Fixed a Windows CI issue.

config_example.toml

@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ tutorial_seen = false
 
 [search]
 # Start with the fuzzy passes enabled.
-fuzzy_default = true
+fuzzy_default = false
 # Ceiling on the fuzzy stages' typo budget. The allowance grows with the
 # search term, one edit per three characters, up to this value, so 2
 # means "1 edit for 3-5 character terms, 2 for anything longer". 0 turns

crates/quicksearch-gui/Cargo.toml

@@ -59,6 +59,13 @@ chrono = { version = "0.4", default-features = false, features = ["clock"] }
 # This is the zero-setup path; `--toggle` covers the app not running.
 global-hotkey = "0.8"
 
+# The window handle behind both native raise paths — `activate::raise`'s X11
+# `_NET_ACTIVE_WINDOW` message and its Win32 `SetForegroundWindow` — neither of
+# which winit will do for us. Not target-gated: eframe depends on this
+# unconditionally (it is what `HasWindowHandle for Frame` is written against),
+# so naming it here adds no crate on any platform.
+raw-window-handle = "0.6"
+
 # Display backends, which only exist on Linux/BSD. `default-features = false`
 # has to be repeated: feature resolution unions the two stanzas, so a single
 # permissive one would switch defaults back on for every target.
@@ -83,10 +90,9 @@ pollster = "0.4"
 # Raising the window from either shortcut on X11, which winit cannot
 # do: it asks with a source indication of "application", and every mainstream
 # window manager refuses that from a window that is not already focused. See
-# `activate::raise`. Both are already in the tree (winit's own X11 backend,
-# and eframe's window handle), so neither adds a crate.
+# `activate::raise`. Already in the tree as winit's own X11 backend, so this
+# adds no crate.
 x11rb = "0.13"
-raw-window-handle = "0.6"
 
 # XTEST, for `examples/raiseprobe.rs` only: it synthesises the global key
 # press that proves the shortcut path end to end, which no command-line tool

crates/quicksearch-gui/src/activate.rs

@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ pub mod raise;
 
 pub use raise::raise;
 
-use std::io::{Read, Write};
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
 
@@ -133,6 +132,9 @@ pub(crate) fn fire(ctx: &egui::Context) {
 #[cfg(unix)]
 mod imp {
     use super::*;
+    // The socket is the only reader and writer here; Windows uses the Win32
+    // pipe calls rather than `std::io`.
+    use std::io::{Read, Write};
     use std::os::unix::net::{UnixListener, UnixStream};
 
     /// Ask the instance configured by `config_path` to come forward.

crates/quicksearch-gui/src/app/status_bar.rs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 use super::*;
 
+use crate::tips::{self, Tipped};
 use crate::ui_util::hint;
 
 impl QuickSearchApp {
@@ -48,18 +49,19 @@ impl QuickSearchApp {
                                 ui.label(
                                     egui::RichText::new(match (r.total, r.fraction()) {
                                         (Some(total), Some(frac)) => format!(
-                                            "Applying configuration change · {} / {} ({:.0}%)",
+                                            "Rebuilding FTS cache · {} / {} ({:.0}%)",
                                             group_thousands(r.examined as u64),
                                             group_thousands(total as u64),
                                             frac * 100.0
                                         ),
                                         _ => format!(
-                                            "Applying configuration change · {} entries",
+                                            "Rebuilding FTS cache · {} entries",
                                             group_thousands(r.examined as u64)
                                         ),
                                     })
                                     .small(),
-                                );
+                                )
+                                .tip(&tips::REBUILDING_FTS);
                                 progress_widget(ui, r.fraction());
                             }
                             ReconcileState::Finished(r) => {
@@ -74,21 +76,28 @@ impl QuickSearchApp {
                         }
                     }
                     IndexingStatus::Preparing { start_time, step } => {
-                        let (label, frac) = match step {
+                        // Only the reconcile step has a wait worth explaining;
+                        // the rest are over in a moment.
+                        let (label, frac, tip) = match step {
                             PrepStep::PreviousRun => {
-                                ("Finishing the previous run…".to_string(), None)
+                                ("Finishing the previous run…".to_string(), None, None)
+                            }
+                            PrepStep::OpeningIndex => {
+                                ("Opening the index…".to_string(), None, None)
+                            }
+                            PrepStep::Starting => {
+                                ("Getting the index ready…".to_string(), None, None)
                             }
-                            PrepStep::OpeningIndex => ("Opening the index…".to_string(), None),
-                            PrepStep::Starting => ("Getting the index ready…".to_string(), None),
                             PrepStep::Reconciling(r) => (
                                 format!(
-                                    "Applying configuration change · {} entries",
+                                    "Rebuilding FTS cache · {} entries",
                                     group_thousands(r.examined as u64)
                                 ),
                                 r.fraction(),
+                                Some(&tips::REBUILDING_FTS),
                             ),
                         };
-                        ui.label(
+                        let response = ui.label(
                             egui::RichText::new(format!(
                                 "{} · {}",
                                 label,
@@ -96,6 +105,9 @@ impl QuickSearchApp {
                             ))
                             .small(),
                         );
+                        if let Some(tip) = tip {
+                            response.tip(tip);
+                        }
                         progress_widget(ui, frac);
                     }
                     IndexingStatus::Idle => {

