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Actions

TODO: Document all actions.

Actions allow you to execute various workflows.

Remember that you can stack up multiple actions and they will be executed one by one, from top to bottom.

Be aware that certain actions are terminal actions, meaning that they may cause Shutter to terminate or otherwise stop the rest of actions from executing. You can use only one terminal action, and it must be the last in the list of actions.

Shutdown

Shutdown the computer.

You can force applications to close upon shutdown. This option is required if you want to shutdown a computer in a locked state or want to prevent applications from cancelling a shutdown sequence.

You can request supported applications to automatically restart on reboot. This only works for applications that explicitly support the "Restart apps" Windows feature.

Reboot

Reboot the computer.

You can force applications to close upon reboot. This option is required if you want to reboot a computer in a locked state or want to prevent applications from cancelling a reboot sequence.

You can request supported applications to automatically restart on reboot. This only works for applications that explicitly support the "Restart apps" Windows feature.

Logoff

Log out (sign out) the currently logged in user.

You can force applications to close upon logoff. This option is required if you want to logoff a computer in a locked state or want to prevent applications from cancelling a logoff sequence.

Lock Workstation

Lock the workstation. Simple as that.

Sleep

Put the computer into power-saving state designed to preserve your work while using minimal energy.

In sleep mode, your computer maintains its current state in RAM while other components shut down, using a small amount of power to keep the data intact. This allows for near-instantaneous resumption when you wake the device. However, if the battery runs out while in sleep mode, your unsaved work may be lost because RAM requires continuous power to retain data.

Hibernate

Put the computer into hibernated state designed to preserve your work while not using energy.

The hibernation process saves the current state, including the contents of RAM, to a file on disk before fully powering down the system, using no power and protecting your work even during a power outage. Resuming from hibernate takes longer than from sleep because the system must reload the saved state from storage, but it is ideal for extended periods of inactivity, especially on laptops where battery conservation is critical.

Tip: Check if the hibernation option is enabled on your PC: Control Panel » Power Options » Hibernate tab.

Monitor

Turn off or turn on the monitor.

Screen Saver

Activate a screen saver, using either a system configured or a custom executable file.

Tip: You can make the screen saver automatically lock your workstation, displaying the log-on screen on resume. This option can be enabled in the Power Management settings on your computer.

Screenshot

Take a desktop screenshot and save it to a file.

The naming schema for the screenshot file can be:

  • Specified file name, e.g. Screenshot.jpg. If file already exists, it will be overwritten.
  • Sequentially numbered files in a specified directory, e.g. 1.jpg, 2.jpg, etc.
  • Date and time stamped files in a specified directory, e.g. 20251201_170500.jpg if now is "2025-12-01 17:05:00".

Volume

Mute or umute the master volume.

Hang Up

Drop the connection of the modem device.

It is highly unlikely that you still use a dial-up modem for your internet connection, but this action may still be useful for hardware enthusiasts.

Alarm

Show a simple dialog displaying the current time and play an alarm sound.

Message

Display a textual message for a specified period time, including options to stop the execution of outstanding actions and restart the events.

Play Sound

Play a specified audio file, with an option to wait for the audio to finish playing before continuing with the rest of actions.

Run Program

Run a specified executable command, with an option to wait for it to finish executing before continuing with the rest of actions.

Open File

Open a specified file using the associated application.

The file path can be one of the following:

  • URL, for example: https://www.den4b.com/
  • Executable program, for example: notepad
  • Normal file, for example: Document.doc or Song.mp3

Close Window

Close all windows that match the specified window title.

You can use wildcards *, ?, and [] to specify a partially matching pattern.

There are several mechanisms for closing windows of other applications. Be aware that some applications may not respond to the selected mechanism, or the application may terminate abruptly without saving its work correctly.

Kill Process

Terminate all processes that match the specified executable filename.

Utilities

This is a special type of action that controls the workflow of Shutter.

The options are:

  • Close application - Close Shutter itself, typically, after executing all of the listed actions. Effectively, Shutter runs just once: It waits for the events, executes the actions and then closes.
  • Restart events - Shutter rearms itself, and waits for the entire set of events to trigger once again. Effectively, Shutter runs the cycle of events and actions endlessly.
  • Pause execution - Wait for a specific time interval before proceeding with the remaining actions. This action does nothing except waiting for the time interval to lapse. For example, if an action closes an application, give it some time to close gracefully before moving on.

Run Preset

Run another preset (a preconfigured set of events and actions) in the current instance or a new instance of Shutter.

This action enables a more complex execution flow by running multiple sets of events and actions in sequence.

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