io.Connect Desktop

io.Connect Desktop is a native runtime for Windows and macOS that provides deep OS-level integration, advanced window management, application lifecycle control, and transparent bridges to native technologies including .NET, Java, and COM.

Key Capabilities

Window Management

  • Sticky Windows — windows snap and stick to each other and screen edges
  • Tab Groups — combine multiple windows into a single tabbed frame
  • Frameless Windows — support for rounded corners, transparency, and custom chrome
  • Z-Order Control — programmatic management of window layering
  • Workspaces — arrange apps into structured row/column/tab layouts within a single frame

Application Lifecycle

  • Launch & Monitor — start both web and native apps via the API or toolbar
  • Run Priority — control boot sequence with core, pre-sso, post-sso, and user priorities
  • Preload Scripts — inject JavaScript into web apps before they load
  • Save In Layout — persist app state (URL, context, position) across layout restores

Native Bridges

io.Connect Desktop provides native SDKs that allow non-web applications to participate fully in the interop ecosystem:

TechnologySDKCapabilities
.NET (C#, WPF, WinForms)io.Connect .NET SDKFull API — contexts, channels, methods, streams, intents, windows
Java (Swing, JavaFX)io.Connect Java SDKFull API — all data sharing and window management capabilities
COM / VBA (Excel, Office)COM Interop BridgeContexts, channels, and method invocation from VBA macros
PythonREST / WebSocket APIServer-side integration and data publishing

Global Layouts

Save the entire desktop state — all open windows, their positions, sizes, and application contexts — and restore it instantly. Users can maintain multiple workspace configurations and switch between them during the day.

System Features

  • Themes — customizable visual themes for the entire platform (Day, Night, custom)
  • Notifications — centralized notification management with actions and toasts
  • Hotkeys — global keyboard shortcuts for common operations
  • Toolbar / Launchpad — customizable application launcher and search
  • Flydown/Popup Windows — context-sensitive UI attached to window elements

Platform Modes

io.Connect Desktop v10.0+ supports two operational modes:

Default ModeSupports web groups for organizing web applications into combined frames. Recommended for modern, web-centric deployments.
Advanced ModeFull support for classic window groups with deep visual integration of native OS applications. Enabled via "advancedMode": true in system.json.

Application Types

TypeDescriptionExample
windowStandard web application loaded by URLReact, Angular, vanilla JS apps
exeNative OS executable.NET WPF, Java desktop apps
nodeNode.js script (headless or windowed)Background data services
citrixCitrix Virtual AppHosted legacy applications
clickonce.NET ClickOnce deploymentSelf-updating .NET clients
workspacesSystem Workspaces AppBuilt-in workspace frame
webGroupWeb Group AppBuilt-in web group frame

Seed Project & CLI

Starting with v10.0, io.Connect Desktop uses a Seed Project paradigm managed by the @interopio/cli tool:

Getting started
# Configure license key and basic settings
npx @interopio/cli configure

# Scaffold a new Main or Client app
npx @interopio/cli new

# Build an installer (.msi) or portable bundle (.zip)
npm run make-installer

Configuration

Platform and app configurations are stored as JSON files. Common configuration surfaces include:

  • system.json — global platform settings (mode, channels, themes, gateway)
  • app-*.json — per-application definitions (name, URL, type, intents, permissions)
  • modifications/ — override folder for custom configs, assets, and apps

Learn More

Architecture

Hub-and-spoke model and platform modes

App Configuration

JSON app definitions and properties

Workspaces

Advanced window arrangements

Deployment

Build installers and deploy

External Documentation

← PreviousIntroduction