crates/quicksearch-gui/src/hotkey/binding.rs

@@ -156,9 +156,33 @@ impl Binding {
             .expect("every Binding key comes from KEYS")
     }
 
+    /// The key combination as the integer `Qt::Key | Qt::Modifier` value
+    /// KGlobalAccel's DBus `setShortcut` takes. Covered like [`Self::row`]:
+    /// `tests::every_key_has_a_qt_code` proves the mapping total over
+    /// [`KEYS`], so a new row cannot reach KDE as a panic.
+    ///
+    /// This and the two spellings below exist for the desktops
+    /// `crate::shortcut_setup` and [`super::portal`] write to, all of which
+    /// are unix; off unix nothing calls them and the lint would say so.
+    #[cfg_attr(not(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos"))), allow(dead_code))]
+    pub fn qt_key_code(&self) -> u32 {
+        let mut code = qt_key(self.key);
+        for (held, bit) in [
+            (self.shift, 0x0200_0000),
+            (self.ctrl, 0x0400_0000),
+            (self.alt, 0x0800_0000),
+        ] {
+            if held {
+                code |= bit;
+            }
+        }
+        code
+    }
+
     /// The accelerator in GTK's syntax — `<Ctrl><Shift>f` — which is what a
     /// GNOME custom keybinding's `binding` key stores. GTK keyval names are
     /// the X11 keysym names, so the keysym column serves both spellings.
+    #[cfg_attr(not(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos"))), allow(dead_code))]
     pub fn gtk_accelerator(&self) -> String {
         let mut out = String::new();
         for (held, name) in [
@@ -176,6 +200,7 @@ impl Binding {
 
     /// The trigger in the XDG shortcuts spec's syntax: uppercase modifiers
     /// and an xkbcommon keysym, joined with `+`.
+    #[cfg_attr(not(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos"))), allow(dead_code))]
     pub fn portal_trigger(&self) -> String {
         let mut out = String::new();
         for (held, name) in [
@@ -250,6 +275,90 @@ impl FromStr for Binding {
     }
 }
 
