Architecture

SwiftList employs a multi-process separated architecture consisting of "System Service for Indexing + Hook Process for Input Interception + Application for UI Presentation".

Process Responsibilities

SwiftList.Service (Indexer Mode - SYSTEM Privilege)

• Responsibilities: High-performance background indexer daemon.
• Scans local NTFS drive MFT and monitors USN Journal.
• Keeps the RuntimeIndex resident in memory for lightning-fast matching.
• Hosts the Named Pipe server ("SwiftListPipe").
• System-Wide Shared: DB and memory structures are system-wide unique.

SwiftList.Service (Hook Mode - User Privilege)

• Responsibilities: System-wide input hook and window focus tracker (runs via Service.exe --hook).
• Registers and intercepts Windows global keyboard hotkeys to trigger quick activation.
• Monitors explorer windows and active terminals via Win32 hooks to track physical paths in real time.
• Hosts a session-local Named Pipe server to communicate hook inputs back to the App.
• Session Bound: Starts and executes independently inside each logged-in user's desktop session.

SwiftList.App (User Privilege)

• Provides a lightweight WPF query window, handling user input and search result rendering.
• Sends SearchRequestMessage to the Service, and retrieves user-customized search results isolated by AsyncLocal.
• Loads user-specific plugins such as custom alias extensions.