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Overview

Window Options control how the command window behaves when running your Python scripts. These settings customize the window title, visibility, closing behavior, argument passing, and error handling.

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Configuration Options

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windowname
string
default:"Python"
Sets the title displayed in the command window title bar when running Python scripts.Common values:
  • Python - Generic default
  • My Project - Project-specific name
  • Development Server - Descriptive of what’s running
  • %cd% - Show current directory path
This helps identify windows when running multiple Python scripts simultaneously.
Use descriptive names when running multiple launchers to easily distinguish between them in the taskbar.
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minimizedcmd
boolean
default:"0"
Controls whether the command window starts minimized when launching Python scripts.Valid values:
  • 0 - Normal window (default)
  • 1 - Start minimized
Useful for:
  • Background services or long-running processes
  • Web servers that don’t require console interaction
  • Scripts where output isn’t needed immediately
Even when minimized, the window remains accessible in the taskbar and can be restored to view output or interact with the script.
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autoclosecmd
boolean
default:"0"
Controls whether the command window automatically closes when the Python script finishes executing.Valid values:
  • 0 - Keep window open (default)
  • 1 - Close automatically
Recommended settings:
  • 0 for development: Keep window open to see errors and output
  • 1 for production: Auto-close for cleaner execution
When set to 1, error messages may disappear before you can read them. Use 0 during development to catch errors.
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passarguments
boolean
default:"0"
Controls whether command-line arguments passed to the launcher are forwarded to the Python script.Valid values:
  • 0 - Don’t pass arguments (allows drag-and-drop)
  • 1 - Pass all arguments to Python script
Important trade-off:
  • When 0: You can drag-and-drop Python files onto the launcher to run them
  • When 1: Arguments are passed but drag-and-drop is disabled
Enabling passarguments disables the ability to run Python files by dragging them over the launcher.
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alertifpynotinstalled
boolean
default:"1"
Controls what happens when Python is not found on the system.Valid values:
  • 1 - Alert user and open Python download page
  • 0 - Silently abort with error message
When enabled (1):
  1. User sees “No python version was found!”
  2. Message “Opening download page” appears
  3. Browser opens to https://www.python.org/downloads/
  4. User must press any key to close the launcher
When disabled (0):
  1. User sees error message
  2. Launcher exits
  3. No browser window opens
Keep this enabled (1) for user-friendly launchers that will be shared with others who might not have Python installed.

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Usage Examples

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Development Configuration

Keep window open to see all output and errors: 
::Development-friendly settings
set windowname=Dev Server
set minimizedcmd=0
set autoclosecmd=0
set passarguments=0
set alertifpynotinstalled=1
This configuration:
  • Shows a descriptive window title
  • Keeps window visible and open
  • Allows drag-and-drop execution
  • Helps users install Python if missing

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Production/Background Service

Run minimized and auto-close when done: 
::Background service settings
set windowname=Background Service
set minimizedcmd=1
set autoclosecmd=1
set passarguments=0
set alertifpynotinstalled=0
This configuration:
  • Runs minimized to avoid clutter
  • Auto-closes when script finishes
  • Assumes Python is installed (server environment)
Don’t use auto-close during development - you won’t see error messages!

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Command-Line Tool

Accept and forward arguments to Python script: 
::CLI tool that accepts arguments
set windowname=Python CLI Tool
set minimizedcmd=0
set autoclosecmd=0
set passarguments=1
set alertifpynotinstalled=1
Usage example: 
PythonLauncher.bat --input data.txt --output results.txt
The arguments --input data.txt --output results.txt are passed to your Python script.
With passarguments=1, you cannot drag-and-drop files onto the launcher.

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Web Development Server

Keep visible to monitor server output: 
::Web server settings
set windowname=Flask Development Server
set minimizedcmd=0
set autoclosecmd=0
set passarguments=0
set alertifpynotinstalled=1
This keeps the server output visible so you can see:
  • Request logs
  • Error messages
  • Debug information

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Scheduled Task/Automation

Run silently in background: 
::Automated task settings
set windowname=Scheduled Backup
set minimizedcmd=1
set autoclosecmd=1
set passarguments=0
set alertifpynotinstalled=0
Ideal for:
  • Windows Task Scheduler tasks
  • Automated backups
  • Periodic data processing

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User-Friendly Distribution

Help users who might not have Python: 
::End-user friendly settings
set windowname=My Application
set minimizedcmd=0
set autoclosecmd=0
set passarguments=0
set alertifpynotinstalled=1
This provides the best experience for non-technical users:
  • Clear window title
  • Visible output
  • Helpful Python installation guidance

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Window Name Customization

You can use various approaches for window titles:

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Static Names

set windowname=My Application

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Project-Specific

set windowname=Customer Data Processor

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Descriptive of Function

set windowname=Flask API Server - Port 5000

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Dynamic (Current Directory)

set windowname=%cd%
This shows the full path to the project directory in the title bar.
Use descriptive window names when running multiple Python applications simultaneously to easily identify them in the taskbar.

