Teamsy: Launcher Plugin and Commander for Microsoft Teams

I present here how to master Microsoft Teams hotkeys and shortcuts from your preferred application launcher (e.g. Executor or Launchy) or from the command line e.g. with Stream Deck - using a small but very powerful tool implemented with AutoHotkey. I call it Teamsy.

Update: these feature are also available without requiring an external application launcher. See New Teamsy Standalone Launcher for Microsoft Teams

About

Teamsy is a plugin for your Launcher application (e.g. Executor or Launchy) as well as an executable that can be run from the command line to control/access Microsoft Teams.

It is implemented using AutoHotkey but provided as small exe/ compiled standalone application. (no AutoHotkey setup required.)

Direct Link to YouTube video

Installation

Get the Teams.exe from GitHub here Teamsy.exe (direct download link)

Source code is available here: Teamsy.ahk

Prerequisite: you need to have a Launcher installed. I recommend Executor or Launchy.

How to compile

If you want to adapt the source code or you don't trust my exe, this is how you can compile the ahk script to a standalone exe - prerequisite you have AutoHotkey installed.

Simply run from the directory where Teamsy.ahk is located

$InstallPath$\AutoHotkey\Compiler\Ahk2Exe.exe /in "Teamsy.ahk" /icon "Teamsy.ico"

or use the Compiler GUI.

How to integrate to your Launcher Application (Executor, Launchy)

Add a keyword (I use t) to call the Teamsy.exe and redirect the parameters to this exe — see screenshot below:

Command: Teamsy.exe

Parameters: "$P$"

Start in folder: where you have downloaded the Teamsy.exe

You can choose the icon under ./icons/Teams.ico

How to use

To call Teamsy open your app Launcher (Executor with Alt+Space hotkey for me), type the keyword (t for me) followed by a command. (No command will simply open Teams)

For some keywords, Teamsy simply redirect the commands to the Teams command bar.

You can view the list of commands in teams by entering / in the command/ search bar:

List of custom commands available can be viewed in the source code https://github.com/tdalon/ahk/blob/master/Teamsy.ahk.

You can also run Teamsy from the command line or StreamDeck simply running <PathToTeamsy>Teamsy.exe "{keyword}"

You can omit the / before the command. Example dnd will do the same as select the Teams command bar and type /dnd command.

You don't need to have Teams opened/ focused to run Teamsy.

You can also use Teamsy to assign a keyword to a keyboard shortcuts.

Example new expanded message = n

If you want to run a command but check (for example for name proper completion/ matching) use - (minus) at the end of the command to break.

Example call chris- will stop before calling in the command bar

You can then navigate with the arrow down to select the matching contact.

Activate Teams Windows

If you want to activate/put into focus Teams main window, just run Teamsy without arguments.

To activate a Teams Meeting window, launch Teamsy with the single argument keyword 'm' or 'meet'.

Call someone

Simply run call xxx. Teams will call the first contact it finds. It remembers your last contacted person. So if you have one preferred Daniel, running call Daniel will be clear enough to fire a call to him.

Open a chat

Use the command pop to open a 1-1 popped out chat.

Open a Team/ Channel

Use the goto command.

Change status

d or dnd : for set your status to Do not disturb

f, free, a, available: to set your status to free/ available

Toggle video / Toggle mute

v: will toggle video on with blurred background

mu, mute: will toggle mute. (this hotkey works also from the main Teams window)

View Unread

u: to view unread messages

Create a new meeting

Specially useful to create a channel meeting.

Simply use n (for new) followed by m or meet as keyword.

Share Desktop

This is opening the share tray (Ctrl+Shift+E) and selecting the first entry which is your main Desktop 1 to be shared. (it saves a couple of clicks)

The keyword for this is 'sh'.

Quick Message to someone (1-1)

Typing @someone will select the search/ command bar and type @someone in it followed by ENTER.

Here also if you aren't sure about the name resolution, you can break it with a - at the end (like for the pop or call command).

Tip: If the last name is unique in your organization rather use @lastname.

Known Issues

Teams special / custom commands only work for English language. Contact me if you want your language supported.

Thierry Dalon's Blog

July 28, 2020