AHK News: Now that’s a name to remember❗

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Howdy %Name%,

You might be aware that we’re working on a new AutoHotkey editor that will be simple enough for beginners to use it yet powerful enough where people like Isaias will still work with it.

You may not be aware of it but I have a masters in Market Research (and my Undergraduate degree is in Marketing).   I’ve also been studying copywriting for many years and can tell you that the name of your project can make or break its success.

During a Hero call a few weeks back, I ran a quiz a few weeks back and there were a few front runners.    One that I liked was “Ahk Script Maker“.

It’s clear, to the point and helps beginners understand the usage (many don’t know what an “editor” is)

But it wasn’t “jumping out” for me.

I wanted something that would not only get attention but would get people “excited”.

I put on my thinking cap and came up with:

Optimized Rapid Generation – Ahk Script Maker

I do think it will appeal to both Noobs and Advanced users.

Yes, it is a mouthful.

But I think the name will catch on.   Perhaps we’ll just come up with an acronym…

Yes, I think an Acronym would definitely help with the marketing angle.

To prove my point here are a few introductory statements we might try:

  • Would you be interested in getting ORGASM?
  • We guarantee, once you try ORGASM, you’ll be hooked❗
  • Experience productivity like never before. Get your ORGASM today
  • Your productivity climax starts here; try ORGASM now!
  • Skip the foreplay and go straight to results with ORGASM.

Don’t worry.   I haven’t (entirely) lost my mind.

I’ll keep it “safe” and go with Ahk Script Maker

But you have to admit, it would get attention❗

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

convinceComputer

Configure Claude Code for VS Code

During an AHK hero call Ray asked about configuring Claude code for VS Code.

Isaias gave us a great walk-through which I extracted in this video.

If you’re not using VS Code, but you want to “level-up” you really should check out our Intro to VS Code course!

Claude Code for VS Code
Claude Code for VS Code

Remember, all of our courses come with a Double Your Money Back guarantee so you have NOTHING to lose!

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


Learning to Filter is a Game Changer!

We’ve discussed how important it is to bind your scripts to programs in the past.

Learning this simple approach will level you up faster than you’d believe!  Here’s a great video explaining how it will rock your world!

Improve your Automation skills by Learning to Filter
Improve your Automation skills by Learning to Filter


Packing Up Your Script

If you’re like me and using AI a lot, then you know how annoying it can be to provide your entire script to AI when there are a bunch of #Includes.

When I used to code with AHK Studio, I used a “pack up” function to push all of the code to the clipboard.  It was a game changer, so we created this script to do this for us.

You can check it out in this video.

Easily pack up your script
Easily pack up your script


Improving People’s Lives: Story #67

We had a client call this week with someone that had to “disable ~30,000 SKUs” manually!

Irfan was able to use Rufaydium to get the cookies and then make the changes using API calls.

What would have taken hundreds of hours, now takes 1 minute to start and then runs automatically


What we’re reading


AI News that you Need to Know


⚡️Productivity tips:

In many IDEs / Editors Ctrl+Space Can be used to trigger a suggestion


A spot of Humor:

I still enjoy listening to Dean Martin sing.   Here’s a fun clip I recently watched

Dean Martin, Buddy Ebsen, Lee J. Cobb, Charles Nelson Reilly & Jackie Vernon
Dean Martin, Buddy Ebsen, Lee J. Cobb, Charles Nelson Reilly & Jackie Vernon


What we utomated this week with AutoHotkey #106

This week we knocked out some seriously cool stuff!

In this video my son Jon and I walk you through our email automation system that pulls from spreadsheets, some slick video processing tools that work with VLC, and a sneak peek at our custom AutoHotkey editor that’s almost ready to ship❗

What We Automated with AutoHotKey #106
What We Automated with AutoHotKey #106


Clients say…

Thanks for all your help Joe.  Folks are already excited about getting  these updated. — Ron S.


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 475 hours of recordings teaching AutoHotkey that is exclusive to AHK Hero members❗

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

  • Help AHK Hero Members with their Questions & Code
  • Using SendMessage to automate Listviews
  • After using a Win command, what you DON’T need to provide
  • Using POSIX in your RegEx
  • Replacing / changing variable names in editors vs an IDE like VS Code
  • Copying specific files from sub-folders
  • Demonstrating resource drain during debug mode
  • Modularizing your code: Tips & Tricks
  • Adding tooltips on disabled buttons

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


️ Quotable quotes

  • Underutilization ➡️ Lack of perceived value ➡️ Churn — Ryan Wells
  • If you won’t believe in yourself, who will❓ — Joe Glines
  • The best way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing — Walt Disney
  • Work hard, Be honest, Be kind — Buckin’ Billy Ray Smith

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

Joe, Isaias, Irfan and staff


P.S. Hopefully I didn’t offend you on the intro.  Our editor is coming along nicely.

Currently our plan is to have a “intro” version (without tools) and an advanced version which comes with a lot of “must have” tools (some of which will be AI driven.)

