AHK News 2026-03-19 Do you suffer from this Disorder❓

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Howdy %Name%,

There’s a common disease among Programmers and Entrepreneurs.

It shows up a lot in the AutoHotkey world.

It often disguises itself as “clean code” or “better architecture.”

(If you struggle with this, review the different roles you should be thinking in while coding)

But most of the time…

It’s just avoidance.

I call it:

Perpetual Optimization Disorder

Here’s how it usually shows up:

You don’t release the script because it’s “not quite ready”

You refactor the function… again.

You rewrite the GUI instead of testing it.

You spend hours reorganizing your libraries.

You tell yourself that one more improvement will make it “good enough” to share.

Meanwhile someone else — with a much messier script — has already posted theirs on GitHub or the AHK forum…

And people are using it❗

📌 TODAY’S TAKEAWAY

Perfect code that never ships helps no one  

Not you.
Not other programmers.
Not the people that could be saving time using it.  (This is exactly what we fix with our students—getting your scripts usable fast)

Six weeks of polishing = six weeks of zero feedback

Someone else shared their tool, learned what people actually needed, and improved theirs.

The standard for “good enough” is simple:

  • It solves a real problem
  • It is (mostly) reliable
  • Someone else can use it

Everything else is nice to have.

  1. Scripts get better after people use them.
    Real-world usage reveals problems you’ll never discover on your own.

Bottom Line

If your script isn’t shared, it isn’t improving.

And if it isn’t improving…

Someone else’s script is. ❗

If you want help working out those last little tweaks, book time on my calendar and we’ll get you launched in no-time!

Now on with the show…

Learn how to Master VSCode Make the switch to v2 Intro to AutoHotkey Intermediate AutoHotkey Intermediate ObjectsGUIs are Easy w/AutoHotkey Access all our Courses; Quit when you want

JustGoogledScript

Stop Hiring Einstein to do your laundry 👕

Are you burning through AI tokens faster than free samples at Costco on a Saturday?

Matching the model to the task could be a great way to save you both time and money. 

In this video I showed Hero members how they can get help deciding which model is right for their task.

💰 Save Money on AI Models: The Smart Way to Choose the Right One | AHK Hero Extract
💰 Save Money on AI Models: The Smart Way to Choose the Right One | AHK Hero Extract


Reduce Token Usage by 97%

Alternatively you could also consider using Jcode Munch to reduce your token usage.

Irfan walks through using it in this video.  It’s a lot easier to use than you think!

It trims unnecessary tokens from your prompts before sending them to AI

🤖 AI Tool Cuts Token Usage by 97% – Save THOUSANDS on Claude! 💰|AHK Hero Extract
🤖 AI Tool Cuts Token Usage by 97% - Save THOUSANDS on Claude! 💰|AHK Hero Extract


Creating Mockups of GUIs

Speaking of making things easy; in this video I show how you can take a GUI created from AI, Moqups, or just a screen shot and break it down into “Layers” with Canvas Magic Layers.

Stop Coding GUIs by Hand – Use This Magic Layer Trick ✨
Stop Coding GUIs by Hand - Use This Magic Layer Trick ✨

Don’t forget if you want to build the GUI yourself, our Intro to GUIs course is a great place to start❗


Improving People’s Lives: Story #87

While in Las Vegas, I had lunch with my stepsister and niece.  Both were mentioning they wanted to learn more about how AI could help them.  

I introduced them to NotebookLM and showed them how they can quickly learn any topic through a Video, Podcast or Infographics.  

BTW- I noticed videos recently had an upgrade.  Check out this one that I created discussing how many businesses make huge mistakes when creating a Lead Magnet.

💸Companies Waste Millions on Content That Never Converts
💸Companies Waste Millions on Content That Never Converts

They were stoked!


📚 What we’re reading


🤖 AI News that you Need to Know

Build Self-Improving Claude Code Skills. The Results Are Crazy.

