🚀 Startup Dashboard — Smart Multi-Mode Launcher

A modern startup automation dashboard built in Python (PySide6) that lets you instantly switch between customized workflows — like study, lab practice, exploitation, or chill modes — each launching specific apps, URLs, or tools automatically.

🎓 Created by Sankalp Bhosale (MCA Cyber Security & Forensics)

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🌟 Overview

Tired of manually opening the same apps every time you start your PC?
Startup Dashboard is your personal automation launcher for Windows that shows a beautiful GUI at startup, allowing you to pick what you want to do — and it does the rest automatically.

Whether you’re studying, doing lab pentesting, working on TryHackMe, or just chilling — it launches everything you need with one click.

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🖼️ Screenshot

(Add your screenshot here — rename your image to dashboard_screenshot.png and place it in an assets folder in the repo.)

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⚙️ Key Features

🧭 Smart Modes

• Study – Open ChatGPT, YouTube, and study resources automatically.
• Web Pentest – Launch Burp Suite, PortSwigger Labs, and OneNote for notes.
• Exploitation – Open TryHackMe, VirtualBox, and other practice tools.
• Chill – Fire up your favorite music or YouTube playlists.

🧩 Editable GUI

• Create, edit, or delete modes and steps directly from the app.
• Supports both apps (.exe, .vbs, .lnk) and URLs.
• Editable profile name and multiple configuration profiles.
• Config is stored as a clean .json in your user folder.

🕒 Auto Startup Integration

• Automatically launches at Windows startup with a delay for stability.
• No admin rights required — uses pythonw.exe silently (no console).
• Auto-closes if no user interaction within 90 seconds.

💾 Configurable Editor

• Inline step editor: name, type, path/URL, args, delay.
• One-click Save Config & Dry-Run preview mode.
• Built-in log viewer for debugging your setups.

🎨 Modern Dark UI

• Built using PySide6 (Qt for Python).
• Custom layout with centered launch button and responsive resizing.
• Supports keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+1..4) for quick launches.

☕ Lightweight

• No background service or bloat.
• Portable — works from any folder.

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🧰 Tech Stack

• Python 3.13+
• PySide6 (Qt Widgets GUI)
• Standard libraries: json, subprocess, webbrowser, os, time, etc.

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🧠 Installation & Setup

1️⃣ Clone this repository

git clone https://github.com/sankalpvb/startup-dashboard.git
cd startup-dashboard

2️⃣ Install dependencies

pip install PySide6

3️⃣ Run manually

python Script.py

4️⃣ (Optional) Build into an EXE

pip install pyinstaller
pyinstaller --onefile --noconsole --name startup_dashboard Script.py

After build, the .exe will be located in the dist folder.

5️⃣ Auto-run at Windows Startup

To start automatically at login:

1. Press Win + R, type shell:startup → press Enter.

2. Create a new file StartupDashboardLauncher.cmd with this content:

   @echo off
   timeout /t 30 /nobreak >nul
   start "" "C:\Users\Sankalp\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\pythonw.exe" "C:\Users\Sankalp\startup_dashboard\Script.py"

3. Save → Done ✅ It will run automatically at every login with a 30-second delay.

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📁 Config File

All settings are saved in:

C:\Users\<YourUser>\.startup_dashboard_config.json

You can export or edit this JSON manually for advanced customization.

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🧑‍💻 Developer Notes

• Uses threads for safe asynchronous app launching.
• Non-daemon workers ensure all apps launch completely before closing.
• Built-in inactivity timer closes the dashboard automatically.
• Supports multiple profiles and reusable mode definitions.

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💡 Future Roadmap

• 🔒 Config encryption (optional master password)
• 🌗 Dark/Light theme toggle
• 🧩 Plugin mode packs
• 🛠️ Import/export profiles
• 🕹️ System tray quick-launch menu

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🧾 License

MIT License © 2025 Sankalp Bhosale

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🌍 Connect

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“Automation isn’t about being lazy — it’s about freeing your focus for what truly matters.”