This advanced version will require a subscription.

AHK News 2025-09-04 Why Not Ready Yet Is Killing Your Projects

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Howdy %Name%,

A lot of people spend a crazy amount of time working on their scripts and never sharing them with anyone.

They convince themselves their script will be enormously popular and keep waiting for it to be “perfect“.

If you’re one of these people the following should be printed out and hung on your wall

Version One is infinitely better than Version None

I like the saying so much I just ordered a new sign!

Metal sign with red top reading Version None in white and white bottom reading Version One in green, with mounting holes at top and bottom

And, did you know, that being first, in the mind of customers, is far more important than being best!

So start moving forward and get some feedback TODAY❗

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

quickerFixer


Tips & Tricks: Learn to Program in AHK v2

In this AHK Hero extract Isaias and I built a new class for handling processes.

We live-coded how to suspend, resume, and toggle processes using PIDs.

We also touched on why classes beat functions, how AI helps spark ideas, and the possibility of turning this into a tool for everyone.  Check it out in this video.

Learning To Program in AHK v2 – Amazing lesson from an AHK Hero Extract
Learning To Program in AHK v2 - Amazing lesson from an AHK Hero Extract


Using AI to Rename Files

In this video, I show how I’m using AI to make renaming files effortless. I walk through a tool that handles the messy parts and explain how AI makes automation and data processing a lot easier!

Smart File Renamer- AI Is my SuperPower!
Smart File Renamer- AI Is my SuperPower!


Streamlining Reporting Errors to AI

We’ve made a few changes to Error Catcher since I recorded this video however it still gives you the “gist” of it.   The more I use AI to write code, the more helpful scripts like this become!

Simplify Reporting Errors to AI
Simplify Reporting Errors to AI


Creating Bookmarks in VS Code

This AHK Hero Extract Isaias shows us how easy it is to add bookmarks in VS Code.  If you’re new to VS code, our Intro to VS Code course is a great place to get you going!

Adding Bookmarks in your VS code Map for Easy Navigation – AHK Hero Extract
Adding Bookmarks in your VS code Map for Easy Navigation - AHK Hero Extract

Don’t forget it, like all our courses, come with a Double Your Money Back Guarantee!

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


Improving People’s Lives: Story #61

My son, Jon, started college last month and, to earn spending money, is working with us.

To start off he’s learning how to edit our videos (and has been doing a great job!).

Unfortunately, I need to be there while editing the ‘What We Automated with AHK’ videos, since Jon isn’t yet familiar with all the tools I mention.

It got me to re-think how we could streamline that process!

Thankfully we came up with a new approach which should, automatically, add the URLs to the screen  during recording thus I will not have to be there during editing.  


What we’re reading


AI / Chat GPT-3 News / Usage


⚡️Productivity tips:  Do what is hard!

Don’t wait for inspiration; Take Action❗

Napoleon Hill: Do What Is Hard
Napolean Hill: Do What Is Hard


A spot of Humor:

Harrison Ford tells another great joke

Harrison Ford Tells The 2nd GREATEST Joke of All Time!
Harrison Ford Tells The 2nd GREATEST Joke of All Time!


What we utomated this week with AutoHotkey #100

In our 100th video, Isaias and I looked back at how we’ve been using AutoHotkey to solve client problems, build powerful tools, and cut down on errors in everyday work.

We showed how we tackle tricky UI automation and non-standard controls, and talked about connecting with external systems like Stripe to streamline invoicing and payments.

We also walked through tools we’ve created—like the Clipboard Formatter, Time tracking scripts, and the Effortless Video Reducer—that all came from real needs and have grown through testing and feedback.

Hitting this milestone gave us a chance to celebrate what we’ve built, highlight the importance of community input, and share our excitement about future automation projects, especially where AI and machine learning can push things even further.

What we Automated with AutoHotKey #100
What we Automated with AutoHotKey #100


Clients say…

Thanks to Joe Glines and all his guests, I am now able to automate boring tasks, “if only my mower could respond to AutoHotkey”. — Claude Paga


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 457 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 a 3 hours a week where we help people with their AHK issues (the Saturday calls are geared towards people new to AutoHotkey.)


️ Quotable quotes

  • Whatever Your Mind Can Conceive and Believe, It Can Achieve — Napoleon Hill
  • Whatever Your Mind Can Conceive and Believe; We can create it for you! — Joe Glines
  • In God We Trust; (All others must provide data)

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

Joe, Isaias, Irfan and staff


P.S. The intro is super important!  If you’d like some professional feedback on your script, you know how to reach us!

 

AutoHotkey News 2025-05-08 I finally found someone smarter than Isaias

Howdy %First_Name%,

AutoHotkey Newsletter

Anyone that has watched one of our YouTube videos, or taken one of our courses, can tell that Isaias, our lead developer & trainer, is very smart.

But I found someone smarter!

Not only smarter but he’s a better coder too!

Who is it you ask?

It’s Isaias and I (working together)

To be fair, it could also have been Isaias and anyone else on our team.