+/// The `Qt::Key` value for a bindable key. Printable keys are their ASCII
+/// uppercase; the named keys are Qt's `0x0100_00xx` block. A fourth [`KEYS`]
+/// column in all but layout: kept as a match so the table stays readable,
+/// with `tests::every_key_has_a_qt_code` holding the two together.
+#[cfg_attr(not(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos"))), allow(dead_code))]
+fn qt_key(key: Key) -> u32 {
+    match key {
+        Key::A => 0x41,
+        Key::B => 0x42,
+        Key::C => 0x43,
+        Key::D => 0x44,
+        Key::E => 0x45,
+        Key::F => 0x46,
+        Key::G => 0x47,
+        Key::H => 0x48,
+        Key::I => 0x49,
+        Key::J => 0x4A,
+        Key::K => 0x4B,
+        Key::L => 0x4C,
+        Key::M => 0x4D,
+        Key::N => 0x4E,
+        Key::O => 0x4F,
+        Key::P => 0x50,
+        Key::Q => 0x51,
+        Key::R => 0x52,
+        Key::S => 0x53,
+        Key::T => 0x54,
+        Key::U => 0x55,
+        Key::V => 0x56,
+        Key::W => 0x57,
+        Key::X => 0x58,
+        Key::Y => 0x59,
+        Key::Z => 0x5A,
+        Key::Num0 => 0x30,
+        Key::Num1 => 0x31,
+        Key::Num2 => 0x32,
+        Key::Num3 => 0x33,
+        Key::Num4 => 0x34,
+        Key::Num5 => 0x35,
+        Key::Num6 => 0x36,
+        Key::Num7 => 0x37,
+        Key::Num8 => 0x38,
+        Key::Num9 => 0x39,
+        Key::F1 => 0x0100_0030,
+        Key::F2 => 0x0100_0031,
+        Key::F3 => 0x0100_0032,
+        Key::F4 => 0x0100_0033,
+        Key::F5 => 0x0100_0034,
+        Key::F6 => 0x0100_0035,
+        Key::F7 => 0x0100_0036,
+        Key::F8 => 0x0100_0037,
+        Key::F9 => 0x0100_0038,
+        Key::F10 => 0x0100_0039,
+        Key::F11 => 0x0100_003A,
+        Key::F12 => 0x0100_003B,
+        Key::Space => 0x20,
+        Key::Enter => 0x0100_0004,
+        Key::Tab => 0x0100_0001,
+        Key::Backspace => 0x0100_0003,
+        Key::Delete => 0x0100_0007,
+        Key::Insert => 0x0100_0006,
+        Key::Home => 0x0100_0010,
+        Key::End => 0x0100_0011,
+        Key::PageUp => 0x0100_0016,
+        Key::PageDown => 0x0100_0017,
+        Key::ArrowUp => 0x0100_0013,
+        Key::ArrowDown => 0x0100_0015,
+        Key::ArrowLeft => 0x0100_0012,
+        Key::ArrowRight => 0x0100_0014,
+        Key::Comma => 0x2C,
+        Key::Period => 0x2E,
+        Key::Slash => 0x2F,
+        Key::Backslash => 0x5C,
+        Key::Semicolon => 0x3B,
+        Key::Quote => 0x27,
+        Key::Backtick => 0x60,
+        Key::Minus => 0x2D,
+        Key::Equals => 0x3D,
+        Key::OpenBracket => 0x5B,
+        Key::CloseBracket => 0x5D,
+        other => unreachable!("{other:?} is not in KEYS; see every_key_has_a_qt_code"),
+    }
+}
+
 /// Empty means "no shortcut" rather than an error.
 pub fn parse_setting(setting: &str) -> Result<Option<Binding>, BindingError> {
     if setting.trim().is_empty() {
@@ -271,6 +380,29 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(binding.gtk_accelerator(), "<Ctrl><Shift>f");
     }
 
+    /// `qt_key`'s `unreachable!` is only sound while every row of [`KEYS`]
+    /// has an arm; this is what holds the match and the table together.
+    #[test]
+    fn every_key_has_a_qt_code() {
+        for (key, token, _) in KEYS {
+            let code = qt_key(*key);
+            assert_ne!(code, 0, "{token} has no Qt key code");
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The values KGlobalAccel actually receives, spot-checked against
+    /// `Qt::Key`: the default binding (verified live against Plasma 6.6),
+    /// a named key, and a punctuation key.
+    #[test]
+    fn qt_key_codes_match_qt() {
+        let binding: Binding = "Ctrl+Shift+F".parse().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(binding.qt_key_code(), 0x0600_0046);
+        let binding: Binding = "Alt+PageUp".parse().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(binding.qt_key_code(), 0x0900_0016);
+        let binding: Binding = "Ctrl+Comma".parse().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(binding.qt_key_code(), 0x0400_002C);
+    }
+
     /// The keysym column doubles as the GTK keyval, so a named key must come
     /// out under GTK's name for it, not egui's.
     #[test]

