PSClock

This module will create a WPF-based clock launched from a PowerShell prompt that runs on your Windows desktop. The clock runs in a background PowerShell runspace so that it doesn't block. You can customize the clock's appearance including how you want to format the date and time. The clock background is transparent so all you see is formatted text.

If you are running Windows, you can install the module from the PowerShell Gallery. It will work in both Windows PowerShell and PowerShell 7.

Install-Module PSClock [-scope CurrentUser]

Installing the module will also install the ThreadJob module if it isn't already installed.

Start-PSClock

Use Start-PSClock or the psclock alias to launch a PSClock.

Start-PSClock -size 24 -FontFamily 'Bahnschrift Light'

The font size must be at least 8. You should have tab completion for the Color, FontFamily, and other font-related parameters.

By default, the clock will be displayed on the center of your screen. You can click and drag the clock to reposition using the left mouse button. You might have to try a few times to "grab" the clock. You can close the clock with a right click or the Stop-PSClock command.

The command lets you specify any DateTime format string. This is the same value you would use in a command like Get-Date -format U. Note that these strings are case-sensitive. See https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/base-types/custom-date-and-time-format-strings for more information.

Start-PSClock -size 30 -Color Yellow -format G -FontFamily Verdana

Save-PSClock

You can use Save-PSClock to export current clock settings to an XML file.

Save-PSClock

The file, PSClockSettings.xml, will be stored in $HOME. If the file is detected when you run Start-PSClock, the saved settings will be imported. If the file exists and you want to specify new settings, use the -Force parameter with Start-PSClock. This will not remove the saved settings file, only ignore it.

You need to manually delete the file if you no longer wish to use it.

Runspaces and Limitations

The clock runs in a separate runspace launched from your PowerShell session. If you close the session, the clock will also be closed.

The command is designed to only have one clock running at a time. If you try to start another clock from another PowerShell session, you will get a warning.

PS C:\> Start-PSClock
WARNING:
A running clock has been detected from another PowerShell session:

[11/6/2021 10:47:33 AM] PSClock started by Jeff under PowerShell process id 13752

If this is incorrect, delete `C:\Users\Jeff\AppData\Local\Temp\psclock-flag.txt` and try again.

If you close PowerShell without properly shutting down the clock you may be left with the flag file. Manually delete the file and try again.

Get-PSClock

Use this command to get information about the current clock.

PS C:\> Get-PSClock

Running Format FontFamily Size Weight Color  Style  OnTop RunspaceID
------- ------ ---------- ---- ------ -----  -----  ----- ----------
True      G    Verdana      30 Normal Yellow Normal False         28

If the clock is not running, the Running value will be displayed in Red and there will be no RunspaceID. There are other properties to this object you might want to use.

PS C:\> Get-PSClock | Select *

Started         : 11/6/2021 10:47:33 AM
Format          : G
Output          : 11/6/2021 10:59:08 AM
Running         : True
FontFamily      : Verdana
Size            : 30
Weight          : Normal
Color           : Yellow
Style           : Normal
OnTop           : False
CurrentPosition : {1635, 1089}
RunspaceID      : 28

The Output property is a sample using the specified format string.

Set-PSClock

Use this command to modify the settings of a running PSClock.

Set-PSClock -size 30 -color white -FontFamily 'Baskerville Old Face'

You can also increase the size by selecting the clock and using the + key. Decrease using the - key. Each change takes a second to be applied. You might need to "grab" the clock and move it slightly to ensure you have it selected.

If you only want to change the color, you can use PSReadLine to display a formatted list of color options. After the -Color parameter, press Ctrl+Space and answer Y.

Move the cursor to your selected choice and press Enter.

Stop-PSClock

Use this command to stop a running PSClock from the PowerShell prompt.

Stop-PSClock

You can also right-click the clock to dismiss it, or close and remove the runspace it is using. You can still use Get-PSClock which should now reflect that a clock is not running.

PS C:\> Get-PSClock

Running Format FontFamily           Size Weight Color Style  OnTop RunspaceID
------- ------ ----------           ---- ------ ----- -----  ----- ----------
False     G    Baskerville Old Face   30 Normal white Normal False

Font Preview

This module also includes a font preview utility. Run Show-FontPreview to display a WPF form that will let you preview different fonts.

You can use the arrow keys or buttons to navigate through the fonts. Press Ctrl+Q to quit or manually close the form.

Module Design

For more details about the module design and technical implementation, read the design document.

Related Modules

For a WPF-based countdown timer, take a look at the Start-PSCountdownTimer command in the PSTimers module.

Known Issues

There are no known issues at this time. Please post any bugs or feature requests in the Issues section of this repository.