Build Self-Improving Claude Code Skills. The Results Are Crazy.


⚡️Productivity tips:  

Niek, an AHK Hero member mentioned how he gets some of his best ideas while showering. 

I told him that I’ve had the same experience for years!  

The point is not to “shower more” (well maybe it applies 😆) but find some “down time” when you can let your subconscious solve your problems for you!


🤣 A spot of Humor:

This was a show I watched on Saturday mornings when i was a kid. Wow they were hurting for content!

Run, Joe, Run
Run, Joe, Run - Season One

Today it has a different meaning for me


What we 🅰utomated this week with AutoHotkey #126

This week was packed!  😁

We updated AHK Script Maker with code folding and a slick right-click option to convert V1 scripts to V2.

We also leveled up Automate My Task, played with AI-powered MySQL queries in plain English, and automated OBS webcam positioning.

In this week’s video I walk you through all of it, including why I think AI tools are basically the best employees money can buy.

What we automated with AutoHotkey #126
What we automated with AutoHotkey #126


Clients say…

I’m astonished at what we’ve done! — Michael N. (Radiologist)


Cartoon superhero mascot in green costume beside the bold text AHK Hero on a yellow background AHK Hero 🦸

Consider joining the 🦸AHK Hero club! Members receive 25% off courses, consultations, tutoring, done for you project work, etc.    Currently we have over 536 hours of recordings teaching AutoHotkey that is exclusive to AHK Hero members❗

That’s a lot of AHK Learning!

During this Friday’s call we’re planning to discuss:

They also have access to exclusive & pre-released content and 3 hours a week where we help people with their AHK issues (the Saturday calls are geared towards people new to AutoHotkey.)


🗣️ 💭 Quotable quotes

  • Amazing things get done when you don’t care who gets the credit — Joe Glines
  • The thing most people like least is a mirror — Dan Kennedy
  • You’re like a dull knife that just ain’t cutting. You’re talking loud and saying nothing — James Brown

AHK Newsletter⏩SHARE WITH A FRIEND⏩

Do you know someone that would benefit from learning useful automation tips like the gems in today’s issue?  Take a second and forward this newsletter and bask in the glow of their undying gratitude.  Was this email forwarded to you?

Sign up for this Newsletter here.  We never share your email with anyone.  Ever!


the-Automator  Dedicated to Multiplying your Income

Joe, Isaias, Irfan and staff


P.S. One of my favorite sayings is

Version One is infinitely better than Version None

If you need help launching, or just a kick in the butt, by all means we can help!

 

AHK News 2026-03-12 AI Takes a Coffee Break❗☕

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Howdy %Name%,

The other day Claude was offline for a couple of hours.

That’s when I realized just how dependent I’ve become on AI for coding.Claude takes a cofee break

I joked that “we’ve been sold a lie:  AI does take coffee breaks❗”

So much so I finally switched to the $100 a month Max plan (you get 5X the normal usage) but now I’m thinking I will switch to the $200 a month plan (you get 20X normal usage).

This last week I used Claude’s Sonnet & Opus to build incredible tools!

I realized that spending it on AI is money well spent because, like AutoHotkey, AI is a multiplier of productivity. 

My time is worth money and it makes sense for me to spend to have the smartest coding model at my disposal and stop wasting time with the other models.

How about you❓   Are you relying on it now more than ever❓

Join the AHK Hero club and see how other automation nerds are using AI to save time and money!

Now on with the show…

Learn how to Master VSCode Make the switch to v2 Intro to AutoHotkey Intermediate AutoHotkey Intermediate ObjectsGUIs are Easy w/AutoHotkey Access all our Courses; Quit when you want

ahkScriptworked

 

Progressive Web Apps are a Total Game Changer

A few weeks back Ryan Wells joined our Hero call and shared how he’s created an amazing “app” without spending a lot of time and money.  

He created a PWA (Progressive Web App) that makes it super easy to collect videos from clients.