crates/quicksearch-gui/src/manage_tab.rs

@@ -735,7 +735,7 @@ fn waiting_row(ui: &mut egui::Ui, label: &str, elapsed: Duration) {
 /// `elapsed` is `Some` for a run's prologue; the between-runs pass has none.
 fn reconcile_row(ui: &mut egui::Ui, r: &ReconcileProgress, elapsed: Option<Duration>) {
     ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-        ui.label("Applying configuration change");
+        ui.label("Rebuilding FTS cache").tip(&tips::REBUILDING_FTS);
         ui.label(egui::RichText::new("|").weak());
         match (r.total, r.fraction()) {
             (Some(total), Some(frac)) => {

crates/quicksearch-gui/src/manage_tab/tests.rs

@@ -628,7 +628,7 @@ fn a_reconcile_reports_how_far_through_the_index_it_is() {
     )
     .join(" | ");
 
-    assert!(text.contains("Applying configuration change"), "{}", text);
+    assert!(text.contains("Rebuilding FTS cache"), "{}", text);
     assert!(
         text.contains("2,500,000 / 8,000,000 (31%) entries checked"),
         "{}",
@@ -637,6 +637,41 @@ fn a_reconcile_reports_how_far_through_the_index_it_is() {
     assert!(text.contains("1,204 entries removed"), "{}", text);
 }
 
+/// The pass can run for minutes with the window unresponsive, so the line
+/// that names it has to be where the explanation is reachable from.
+#[test]
+fn the_reconcile_status_explains_the_wait_on_hover() {
+    let ctx = crate::test_ui::ctx();
+    ctx.style_mut(|s| {
+        s.interaction.tooltip_delay = 0.0;
+        s.interaction.show_tooltips_only_when_still = false;
+    });
+    let mut tab = ManageTab::new();
+    let cfg = cfg_with_root();
+    let state = preparing_state(PrepStep::Reconciling(ReconcileProgress::default()));
+    let mut run = |events: Vec<egui::Event>| {
+        ctx.run(raw_input(events), |ctx| {
+            egui::CentralPanel::default().show(ctx, |ui| {
+                tab.ui(ui, &state, &cfg);
+            });
+        })
+    };
+
+    run(vec![]);
+    let settled = run(vec![]);
+    let pos = crate::test_ui::painted_text_center(&settled, "Rebuilding FTS cache")
+        .expect("status line painted");
+    let opening: String = crate::tips::REBUILDING_FTS.body.chars().take(40).collect();
+    let mut out = run(vec![egui::Event::PointerMoved(pos)]);
+    for _ in 0..3 {
+        if painted_text(&out).join("\n").contains(&opening) {
+            return;
+        }
+        out = run(vec![]);
+    }
+    panic!("no tooltip on the status line: {:?}", painted_text(&out));
+}
+
 /// Whole-range deletions read no rows; the display must not invent a denominator.
 #[test]
 fn a_reconcile_without_a_row_count_shows_no_denominator() {
@@ -669,7 +704,7 @@ fn a_prune_between_runs_is_reported_instead_of_idle() {
 
     let text = frame_text(&ctx, &mut tab, &state).join(" | ");
     assert!(
-        text.contains("Applying configuration change"),
+        text.contains("Rebuilding FTS cache"),
         "the scan is invisible: {}",
         text
     );

crates/quicksearch-gui/src/settings_tab.rs

@@ -466,6 +466,21 @@ fn hotkey_note(ui: &mut egui::Ui, draft: &str, live: &str) {
                 ),
                 None,
             ),
+            // On Windows a failed registration is the *expected* state
+            // whenever the Start-menu shortcut owns the same key — Explorer
+            // registers it at logon, wins, and every press then reaches us
+            // through the `--toggle` relay anyway. An error color would cry
+            // wolf on every installed copy.
+            Status::Error(why) if cfg!(windows) => (
+                format!(
+                    "Another program holds this key ({}) — usually the Start \
+                     menu shortcut that starts QuickSearch, which also brings \
+                     it forward while it is running. If the key does nothing, \
+                     pick a different combination.",
+                    why
+                ),
+                None,
+            ),
             Status::Error(why) => (
                 format!("The shortcut is not active: {}.", why),
                 Some(crate::color::palette(ui.visuals().dark_mode).orange),
@@ -570,10 +585,7 @@ fn shortcut_note_for(ui: &mut egui::Ui, hotkey_setting: &str, desktop: crate::sh
                             state.installed = true;
                             state.feedback = Some((
                                 true,
-                                "Added to your desktop's keyboard shortcuts. If the \
-                                 key does not answer right away, it will after the \
-                                 next login."
-                                    .to_string(),
+                                "Added to your desktop's keyboard shortcuts.".to_string(),
                             ));
                         }
                         Err(e) => state.feedback = Some((false, e)),

crates/quicksearch-gui/src/shortcut_setup.rs

@@ -18,6 +18,11 @@ use crate::hotkey::Binding;
 
