Protocol Launcher

One-click launch URL generator for protocol-based apps.

protocol-launcher helps you generate typed deep links and URL scheme links for desktop, mobile, productivity, AI, and developer tools. Use it to open apps, jump to files or projects, install MCP servers, import provider settings, and create safe one-click launch links for websites, docs, CLIs, and automation flows.

Why Protocol Launcher?

• Type-safe builders for supported protocol payloads.
• On-demand imports such as protocol-launcher/vscode and protocol-launcher/cherry-studio.
• Safe query-string and base64 payload encoding, including Unicode payloads.
• Broad protocol coverage across AI tools, editors, productivity apps, native macOS apps, and utilities.
• ESM-first output for Node.js and modern bundlers.
• Zero third-party runtime dependencies.

Installation

pnpm add protocol-launcher

npm install protocol-launcher

yarn add protocol-launcher

bun add protocol-launcher

Usage

On-Demand Import

Use direct subpath imports when you only need one app integration.

import { installMCP } from 'protocol-launcher/cursor'

const url = installMCP({
  name: 'server-everything',
  type: 'stdio',
  command: 'npx',
  args: ['-y', '@modelcontextprotocol/server-everything'],
  openInNewWindow: true,
})

import { installProvider } from 'protocol-launcher/cherry-studio'

const url = installProvider({
  id: 'new-api',
  baseUrl: 'https://open.cherryin.ai',
  apiKey: 'sk-xxxx',
})

import { openFile } from 'protocol-launcher/vscode'

const url = openFile({
  path: '/code/protocol-launcher/README.md',
  line: 1,
  column: 1,
})

Full Import

The root entry exports each protocol as a namespace.

import { cherryStudio, cursor, vscode } from 'protocol-launcher'

const settingsUrl = vscode.openSettings({
  path: 'terminal.integrated.suggest.enabled',
})

const folderUrl = cursor.openFolder({
  path: '/code/protocol-launcher',
})

const providerUrl = cherryStudio.installProvider({
  id: 'openai',
  baseUrl: 'https://api.openai.com/v1',
  apiKey: 'sk-xxxx',
})

Prefer subpath imports for production bundles when possible.

Popular Integrations

import { openThread } from 'protocol-launcher/codex'
import { installMCP } from 'protocol-launcher/cursor'
import { open } from 'protocol-launcher/telegram'
import { openSettings } from 'protocol-launcher/vscode'

Examples of supported app categories:

• AI and coding tools: antigravity, cherry-studio, code-buddy, codex, cursor, kiro, lingma, opencode, qoder, trae, vscode, windsurf, zed
• Editors and IDEs: bbedit, code-runner, goland, idea, macvim, nova, phpstorm, pycharm, rustrover, textastic, textmate, webstorm, xcode
• Productivity and notes: agenda, bear, craft, drafts, evernote, fsnotes, obsidian, things, todoist, trello, ulysses, working-copy
• Platform and utilities: app-store, apple-map, macos, microsoft-edge, shortcuts, steam, telegram, thunder, wemeet

See the documentation site for the full app list and exact API examples.

Docs

Full guides and examples: https://zhensherlock.github.io/protocol-launcher/

Contributing

Feel free to dive in! Open an issue or submit PRs.

Standard Readme follows the Contributor Covenant Code of Conduct.

Contributors

This project exists thanks to all the people who contribute.

License

MIT © MichaelSun