AutoHotKey script for control Telegram Desktop on Windows 11 by vim-like keys

tg.ahk

/*
==============================================================================
tg.ahk - Vim-style Modal Navigation for Telegram Desktop
==============================================================================

A Vim-inspired modal navigation system for Telegram Desktop that provides
keyboard-only navigation through topic groups, topics, and messages.

OVERVIEW:
This script implements a dual-mode system (Insert/Normal) similar to Vim,
allowing efficient keyboard navigation within Telegram Desktop without
interfering with regular typing.

MODES:
- INSERT MODE: Default state, all keys work normally for typing
- NORMAL MODE: Navigation mode with three sub-modes:
  1. Topic Groups - Navigate between different chat groups
  2. Topics - Navigate between individual chats/channels  
  3. Messages - Navigate through message history

KEY BINDINGS:
Mode Switching:
- Ctrl+[ : Enter Normal mode (starts in Messages sub-mode)
- Escape : Exit to Insert mode (or pass through if already in Insert)
- i : Enter Insert mode from Normal mode
- kj : Quick sequence to exit Normal mode (Vim-style)

Navigation (Normal mode only):
- h : Previous sub-mode (Topic Groups ← Topics ← Messages)
- l : Next sub-mode (Topic Groups → Topics → Messages)
- k : Navigate up/previous in current sub-mode
- j : Navigate down/next in current sub-mode

Sub-mode Actions:
Topic Groups (1): k/j = Ctrl+Shift+Up/Down (navigate chat groups)
Topics (2): k/j = Ctrl+Shift+Tab/Ctrl+Tab (switch between chats)
Messages (3): k/j = Ctrl+Up/Down (navigate message history)

AUTO-FEATURES:
- Automatic first topic activation when switching to Topics mode
- Visual notifications showing current mode and sub-mode

REQUIREMENTS:
- AutoHotkey v1
- Telegram Desktop (ahk_exe Telegram.exe)
- Windows (tested on Windows 11)

USAGE:
1. Run the script while Telegram Desktop is open
2. Use Ctrl+[ to enter Normal mode for navigation
3. Use h/l to switch between navigation contexts
4. Use k/j to navigate within the current context
5. Press i or kj to return to Insert mode for typing

The script only activates when Telegram Desktop window is focused,
ensuring it doesn't interfere with other applications.

==============================================================================
*/

#SingleInstance force
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%

; Global variables for mode management
VimMode := "insert"  ; insert, normal
NormalSubMode := 1   ; 1=topic_groups, 2=topics, 3=messages
SubModeNames := ["Topic Groups", "Topics", "Messages"]

; Helper function to show mode notification
ShowModeNotification(mode, submode := "") {
    if (mode = "insert") {
        ToolTip, [INSERT MODE], 0, 0
    } else if (mode = "normal") {
        submodeText := SubModeNames[submode]
        ToolTip, [NORMAL - %submodeText%], 0, 0
    }
    ; Auto-remove tooltip after 1.5 seconds
    SetTimer, RemoveToolTip, 1500
}

; Timer function to remove tooltip
RemoveToolTip:
    ToolTip
    SetTimer, RemoveToolTip, Off
return

; Function to activate first topic with visual feedback
ActivateFirstTopic() {
    ; Show visual feedback where we're clicking
    ToolTip, [AUTO-CLICK], 120, 100
    SetTimer, RemoveClickTooltip, 800
    
    ; Perform the click
    Click, 140, 140
}

; Initialize in insert mode (no notification on startup)
; User will see notification only when switching modes

; Telegram Desktop window detection
#IfWinActive, ahk_exe Telegram.exe

; Mode switching hotkeys - work in any mode
; Enter normal mode
^[::  ; Ctrl + [
    VimMode := "normal"
    NormalSubMode := 3  ; Start with messages navigation
    ShowModeNotification("normal", NormalSubMode)
return

Escape::
    if (VimMode = "normal") {
        VimMode := "insert"
        ShowModeNotification("insert")
    } else {
        Send, {Escape}  ; Pass through if in insert mode
    }
return

; k key handler - navigation and kj sequence detection
k::
    if (VimMode = "insert") {
        Send, {k}
        return
    }
    
    ; In normal mode: set ktime for kj sequence and handle navigation
    ktime := A_TickCount
    
    ; Navigation in normal mode
    if (NormalSubMode = 1) {
        ; Topic Groups: k = Ctrl + Shift + Up
        Send, ^+{Up}
    } else if (NormalSubMode = 2) {
        ; Topics: k = Ctrl + Shift + Tab
        Send, ^+{Tab}
    } else if (NormalSubMode = 3) {
        ; Messages: k = Ctrl + Up
        Send, ^{Up}
    }
return

j::
    currentTime := A_TickCount
    
    if (VimMode = "insert") {
        Send, j
        return
    }
    
    ; Check for kj sequence in normal mode
    timeDiff := currentTime - kTime
    if (timeDiff <= 100) {
        VimMode := "insert"
        ShowModeNotification("insert")
        kTime := 0
        return
    }
    
    ; Regular j navigation in normal mode
    if (VimMode = "normal") {
        if (NormalSubMode = 1) {
            ; Topic Groups: j = Ctrl + Shift + Down
            Send, ^+{Down}
        } else if (NormalSubMode = 2) {
            ; Topics: j = Ctrl + Tab
            Send, ^{Tab}
        } else if (NormalSubMode = 3) {
            ; Messages: j = Ctrl + Down
            Send, ^{Down}
        }
    }
return

; Enter insert mode
i::
    if (VimMode = "normal") {
        VimMode := "insert"
        ShowModeNotification("insert")
    } else {
        Send, {i}  ; Pass through if already in insert mode
    }
return


; Sub-mode switching in normal mode
h::
    if (VimMode = "normal") {
        ; Previous sub-mode (cycle backwards)
        NormalSubMode := NormalSubMode - 1
        if (NormalSubMode < 1) {
            NormalSubMode := 3  ; Wrap to last mode
        }
        ShowModeNotification("normal", NormalSubMode)
        
        ; Auto-click when switching to Topics mode (submode 2)
        if (NormalSubMode = 2) {
            ActivateFirstTopic()
        }
    } else {
        Send, {h}  ; Pass through if in insert mode
    }
return

l::
    if (VimMode = "normal") {
        ; Next sub-mode (cycle forwards)
        NormalSubMode := NormalSubMode + 1
        if (NormalSubMode > 3) {
            NormalSubMode := 1  ; Wrap to first mode
        }
        ShowModeNotification("normal", NormalSubMode)
        
        ; Auto-click when switching to Topics mode (submode 2)
        if (NormalSubMode = 2) {
            ActivateFirstTopic()
        }
    } else {
        Send, {l}  ; Pass through if in insert mode
    }
return

#If  ; End of Telegram-specific hotkeys

RemoveClickTooltip:
    ToolTip
    SetTimer, RemoveClickTooltip, Off
return