 /// Where a binding can be written. `Unsupported` hides the one-click button
 /// and leaves the manual flow.
+///
+/// Off unix the two named desktops are unreachable — [`detect`] answers
+/// `Unsupported` and the dispatchers below never name them — so the variants
+/// exist there only to keep this one enum for every platform.
+#[cfg_attr(not(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos"))), allow(dead_code))]
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Debug)]
 pub enum Desktop {
     Gnome,
@@ -52,31 +57,75 @@ fn desktop_for(desktops: &str) -> Desktop {
 
 /// Whether the binding this module writes is currently present. Asks the
 /// desktop, so callers should cache rather than poll every frame.
+///
+/// The three functions here are split by platform the same way [`detect`] is:
+/// the desktops that have a home for a binding are all unix, and their modules
+/// only exist there, so naming them off unix would not compile.
 pub fn installed() -> bool {
+    #[cfg(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos")))]
+    {
         match detect() {
             Desktop::Gnome => gnome::installed(),
             Desktop::Kde => kde::installed(),
             Desktop::Unsupported => false,
         }
+    }
+    #[cfg(not(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos"))))]
+    {
+        false
+    }
 }
 
 /// Write `binding` → `quicksearch --toggle` into the desktop's keyboard
 /// configuration. Idempotent: a second install rewrites the same entry.
 pub fn install(binding: &Binding) -> Result<(), String> {
-    let command = format!("{} --toggle", crate::activate::command_name());
+    #[cfg(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos")))]
+    {
+        let command = toggle_command();
         match detect() {
             Desktop::Gnome => gnome::install(binding, &command),
-        Desktop::Kde => kde::install(binding),
-        Desktop::Unsupported => Err("this desktop is not supported".to_string()),
+            Desktop::Kde => kde::install(binding, &command),
+            Desktop::Unsupported => Err(UNSUPPORTED.to_string()),
+        }
+    }
+    #[cfg(not(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos"))))]
+    {
+        let _ = binding;
+        Err(UNSUPPORTED.to_string())
+    }
+}
+
+/// What every platform without a home for a binding answers. On Windows the
+/// closed-app binding is the installer's `.lnk`, so there is nothing here to
+/// write and the Settings tab shows the manual note instead.
+const UNSUPPORTED: &str = "this desktop is not supported";
+
+/// The command line the key runs, quoted for a path with spaces in it —
+/// both GNOME's `command` key and a desktop file's `Exec` split on
+/// whitespace and honour double quotes.
+#[cfg(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos")))]
+fn toggle_command() -> String {
+    let exe = crate::activate::command_name();
+    if exe.contains(char::is_whitespace) {
+        format!("\"{}\" --toggle", exe)
+    } else {
+        format!("{} --toggle", exe)
     }
 }
 
 /// Delete the entry [`install`] wrote; a no-op if it is already gone.
 pub fn remove() -> Result<(), String> {
+    #[cfg(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos")))]
+    {
         match detect() {
             Desktop::Gnome => gnome::remove(),
             Desktop::Kde => kde::remove(),
-        Desktop::Unsupported => Err("this desktop is not supported".to_string()),
+            Desktop::Unsupported => Err(UNSUPPORTED.to_string()),
+        }
+    }
+    #[cfg(not(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos"))))]
+    {
+        Err(UNSUPPORTED.to_string())
     }
 }
 
@@ -222,89 +271,133 @@ fn format_string_list(paths: &[String]) -> String {
     format!("[{}]", quoted.join(", "))
 }
 
