# Tech HUD Starter

Version: 1.0.1  
tech-hud-starter is a lightweight, custom-drawn GTK3 command runner and HUD utility written in Vala and rendered with Cairo. It provides a sleek, futuristic interface designed for quick command execution, automated command repetition, and deep desktop integration.

## Key Features

* Interactive Command Center: Type any shell command or system action and press Enter to execute it instantly. Supports command chaining with semicolons (;) and the clear command to reset the output buffer.
* Persistent Command History & Editor: Browse through previously executed commands using the Up and Down arrow keys. Access the Options menu to open the Edit History dialog, allowing you to view, copy, paste, and modify the entire command history (history.txt) with automatic duplicate filtering.
* Automated Repeat Timer & Live Countdown: Set a command to re-run automatically at custom intervals (1 to 3600 seconds) with a real-time visual countdown indicator.
* 20 Built-in Color Themes: Easily switch between high-tech palettes including Cyber Cyan, Matrix Emerald, Amber Terminal, Crimson Alert, Deep Space Violet, Electric Indigo, Solar Gold, and more via the Options menu.
* 9 Unique Border Styles: Customize the window frame aesthetics, ranging from classic HUD boxes and top-notch headers to slanted vents, armored hexagons, and tall dual gills.
* Advanced Window Management:
  * Layers & Hints: Configure window behavior as Normal, Utility, or Dock, and set window stacking layers to Keep Above or Keep Below (Wallpaper mode).
  * Position & Size Persistence: Automatically saves window coordinates, width, and height.
  * Adjustable Opacity & UI Scaling: Fine-tune window transparency and scale the interface dynamically from 0.5x to 2.5x.

## Requirements

To compile and run tech-hud-starter, ensure you have the following packages installed:
* Vala compiler (valac)
* GTK+ 3 development libraries (libgtk-3-dev)
* Cairo and Pango development packages

On Debian/Ubuntu/Linux Mint, you can install them via:
sudo apt install valac libgtk-3-dev libglib2.0-dev libcairo2-dev libpango1.0-dev

## Build & Installation

Clone or open the project directory and compile using make:
make

Alternatively, you can compile manually with:
valac --pkg gtk+-3.0 --pkg cairo --pkg pangocairo --pkg gio-2.0 src/tech-hud-starter.vala -o tech-hud-starter

## Configuration

The application stores its configuration and history files locally:
* Config File: ~/.config/tech_hud/config.conf
* History File: ~/.config/tech_hud/history.txt

## Keyboard Shortcuts
* Enter: Execute typed command.
* Up / Down Arrows: Navigate command history.
* Escape: Quit application.