Run, Execute & Open Reference
This page describes built-in Touch Portal Run, Execute & Open actions, events and states. For other automation options, see the Touch Portal Capability Model.
Run, Execute & Open Actions
Start / Run Application
Action settings
filepath
The path of the file you want to start. This needs to be an executable. This action should not be used to run shortcuts or other non-executable files.
arguments
The arguments to pass to the file you want to start. Some applications allow you to add arguments to the path that will start the application with additional information. Leave empty if you do not need it.
This action allows you to start or run an application on your desktop computer
Special Case: Launching Steam Games
Launching Steam games is not possible directly using this Action. To launch a Steam game you need to use the steam id and use the Open URL action instead from the Navigation category like this:
Special Case: Launching Epic Games
Launching Epic games is not possible in the normal way just like Steam games. To launch an Epic game you need to do similar steps as with the steam option. First you need to open the properties of the normal shortcut on your desktop to that game. It will hold an url that you need to copy and use on an Open URL action instead from the Navigation category.
Special Case: Windows Apps
Windows apps are a special type of application. They are different from normal executables. Touch Portal has no trouble opening such applications but finding them can be difficult. Here is how you run windows Apps with Touch Portal:
- Open a file explorer
- Enter this value: shell:AppsFolder
- This will open the applications folder.
- Pick the application you want to start
- Right mouse click and choose "Create Shortcut"
- Now use this shortcut in the Run shortcut action
What to do when the application is not launched?
Some applications will not start up using this action. To be able to start such an application, create a shortcut to the application and use the Run-a-shortcut-action instead and point it to your created shortcut.
Note: Some complex combinations of argument may not work. If this happens, best to start the application using a batch file and use the execute-batch-file-action instead.
Action
1.0
Available since
Open File
Action settings
File path
The path of the file to open.
This action allows you to start any file. This will ask the OS to open or start the file.
Note: Your OS is asked to open the file. This will fail if the OS does not know how to handle the file. It also means that your OS will use the default selected application for the specific file extension. If you want to open it in a different application you need to use the Run Application action instead and use the arguments if that specific application supports this functionality.
Action
2.2
Available since
Open Folder
Action settings
Path
The path of the folder you want to be opened.
This action allows you to open a folder in your OS explorer.
Action
1.3
Available since
Run Batch Script
Action settings
Execution Type
option how to execute the batch file. Normally the action is started in the background and Touch Portal continues with the next action. If you need the action to wait for execution, choose the wait option. In some case you do not want to have the batch execution on the background, use the open option to let the command prompt execution of the batch file appear.
Script File Path
the path referencing the batch file
Arguments
arguments/parameters to add to the path when running the batch file
This action allows you to execute Batch scripts.
Action
1.0
Available since
Run Powershell Script
Action settings
File
the reference to the PowerShell script file
Params
the parameters to pass on to the script file
This action allows you to run a PowerShell script file
Open Windows Restrictions
Touch Portal requires that the execution policies of Powershell are unrestricted. By default Windows sets it on restricted so we need to change that. Do the following:
- Open a Command Prompt in Windows (cmd.exe)
- Type "Powershell" and press enter.
- Powershell is now started. When in Powershell run the following two commands
- Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Force;
- Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Force;
- These two options allow you to run any script (unrestricted) and will not prompt a message with the question whether it is safe to run your selected script (bypass)
Note: If you have spaces in the full path of the powershell script and it does not run, you need to add a ` (Grave Accent) as an escape character for the space. So place it on each space in the path and keep 1 space size after the grave accent. This will allow spaces in Powershell.
Note: Touch Portal tells the OS that the origin of the script is the working directory of the file. If your script uses relative paths, you need to take account for this. If parts of the script are not working, ensure you use full paths to files and such.
Action
1.7
Available since
Launch Apps & Games
Action settings
Type
The type of app (Windows Apps (made by MS), Steam Games, Epic Games, GOG Games and other Windows Apps)
App
The app or game to launch
This action allows you to run a Windows (UWP) Apps, steam games, epic games, gog games and other apps.
Note: Touch Portal will query for available information from the system and from the services. When services change their functionality, so may Touch Portal no longer be able to retrieve the list of games and applications to start. When this happens, check the logs and report to the Touch Portal dev. Applications can always be started using shortcuts and application paths in this case.
Action
4.2
Available since
Run Apple Script
Action settings
Script
the Apple script code you want to execute.
This action allows you to execute Apple script code. You can type the Apple script code right in the text box.
Action
3.0
Available since
Execute Script
Action settings
Run Option
Option for executing the script. (Run, Run visibly or Run and Wait for execution).
Script Path
(macOS only) The full path pointing to the script executable.
File Path
The path of the script file you want to execute. (.sh only on Linux)
arguments
The arguments to pass to the script you want to execute. Leave empty if you do not need it.
This action allows you to execute a script.
Note: All fields (and scripts) should use full paths. This action does not inherit $PATH data and wildcards also cannot be used.
Note: Some complex combinations of argument may not work. If this happens, best to start it using a second script (sh) file to have all arguments set up properly.
Note: On macOS you can also use this action to execute python scripts. Instead of setting the bash script path, set the python executable path in that field.
Action
3.1
Available since