-/// KDE: the global-shortcuts entry for the `Search` action that
-/// `packaging/quicksearch.desktop` declares (`Exec=quicksearch --toggle`).
-/// kglobalaccel launches desktop-file actions itself, so no command is
-/// written here — only the key, in the file KDE's own Shortcuts settings
-/// page reads and edits.
+/// KDE: registration with the kglobalaccel daemon over DBus, which is the
+/// only writer `kglobalshortcutsrc` has — the daemon rewrites that file at
+/// will and *drops* groups it did not create, so editing it directly (the
+/// first version of this module) produced an entry that neither fired nor
+/// survived. `setShortcut` takes effect immediately and the daemon does its
+/// own persisting.
+///
+/// What the key *runs* is a small desktop file in
+/// `~/.local/share/kglobalaccel/`, the directory Plasma itself uses for
+/// custom command shortcuts: a component whose name ends in `.desktop`
+/// resolves to that file, and its `_launch` action runs the `Exec` line.
+/// The file's presence is also this module's "installed" marker — written
+/// last on install, deleted on remove, and free of a per-frame DBus call.
+///
+/// Verified live against Plasma 6.6: register → the key launches a closed
+/// QuickSearch; `unregister` → the daemon drops the entry from its config.
 #[cfg(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos")))]
 mod kde {
     use super::*;
+    use std::path::PathBuf;
 
-    const FILE: &str = "kglobalshortcutsrc";
-    const GROUP: &str = "quicksearch.desktop";
+    /// Ends in `.desktop`: what makes the daemon treat the component as a
+    /// service it can launch rather than an app that must be running.
+    const COMPONENT: &str = "quicksearch-search.desktop";
+    const ACTION: &str = "_launch";
+    /// KGlobalAccel's NoAutoloading flag: set the key now, not merely as a
+    /// default for the next load.
+    const SET_NOW: &str = "4";
 
-    /// Plasma 6's tool first; 5's second. The first present wins.
-    fn config_tool(names: [&'static str; 2]) -> &'static str {
-        let on_path = |name: &str| {
-            std::env::var_os("PATH").is_some_and(|path| {
-                std::env::split_paths(&path).any(|dir| dir.join(name).is_file())
-            })
-        };
-        if on_path(names[0]) {
-            names[0]
-        } else {
-            names[1]
-        }
+    /// The action id every `org.kde.KGlobalAccel` call takes, in GVariant
+    /// text: `[component, action, component friendly, action friendly]`.
+    pub(super) fn action_id() -> String {
+        format!("['{}', '{}', 'QuickSearch', 'QuickSearch']", COMPONENT, ACTION)
     }
 
-    /// The entry format is `active,default,description`.
-    pub(super) fn entry(binding: &Binding) -> String {
-        format!("{},none,Search", binding)
+    /// One `gdbus call` against the daemon. gdbus over qdbus because it
+    /// takes GVariant text for the list arguments, which qdbus cannot spell.
+    fn call(method: &str, args: &[&str]) -> Result<String, String> {
+        let method = format!("org.kde.KGlobalAccel.{}", method);
+        let mut argv = vec![
+            "call",
+            "--session",
+            "--dest",
+            "org.kde.kglobalaccel",
+            "--object-path",
+            "/kglobalaccel",
+            "--method",
+            &method,
+        ];
+        argv.extend(args);
+        run("gdbus", &argv)
+    }
+
+    /// Where the launch target lives; the daemon looks here by name.
+    pub(super) fn desktop_file() -> PathBuf {
+        let data = std::env::var_os("XDG_DATA_HOME")
+            .map(PathBuf::from)
+            .filter(|p| p.is_absolute())
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| {
+                PathBuf::from(std::env::var_os("HOME").unwrap_or_default())
+                    .join(".local/share")
+            });
+        data.join("kglobalaccel").join(COMPONENT)
+    }
+
+    /// `NoDisplay`: the entry exists to be launched by a key, not to appear
+    /// in menus next to the real QuickSearch entry.
+    pub(super) fn desktop_entry(command: &str) -> String {
+        format!(
+            "[Desktop Entry]\nType=Application\nName=QuickSearch\nNoDisplay=true\nExec={}\n",
+            command
+        )
     }
 
     pub(super) fn installed() -> bool {
-        let tool = config_tool(["kreadconfig6", "kreadconfig5"]);
-        run(tool, &["--file", FILE, "--group", GROUP, "--key", "Search"])
-            .map(|out| {
-                let active = out.trim().split(',').next().unwrap_or("");
-                !active.is_empty() && active != "none"
-            })
-            .unwrap_or(false)
+        desktop_file().is_file()
     }
 