You can learn more about the capabilities of PWAs here

📲 Starbucks DOUBLED Users With This App Secret (Not What You Think)
📲 Starbucks DOUBLED Users With This App Secret (Not What You Think)


Add Icons & Labels to your “Fake” drives

It took some work but we updated our Virtual Drive Creator to now let you add icons and labels to your virtual drives. 
If you’re accessing files/folders frequently, save a ton of time by creating a virtual drive and then it is just a click away!  Check it out in this video.

⚡ Windows Drive Labeling Glitch Finally Explained by Developers! | AHK Hero Extract
⚡ Windows Drive Labeling Glitch Finally Explained by Developers! | AHK Hero Extract


Super Secure way to Track your Stock Portfolio

Are you as paranoid as I am about logging into your portfolio❓

I realized, as long as I know the tickers and # of stocks, I don’t actually need to login, I can just pull them with this simple tool.  You can check out how it works in this video.

🛡️ This Simple Tool Tracks Your Stocks WITHOUT Security Risk! | AHK Hero Extract
🛡️ This Simple Tool Tracks Your Stocks WITHOUT Security Risk! | AHK Hero Extract


Speed up Windows Explorer

I was reading an article and realized this simple trick to speed up accessing folders that have lots of files.   Total game changer!  You can get Speed Up Explorer here.

🚀 This Windows 11 Explorer Hack Made My PC INSANELY Fast! | AHK Hero Extract
🚀 This Windows 11 Explorer Hack Made My PC INSANELY Fast! | AHK Hero Extract


Converting Functions to Classes

If you’re not using AHK Functions, you should be!  (We go deep on Functions in Intro to AHK)

If you are using Functions but not Classes, you should be!   Classes are the next logical step for you.

In this video Irfan walks through converting Functions to Classes in AutoHotkey.

🔧 Converting Functions to Classes LIVE – AI vs Manual Coding Challenge! |AHK Hero Extract
🔧 Converting Functions to Classes LIVE - AI vs Manual Coding Challenge! |AHK Hero Extract

Don’t forget, our AHK Courses come with a 200% money back guarantee ❗

200% Money Back Guarantee badge with a yellow and green starburst seal for AHK courses


Improving People’s Lives: Story #85

I’m out here in Las Vegas kicking it with my 85 year old father. 

He had a Doctor’s visit scheduled and we needed to fill in forms. 

I had him come to my computer where I automated much of the form completion.

How they would expect an 85 year old to do this stuff is beyond me!


📚 What we’re reading


🤖 AI News that you Need to Know


⚡️Productivity tips:  

In MS Excel you can create a chart by hitting F11


🤣 A spot of Humor:   This would be funny if it wasn’t so true

Developer VS Tester 

Developer VS Tester | Developers Memes | Testers Memes | Developers fun | Tester Fun | War | Funny


What we 🅰utomated this week with AutoHotkey #127

This week was a big one❗

I updated over 300 files and imroved a ton of tools.

In this video I walk you through updates to the Snipping Tool, a redesigned Automate My Task with a slick new wizard🧙♂️.

I also show the YouTube Downloader, and why ASM Script Maker Pro is packed with way more than you’d expect.

What we Automated with AutoHotkey #125
What we Automated with AutoHotkey #125


Clients say…

There’s no way I could have accomplished what we’ve done without your support! — Stephanie Holland


Cartoon superhero mascot in green costume beside the bold text AHK Hero on a yellow background AHK Hero 🦸

Consider joining the 🦸AHK Hero club! Members receive 25% off courses, consultations, tutoring, done for you project work, etc.    Currently we have over 533 hours of recordings teaching AutoHotkey that is exclusive to AHK Hero members❗

You can watch 1 hour a day for a year and not repeat content! That’s a lot of AHK Learning!

