: Change how a shortcut appears in the menu without renaming the file on disk.
  • Icon Overrides: Support for external .png or .ico icons (including transparency).
  • Argument Injection: Pass custom command-line arguments to applications when launched from the stack.
  • Administrative Elevation: Flag specific shortcuts to always “Run as Administrator.”
  • Theme Override: Force “dark”, “light”, or “auto” themes per stack.

4. Robustness & System Integration#

  • Real-Time Monitoring: Uses ReadDirectoryChangesW to watch your stack folder. If you add or remove a file while the menu is open, StackyNG detects the change and triggers an async refresh.
  • Circular Link Protection: Automatically detects and ignores circular directory junctions or symbolic links, preventing infinite recursive menu loops.
  • Single Instance Signaling: If you click a StackyNG shortcut while a menu is already open, the new process signals the existing one to refresh and reposition, then exits immediately.
  • Clean UI Logic: Implemented as a “Tool Window” to stay out of the Alt-Tab list and Taskbar, providing a seamless “native” feel.

🛠 Project Structure (Modular v0.7.0)#

The code has been fully refactored into modular components for easier maintenance:

  • App: Manages the Win32 window, message loop, and menu display.
  • CacheManager: Handles filesystem scanning, structural comparison, and cache serialization.
  • Bmp: Logic for icon extraction, WIC processing, and bitmap management.
  • Config: A lightweight, fast parser for hierarchical stacky.json files.
  • Util: Shared Win32 helpers, logging, and memory-mapping logic.
  • Logger: Thread-safe audit trail for troubleshooting background operations.

📦 Build System#

StackyNG supports multiple professional build environments:

  • CMake: Modern cross-platform foundation (min 3.15).
  • Visual Studio 2022: Full .sln and .vcxproj support.
  • NMake: Supplemental Makefile for command-line power users.
  • Batch: Simple build.bat for quick one-click compilation.
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