-    pub(super) fn install(binding: &Binding) -> Result<(), String> {
-        let tool = config_tool(["kwriteconfig6", "kwriteconfig5"]);
-        let entry = entry(binding);
-        for (key, value) in [("_k_friendly_name", "QuickSearch"), ("Search", &entry)] {
-            run(
-                tool,
-                &["--file", FILE, "--group", GROUP, "--key", key, value],
-            )?;
+    pub(super) fn install(binding: &Binding, command: &str) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let id = action_id();
+        call("doRegister", &[&id])?;
+        let keys = format!("[{}]", binding.qt_key_code());
+        let reply = call("setShortcut", &[&id, &keys, SET_NOW])?;
+        // The daemon answers with the keys now in force; ours missing means
+        // it kept something else — the key is taken.
+        if !reply_ints(&reply).contains(&binding.qt_key_code()) {
+            let _ = call("unregister", &[COMPONENT, ACTION]);
+            return Err(format!(
+                "your desktop refused {} — probably already in use",
+                binding
+            ));
         }
-        reload();
+        // The file last: it is the installed marker, so nothing marks this
+        // installed until the key is actually in force.
+        let path = desktop_file();
+        if let Some(dir) = path.parent() {
+            std::fs::create_dir_all(dir).map_err(|e| format!("creating {}: {}", dir.display(), e))?;
+        }
+        std::fs::write(&path, desktop_entry(command))
+            .map_err(|e| format!("writing {}: {}", path.display(), e))?;
+        // Executable, or KConfig refuses to trust the file's Exec line
+        // ("not owned by root and executable flag not set") — the same bit
+        // Plasma's own Shortcuts page sets on the files it creates here.
+        use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+        std::fs::set_permissions(&path, std::fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o755))
+            .map_err(|e| format!("marking {} executable: {}", path.display(), e))?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
     pub(super) fn remove() -> Result<(), String> {
-        let tool = config_tool(["kwriteconfig6", "kwriteconfig5"]);
-        for key in ["Search", "_k_friendly_name"] {
-            run(
-                tool,
-                &["--file", FILE, "--group", GROUP, "--key", key, "--delete"],
-            )?;
+        call("unregister", &[COMPONENT, ACTION])?;
+        let path = desktop_file();
+        match std::fs::remove_file(&path) {
+            Ok(()) => Ok(()),
+            Err(e) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => Ok(()),
+            Err(e) => Err(format!("deleting {}: {}", path.display(), e)),
         }
-        reload();
-        Ok(())
     }
 
-    /// Ask kglobalaccel to re-read its file. Best-effort: without it the
-    /// binding takes effect at the next login, which install's caller says.
-    fn reload() {
-        for qdbus in ["qdbus6", "qdbus"] {
-            if run(
-                qdbus,
-                &[
-                    "org.kde.kglobalaccel",
-                    "/kglobalaccel",
-                    "org.kde.KGlobalAccel.reloadConfig",
-                ],
-            )
-            .is_ok()
-            {
-                return;
-            }
-        }
+    /// The integers out of a gdbus reply like `([100663366],)`. Wrong or
+    /// hostile shapes yield fewer integers, never a panic.
+    pub(super) fn reply_ints(reply: &str) -> Vec<u32> {
+        reply
+            .split(|c: char| !c.is_ascii_digit())
+            .filter(|s| !s.is_empty())
+            .filter_map(|s| s.parse().ok())
+            .collect()
     }
 }
 
