Features Request: Launcher + Tray Mode to Replace Persistent CMD Window

[iSweat-exe]

Describe the solution you'd like

Concept overview

When the application starts, it opens a small, lightweight window that acts as a launcher and control panel.

From this window, the user can:

• Open the web interface (in this case: http://localhost:24050)
• View or open the underlying terminal output and logs
• Minimize the app to the system tray instead of keeping it in the taskbar
• Close the GUI without stopping the backend process (with a clear and explicit Exit action to fully shut everything down)

Optionally, the launcher could also support:

• Automatic startup when the system boots

Importantly, the existing CLI-based workflow would remain unchanged and fully supported.

Additional context
Currently, the application requires a CMD window to stay open in order to function. Closing this window stops the entire application, and the terminal permanently occupies space in the taskbar.

For long-running or 24/7 usage, this can be inconvenient from a user experience perspective, especially for non-technical users. A small GUI wrapper would improve usability without changing the core architecture, and would align with common patterns used by similar tools that expose a local web interface.

This would be purely an ergonomic improvement and could be implemented as an optional component or alternative distribution.

Personal notes / contribution offer
I am able to contribute design work for the GUI if the maintainers prefer not to handle it themselves. I can also create mockups or simulations of how this feature could look and behave, to help visualize its implementation.

[cyperdark]

no clue if it's possibly to hide console app in tray for nodejs, but if it is then why not

gui: no from me, webui already doing everything you want.

[iSweat-exe]

If we could put the terminal in the system tray (with the Tosu logo, of course), it would solve the biggest UX issue of the application. Honestly, I don’t really use Tosu every day for this reason, so I assume I’m not the only one. Tosu is visually very intrusive, which makes it feel quite “heavy”. In my opinion, it shouldn’t be this way.

[KotRikD]

Terminal icon only appears, when you have launched update, about tray icon, we will see. Probably it might not even be that difficult to implement.

UPD: forget what I have said, I didn't know that really terminal icon... fuck

[GabuTheDev]

When the application starts, it opens a small, lightweight window that acts as a launcher and control panel.

The only approach that would be feasable in tosu's current path is using Tauri, which would add another 15-20MB to the .exe and about 200-300mb RAM usage, which completly denies the idea of "lightweight".
The only other lightweight option is a C++ UI.

Automatic startup when the system boots

this can already be done.

Currently, the application requires a CMD window to stay open in order to function.

A nodejs process can be ran headless but there would be no way of actually stopping it via windows. It would be either task manager or via the dashboard. This would mean we would have to run sub processes which still implies at least 1 cmd window to be open..

[KotRikD]

When the application starts, it opens a small, lightweight window that acts as a launcher and control panel.

The only approach that would be feasable in tosu's current path is using Tauri, which would add another 15-20MB to the .exe and about 200-300mb RAM usage, which completly denies the idea of "lightweight". The only other lightweight option is a C++ UI.

Automatic startup when the system boots

this can already be done.

Currently, the application requires a CMD window to stay open in order to function.

A nodejs process can be ran headless but there would be no way of actually stopping it via windows. It would be either task manager or via the dashboard. This would mean we would have to run sub processes which still implies at least 1 cmd window to be open..

Well, my research is showing two ways.

1. Moving tosu just to tray, and on needed open cmd with info (good one)
2. Making an launcher for node, just to have another hwnd handler, that will separate from conhost (i really scared of this one)

[cyperdark]

@iSweat-exe

Honestly, I don’t really use Tosu every day for this reason, so I assume I’m not the only one. Tosu is visually very intrusive, which makes it feel quite “heavy”. In my opinion, it shouldn’t be this way.

if you dont want to use app just because it's a console app, thats on you because our current options either use webview/electron. And even if we do webview/electron as temporary thing, more people would be mad at tosu cuz it's added bloat for no reason. I am will be the first one to hate.

Another option to rewrite UI in another language but thats not an option right now, because @GabuTheDev already rewrote dashboard UI in vue, and im pretty sure no one else in team will not attempt to rewriting dashboard/tosu in another language just to please people who hate console apps

And also either Tauri or Electron will make tosu worse cuz of memory usage and other bullshit, and both options will make tosu actually heavy both in size and memory usage, instead of feel "heavy"

In my opinion, it shouldn’t be this way.

[xxCherry]

Moving to tray on minimize seems the most convenient solution to me

[cyperdark]

would like to hear opinion @iSweat-exe

[cyperdark]

• no response from @iSweat-exe
• from what i see it's no possible for nodejs to hide in tray, unless you use electron
• launcher is blotware that needs either electron or other heavy things

[iSweat-exe]

I'm not asking for this to be implemented right away; however, my issue is mostly intended as 'food for thought' to improve the user experience and make Tosu feel more 'professional.' I'm not here to complain or disparage the project; I'm just trying to suggest ideas to make using it more enjoyable.

[iSweat-exe]

If it’s technically too complex for such a minor feature, then simply don't do it. If someone asks for the same thing in the future, you can just point them to this conversation. I'm sure they'll understand the whole situation

[iSweat-exe]

I get the slight feeling that cyperdark took my issue the wrong way... that wasn't my intention. I’m not someone who dislikes console applications; I’m just thinking about the general public and want to make using Tosu visually easier.

[cyperdark]

@xxCherry can c++ hide nodejs console in tray and restore it?