Phase 2 (Part B): Advanced Containers (Windows & Folders)

Once the basic Page and Layout is mastered, the next step is mastering “Floating” and “Collapsing” containers. In Total Launcher, these are called Windows and Folders.

A Window is arguably the most powerful feature in Total Launcher. It is a container that can be full or partial screen, acting as an overlay on top of the current page.

• Visibility: Windows are frequently “hidden” containers that appear only when triggered.
• Interaction: They can appear via a gesture, a visible shortcut, an invisible trigger, or a series of actions (Sequence).
• Scrolling: While the Window itself is a fixed overlay, you can place scrollable widgets (like an RSS Reader or App Drawer) inside a Window to create scrolling pop-up lists.
• Usage: Windows are often used to replace horizontally scrolling pages entirely, keeping the home screen clean.

A common advanced use case is creating a custom Search interface:

1. Create a Window.
2. Place an App Drawer widget inside it.
3. Customize the window's background, color, and font.
4. Set a Launcher Action (App Search) as the Window's “Action on open.”
5. *Result:* When opened, this window provides a fully customized search keyboard and interface. See the detailed procedure here.

Windows support Transition Animations.

• Transition ID: You can link an object on your page to a Window using a “Transition ID.” Both the button and the destination Window must have identical IDs.
• Duration: The animation speed is customizable up to 800ms.

A Folder in Total Launcher is a simple container used to group items, similar to other launchers, but with more visual control.

New users often confuse these two:

• Folder: A basic container for shortcuts. It expands/collapses when tapped.
• App Group Widget: A dedicated widget that *looks* like a folder but has widget-specific features (like separate layout controls).
• See the Widget Section or specifically for a more detailed review of the App Group widget.

• Content: Folders can hold shortcuts, app links, and even some graphics.
• Tags: Folders interact with the App Drawer's “Tag” system. You can tag apps to automatically sort them into specific folders/groups.
• Customization:
  • Background: Supports Color, Image, Icon Pack, and Shape.
  • Icon: The folder icon itself can be customized using the standard “Icon Style” options.

Because Windows float, you can use them for Widget Stacking.

• Concept: Place 2 or more windows on top of each other (e.g., a “Weather Window” and a “Calendar Window”).
• Switching: Create transparent buttons that execute a sequence using a “Close Window A” and “Open Window B” action statement to toggle between views without leaving the home screen.