@@ -402,11 +495,50 @@ mod tests {
         }
     }
 
+    /// What the KDE launch key runs: a well-formed desktop entry whose Exec
+    /// is the toggle command, hidden from menus.
     #[cfg(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos")))]
     #[test]
-    fn the_kde_entry_carries_the_binding_first() {
-        let binding: Binding = "Ctrl+Shift+F".parse().unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(kde::entry(&binding), "Ctrl+Shift+F,none,Search");
+    fn the_kde_desktop_entry_launches_the_toggle() {
+        let entry = kde::desktop_entry("/opt/qs/quicksearch --toggle");
+        assert!(entry.starts_with("[Desktop Entry]\n"));
+        assert!(entry.contains("Exec=/opt/qs/quicksearch --toggle\n"));
+        assert!(entry.contains("NoDisplay=true\n"));
+        assert!(kde::desktop_file().ends_with("kglobalaccel/quicksearch-search.desktop"));
+    }
+
+    /// The GVariant action id every KGlobalAccel call names; `_launch` is
+    /// the action that runs a `.desktop` component's Exec.
+    #[cfg(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos")))]
+    #[test]
+    fn the_kde_action_id_names_the_launch_action() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            kde::action_id(),
+            "['quicksearch-search.desktop', '_launch', 'QuickSearch', 'QuickSearch']"
+        );
+    }
+
+    /// gdbus replies, including hostile ones, must parse to integers or to
+    /// nothing — never panic.
+    #[cfg(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos")))]
+    #[test]
+    fn gdbus_replies_parse_to_integers_or_nothing() {
+        assert_eq!(kde::reply_ints("([100663366],)"), [100663366]);
+        assert_eq!(kde::reply_ints("([1, 2],)"), [1, 2]);
+        assert_eq!(kde::reply_ints("([],)"), Vec::<u32>::new());
+        for garbage in ["", "(true,)", "nonsense", "([99999999999999999999],)"] {
+            let _ = kde::reply_ints(garbage);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// A path with a space would otherwise split into a broken Exec line.
+    #[cfg(all(unix, not(target_os = "macos")))]
+    #[test]
+    fn the_toggle_command_survives_spaces_in_the_path() {
+        // `toggle_command` reads the real exe path; both shapes it can
+        // produce must parse back to program + one flag.
+        let command = toggle_command();
+        assert!(command.ends_with(" --toggle"), "{command}");
     }
 
     /// The fixed GNOME path is load-bearing twice over: idempotence and

crates/quicksearch-gui/src/tips.rs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-//! Plain-language tooltips: every configuration control explains itself on hover.
+//! Plain-language tooltips: every configuration control, and any status line
+//! whose wait needs explaining, explains itself on hover.
 
 const TIP_WIDTH: f32 = 420.0;
 
@@ -559,6 +560,18 @@ pub static CLEAR_INDEX: Tip = Tip {
     caution: Some("This cannot be undone: the index has to be built from scratch again."),
 };
 
+// --- Index status --------------------------------------------------------
+
+pub static REBUILDING_FTS: Tip = Tip {
+    title: "Rebuilding the full-text search cache",
+    body: "A setting changed that affects which text is searchable, so \
+           QuickSearch is modifying the search index. On a \
+           large index this can take several minutes, and the progress may look \
+           frozen while it runs. You can still search during this time!",
+    examples: &[],
+    caution: None,
+};
+
 // --- Manage Index tab: indexed folders -----------------------------------
 
 pub static ADD_ROOT: Tip = Tip {
@@ -711,6 +724,7 @@ mod tests {
         &STOP_INDEXING,
         &RETURN_TO_AUTO,
         &CLEAR_INDEX,
+        &REBUILDING_FTS,
         &ADD_ROOT,
         &REMOVE_ROOT,
         &ROOT_WORKERS,

packaging/quicksearch.nsi

@@ -187,6 +187,10 @@ Section "Search hotkey (Ctrl+Shift+F)" SecHotkey
     ; on the Settings tab rewrites this .lnk to match (per-user installs
     ; only; this all-users file needs elevation).
     ;
+    ; Explorer registers this key at logon, so the app's own RegisterHotKey
+    ; for the same combination loses; either way the press works — directly,
+    ; or by Explorer launching `--toggle`, which relays to a running window.
+    ;
     ; Rewrites the same shortcut the section above creates: NSIS cannot add a
     ; hotkey to an existing .lnk, and creating it twice is harmless.
     CreateShortcut "$SMPROGRAMS\${APP}.lnk" "$INSTDIR\quicksearch.exe" "--toggle" \