tools/run_apps.py

import subprocess
import os

def open_application(app_name):
    """
    Opens common Windows applications based on a user-friendly name.
    """
    # Dictionary mapping friendly names to Windows execution commands
    apps = {
        "word": "winword",
        "powerpoint": "powerpnt",
        "excel": "excel",
        "notepad": "notepad",
        "calculator": "calc",
        "browser": "start msedge"  # Opens Microsoft Edge
    }

    # Normalize the input name
    target = app_name.lower().strip()

    if target in apps:
        print(f"Opening {app_name.capitalize()}...")
        try:
            # shell=True allows running system aliases like 'winword' or 'calc'
            subprocess.Popen(apps[target], shell=True)
            print("✅ Application launched successfully.")
        except Exception as e:
            print(f"❌ Failed to open application: {e}")
    else:
        print(f"❌ '{app_name}' is not in the configured list.")

# Example Usage
if __name__ == "__main__":
    # Change this to "powerpoint", "excel", "notepad", or "calculator"
    app_to_open = "word" 
    
    open_application(app_to_open)