During this Friday’s call we’re planning to discuss:

They also have access to exclusive & pre-released content and 3 hours a week where we help people with their AHK issues (the Saturday calls are geared towards people new to AutoHotkey.)


🗣️ 💭 Quotable quotes

  • The amateur does not know what to do. The master knows what not to do — James Cleary
  • Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way — Abraham Lincoln
  • History is just new people making old mistakes — Sigmund Freud

AHK Newsletter⏩SHARE WITH A FRIEND⏩

Do you know someone that would benefit from learning useful automation tips like the gems in today’s issue?  Take a second and forward this newsletter and bask in the glow of their undying gratitude.  Was this email forwarded to you?

Sign up for this Newsletter here.  We never share your email with anyone.  Ever!


the-Automator  Dedicated to Multiplying your Income

Joe, Isaias, Irfan and staff


P.S. The AHK Hero club is more about saving time than it is AutoHotkey. 

AI is becoming more of the conversation so, if you’re wanting to learn more about how you can use AI in your work, sign up for the $1.99 first month and check it out!

 

30 Command Line tools to Automate with AutoHotkey

30 Powerful Windows CLI Tools (Command-Line Parameter Support)

Great for building GUIs in AutoHotkey v2. Each links to an official/reliable Windows download source (often portable .exe or zip).

  1. mediainfo – Displays detailed technical and tag information about media files.
  2. mkvmerge (from MKVToolNix) – Muxes/demuxes video, audio, and subtitles into MKV containers.
  3. handbrakecli – Transcodes videos with advanced compression (HandBrake CLI).
  4. vlc – Plays/converts media files and streams in CLI mode.
  5. optipng – Optimizes PNG images losslessly.
  6. jpegoptim – Optimizes JPEG images (see also Windows builds on related repos or SourceForge ports).
  7. pngquant – Applies lossy compression to PNG images.
  8. gifsicle – Creates, edits, and optimizes GIF animations (Windows binaries often via eternallybored.org/misc/gifsicle).
  9. qpdf – Performs structural transformations on PDFs.
  10. mutool (from MuPDF) – Cleans, converts, and extracts from PDFs/XPS/Epub.
  11. pdftotext (from Poppler) – Extracts text from PDFs (Windows builds via third-party ports or Chocolatey).
  12. ebook-convert (from Calibre) – Converts between ebook formats like EPUB, MOBI, PDF.
  13. unoconv – Converts office documents using LibreOffice (requires LibreOffice installed).
  14. antiword – Extracts text from MS Word documents (older tool, ports available).
  15. catdoc – Extracts text from MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint (Windows ports via SourceForge or similar).
  16. mp3gain – Analyzes and adjusts MP3 volume without re-encoding.
  17. flac – Encodes/decodes FLAC lossless audio.
  18. opusenc – Encodes audio to Opus format.
  19. httpie – Sends HTTP requests with JSON support (CLI friendly, install via choco/scoop).
  20. axel – Accelerates downloads with multiple connections.
  21. lftp – Handles FTP, SFTP, HTTP transfers with mirroring (Windows ports available).
  22. nc (netcat) – Reads/writes data across networks (often via Nmap’s ncat or standalone ports).
  23. socat – Establishes bidirectional data transfers (Windows builds via ports).
  24. nmap – Scans networks and ports for security/auditing.
  25. tshark (Wireshark CLI) – Captures and analyzes network packets.
  26. dot (from Graphviz) – Renders graphs from DOT language descriptions.
  27. yq – Processes YAML, JSON, and XML data (Go version recommended for Windows).
  28. xmlstarlet – Queries, edits, and transforms XML (Windows binaries via ports or Chocolatey).
  29. csvkit – Manipulates and converts CSV files (Python-based, run via python -m csvkit… or install).
  30. miller (mlr) – Processes name-indexed data like CSV/JSON/TSV.

Tip: Many install easily via Chocolatey (choco install <name>), Scoop, or are fully portable. Let me know if you want AHK examples for any!