CoolTerm Marcos using AutoHotKey

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While CoolTerm doesn't currently support automation on platforms other than the Mac (using AppleScript), Windows users have a very handy and free automation environment at their disposal with https://www.autohotkey.com/.

An often requested feature for CoolTerm is the addition of transmit marcros allowing the user to send predefined strings of text via the click of a button or the press of a key on the keyboard. AutoHotKey supports this functionality very nicely, and its scripting language is very easy to learn. Here are a few examples of how CoolTerm can be automated with AutoHotKey:

Keyboard Macros:
The simplest way to send predefined text with CoolTerm is to use AutoHotKey to re-map certain keys on the keyboard. Here is an example:

Code: Select all

#IfWinActive, ahk_exe CoolTerm.exe

1::Send Macro Text 1
2::Send Macro Text 2
3::Send Macro Text 3

0::ExitApp

The script above repurposes the numeric keys 1 through 3 to send a certain text sequence. For example, when the "1" key is pressed on the keyboard, this script will send the keystrokes for "Macro Text 1" instread. The line #IfWinActive, ahk_exe CoolTerm.exe ensures that remapping only occurs when CoolTerm is the active application. In addition to mapping numeric keys 1 through 3, the script also remaps key 0 to terminate the script to provide an easy way to stop the script if needed.

GUI Macro Buttons:
For those who prefer a window with buttons to trigger certain transmit macros, AutoHotKey offers a solution as well:

Code: Select all

Gui, New, +AlwaysOnTop, CoolTerm Macros
Gui, Add, Button, gM1, Macro Button 1
Gui, Add, Button, gM2, Macro Button 2
Gui, Add, Button, gM3, Macro Button 3
Gui, Show
return

M1:
WinActivate, ahk_exe CoolTerm.exe
   send Macro Text 1
return

M2:
WinActivate, ahk_exe CoolTerm.exe
   send Macro Text 2
return

M3:
WinActivate, ahk_exe CoolTerm.exe
   send Macro Text 2
return

GuiClose:
ExitApp

The script above creates a window with 3 push buttons, each of which tied to a different macro. Pressing any of the 3 buttons will first bring CoolTerm to the forground and then send the specified macro text. Closing the window with the buttons will terminate the script.

AHK_GUI.png

For more information on how to use AutoHotKey, refer to the documentation here: https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/AutoHotkey.htm