Or even Isaias and anyone from the AHK hero group.

What we’ve realized is the interaction between people (and sometimes with AI) is always better than anyone on their own.

We just “think differently” when talking to others.

It’s one of the fundamental reasons we created the AHK Hero group.

Working through problems with other people always leads to more options / answers.

Our Hero program is perfect for it but, if that’s not your thing, be sure you find someone to bounce ideas off of.

Trust me, it will help you more than you realize!

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

WhatCould-possibly-go-wrong

So true… This is one of the main reasons people hire us to automate their tasks.


Amazingly Easy Way to fix timing issues on your Script

Are you having timing issues with your AutoHotkey script?  If so, check out this video where we walkthrough how you can use SetWinDelay to adjust the timing of all but two of the 48 WinFunctions.

How to Adjust timing for many AutoHotkey Win Functions
How to Adjust timing for many AutoHotkey Win Functions


How to Compile AutoHotkey v2 scripts

A subscriber watched our video on how to compale v1 scripts but wanted to know about AHK v2.  We created this video which walks through the basics AND Advanced settings for compiling your scripts.

How to Compile AutoHotkey v2 Scripts
How to Compile AutoHotkey v2 Scripts


⚕️Doctors need to see this Video on AI & Reporting❗

I’ve been subscribed to MedCram since early Covid.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this video where they walk through how they’re using AI (and share their prompts)

Artificial Intelligence Leveraged to Write Medical Documentation in Seconds Saving Hours
Artificial Intelligence Leveraged to Write Medical Documentation in Seconds Saving Hours

If you’re a doctor (or play one on TV) remember we create custom AI tools to help you work smarter, not harder.

You can check my calendar here and book a call


Ever wonder what actually is happening from the Sleep command?

I mention fairly regularly that I’m not a programmer and have zero interest in being one.

Having said that I know an awful-lot about programming but had never “dug into” what the computer does when you run the “sleep” command.

This video goes deeper than I’d ever want to know but figured I’d pass it along for those of you that are curious.

What Happens When a Program Calls Sleeps?
What Happens When a Program Calls Sleeps?


Understanding what the < > do in #Includes

During an AHK Hero call I asked Isaias to explain what the Less than “<” and Greater than “>” characters do when you refer to them with the #Include directive.

As usual he did a bang-up job!  Check it out in this video!

Understanding Ways to Include files in AutoHotkey v2 – AHK Hero Extract

Understanding Ways to Include files in AutoHotkey v2 - AHK Hero Extract


Improving People’s Lives: Story #47

One of our clients has a very-complicated licensing model.   Their software has over twenty “automations”, each one representing a separate automation that they sell for thousands of dollars.

They sell “combinations of automations” at different prices (for instance buy any 5 automation for $1,200 per automation, buy any 10 automations for $1,000 each or buy all 22 for $700 each.

And, for each sale, we need to keep track of which automations they purchased.

Thankfully, our new hire Denilson, has PHP experience so we created our own API Endpoint so our scripts can easily check / validate licensing.

Now we’ll be able to let the customers provide their email address and order number and check what licenses they have paid for!


What we’re reading


AI / Chat GPT-3 News / Usage


⚡️Productivity tips:  Jump to a line!

Quickly jump to a line by hitting Control+G in most editors


A spot of Humor: Hilarious Cat Story

This is a laugh-out-loud story!  It sounds like a “Three’s company” episode.

Here’s my cat joke from a million years ago
Here’s my cat joke from a million years ago lol #nationalpetday #standupcomedy #shorts #cat


What we utomated this week with AutoHotkey #85

This week I show 130 AutoHotkey scripts we worked on in this episode of what we Automated this week with AutoHotkey.

What we Automated with AutoHotkey #85
What we Automated with AutoHotkey #85


Client’s say…

“I appreciate all the work you guys are doing for me!  I look forward to it and it keeps me excited about my work — otherwise I would likely get bored or burned out or both.” — Danny H. (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 411 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:

  • Help AHK Hero Members with their Questions & Code
  • Functions: Using Lambdas (Anonymous Functions) / FatArrows in v2
  • When the Order of #Includes Matter
  • Work through Merge Similar Files script
  • Sharing one patch to multiple / different repositories
  • Best Practices for Function Naming and Structure

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


️ Quotable quotes

  • If every request is a five alarm fire, it’s your house that’s gonna go up in flames — Amy Landino
  • Learn a HotKey a day to keep inefficiency away! — Joe Glines
  • What gets measured gets improved

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

Joe, Isaias, Irfan, Rizwan, Denilson and staff


P.S. The intro to this newsletter very well may be self-serving however it is also 100% the truth!  Most weeks Isaias will get stuck on something and ask for my “help”.  Even though he’s Far more advanced than I am, when he explains the problem to me we always find a solution.

I’d say 70% of the time he solves it himself while explaining it to me but, had he not been talking to me, he would not have gotten to the solution on his own.

The “Rubber Duck” method can help, but interacting with another person is best!