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Argument Passing Details

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How passarguments Works

When passarguments=1, all arguments passed to the launcher are forwarded: 
PythonLauncher.bat arg1 arg2 arg3
Becomes: 
python script.py arg1 arg2 arg3

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Accessing Arguments in Python

import sys

if __name__ == "__main__":
    # sys.argv[0] is the script name
    # sys.argv[1:] are the arguments
    args = sys.argv[1:]
    print(f"Received arguments: {args}")

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Drag-and-Drop Limitation

When passarguments=0, you can drag a Python file onto the launcher:
  1. User drags my_script.py onto PythonLauncher.bat
  2. Launcher receives my_script.py as an argument
  3. Launcher runs my_script.py instead of the auto-detected initial file
When passarguments=1, this doesn’t work because arguments are passed to the Python script, not interpreted by the launcher.
The initialfiles configuration (see Configuration Overview) determines which script runs when no file is dragged onto the launcher.

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Common Configurations

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Development

set windowname=Development
set minimizedcmd=0
set autoclosecmd=0
set passarguments=0
set alertifpynotinstalled=1

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Production

set windowname=Production
set minimizedcmd=1
set autoclosecmd=1
set passarguments=0
set alertifpynotinstalled=0

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CLI Application

set windowname=CLI Tool
set minimizedcmd=0
set autoclosecmd=0
set passarguments=1
set alertifpynotinstalled=1

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Background Service

set windowname=Service
set minimizedcmd=1
set autoclosecmd=0
set passarguments=0
set alertifpynotinstalled=0

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Long-Running Task

set windowname=Processing Job
set minimizedcmd=1
set autoclosecmd=1
set passarguments=0
set alertifpynotinstalled=0

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Troubleshooting

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Window Closes Too Quickly

If the window closes before you can read output:
  1. Set autoclosecmd=0 to keep window open
  2. Run the launcher from a command prompt to see all output
  3. Add input("Press Enter to continue...") to your Python script

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Can’t See Window

If the window starts minimized but you need to see it:
  1. Set minimizedcmd=0 temporarily
  2. Click the window in the taskbar to restore it
  3. Check for errors in your Python script

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Arguments Not Received

If your Python script doesn’t receive arguments:
  1. Verify passarguments=1
  2. Test with a simple script: 
    import sys
print(sys.argv)
  3. Check for spaces in arguments (use quotes if needed)

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Drag-and-Drop Doesn’t Work

If dragging files onto the launcher doesn’t run them:
  1. Verify passarguments=0 (must be disabled)
  2. Ensure the dragged file is a .py file
  3. Check file permissions

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Python Not Found Alert Missing

If users don’t get help when Python is missing:
  1. Set alertifpynotinstalled=1
  2. Verify the Python download page URL is accessible
  3. Check that the script can open a browser

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Best Practices

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Development Phase

During development, use settings that maximize visibility: 
set windowname=Development
set minimizedcmd=0
set autoclosecmd=0
This lets you:
  • See all output immediately
  • Read error messages
  • Interact with the console

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Production Deployment

For production, use settings that minimize user interaction: 
set windowname=Application
set minimizedcmd=1
set autoclosecmd=1

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User Distribution

When distributing to end users: 
set alertifpynotinstalled=1
This provides helpful guidance if Python isn’t installed.

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Multiple Launchers

When running multiple scripts, use unique window names: 
::API Server
set windowname=API Server - Port 8000

::Worker Process  
set windowname=Background Worker

::Database Sync
set windowname=DB Sync Service

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Debugging Issues

When troubleshooting: 
set windowname=DEBUG MODE
set minimizedcmd=0
set autoclosecmd=0
set alertifpynotinstalled=1
This ensures maximum visibility of what’s happening.

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Command-Line Tools

For CLI tools that need arguments: 
set passarguments=1
set autoclosecmd=0
Keep window open so users can see the results.

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Automated Scripts

For scripts run by Task Scheduler: 
set minimizedcmd=1
set autoclosecmd=1
set alertifpynotinstalled=0
Assume Python is installed and run silently.