Tools

Tools: Essential Guide: Monday Grind Blueprint #2: 80 Processes Explained, 3 Issues Targeted, 1 Week to Ship

2026-04-07 0 views admin
Tools: Essential Guide: Monday Grind Blueprint #2: 80 Processes Explained, 3 Issues Targeted, 1 Week to Ship

Nobody needs another AI feature.

Singleton instance They need to know if svchost.exe is safe or a virus.

I spent Easter weekend building something embarrassingly simple: a JSON file that explains what 80+ Windows processes actually do.Not machine learning. Not blockchain integration. Not "AI-powered insights."Just context.And it works better than I expected. The Problem: Task Manager Shows Data, Not UnderstandingOpen Task Manager right now. You'll see: svchost.exe — 6 instances, 800MB RAMdwm.exe — 40% CPU spikeRuntimeBroker.exe — Random activitySystem — Always at the top What do you do?Google "is svchost.exe a virus?"Read 10 forum threads.Still not sure.Maybe kill the process.Break something.PC_Workman now solves this in 0.5 seconds:Hover on svchost.exe in the chat →Service Host ProcessMicrosoft CorporationHosts Windows services. Multiple instances are normal.Power: Low-MediumSafety: Safe (part of Windows)CPU: 1-15% per instanceRAM: 50-200MB per instanceDone.No Google. No paranoia. Just facts. Easter Weekend: From "Too Tired" to "Shipped"Context:Week 1 at Żabka retail: 5:30 AM starts, solo store shifts by day 5, 20 zł/h (~$5/hour).Monday plan: Process library + timestamps + 2 articlesTuesday-Friday reality: Too exhausted to code after 9-hour shiftsSaturday-Sunday: Redemption arcWhat shipped: process_library.json — 80+ process definitionsprocess_library.py — Loader with lookupstooltip.py — Hover UI widgetIntegration in panel.py — Regex binding for chat Time: ~4 hours totalDifficulty: Medium (Tkinter events + regex)Impact: HIGH (users finally understand what processes are) What I Built: The Process Library SystemFile 1: process_library.json (The Data)Location: PC_Workman_HCK/data/process_library.jsonSize: 80+ definitions (will grow to 150+)Categories: System: explorer.exe, svchost.exe, dwm.exe, csrss.exeBrowsers: chrome.exe, firefox.exe, edge.exe, opera.exe, brave.exeGaming: steam.exe, valorant.exe, leagueoflegends.exe, fortnite.exe, minecraft.exeDevelopment: python.exe, node.exe, code.exe, docker.exe, git.exeCommunication: discord.exe, teams.exe, zoom.exe, slack.exeMedia: spotify.exe, vlc.exe, obs64.exe, photoshop.exeProductivity: excel.exe, word.exe, notion.exe, outlook.exeUtilities: 7zfm.exe, winrar.exe, everything.exeVirtualization: vmware.exe, virtualbox.exe Structure:json{ "chrome.exe": { "name": "Google Chrome", "vendor": "Google LLC", "category": "browser", "description": "Web browser. RAM usage increases with open tabs.", "power_usage": "high", "safety": "safe", "typical_cpu": "5-25%", "typical_ram": "200-800MB per window" }, "svchost.exe": { "name": "Service Host Process", "vendor": "Microsoft Corporation", "category": "system", "description": "Hosts Windows services. Multiple instances are normal.", "power_usage": "low_medium", "safety": "safe", "typical_cpu": "1-15% per instance", "typical_ram": "50-200MB per instance" }}No AI-generated descriptions. All written in plain English, human-verified. File 2: process_library.py (The Loader)Location: PC_Workman_HCK/hck_gpt/process_library.pyWhat it does: Loads JSON on startupProvides case-insensitive lookupsFormats tooltip text for display Implementation:pythonclass ProcessLibrary:` """Loads process definitions from JSON and provides lookups""" {info['description']} Power: {info['power_usage']}Safety: {info['safety']}CPU: {info['typical_cpu']}RAM: {info['typical_ram']}""" process_library = ProcessLibrary()`Why singleton? One load at startup, shared across all components. File 3: tooltip.py (The UI Widget)Location: PC_Workman_HCK/hck_gpt/tooltip.pyWhat it does: Creates borderless tooltip windowPositions near mouse cursorDisplays formatted process informationAuto-hides on mouse leave Implementation:pythonclass ProcessTooltip:` """Shows tooltip on hover over process names""" Positioning logic: +20px right, +10px down from cursor to avoid blocking text. File 4: panel.py (The Integration)Location: PC_Workman_HCK/hck_gpt/panel.pyWhat changed: Import process library:`pythonimport re try: from hck_gpt.process_library import process_library from hck_gpt.tooltip import ProcessTooltip HAS_PROCESS_LIBRARY = Trueexcept ImportError: HAS_PROCESS_LIBRARY = False print("[hck_GPT] Process library not available") Initialize tooltip in init: python# Tooltip systemself.tooltip = ProcessTooltip(parent) if HAS_PROCESS_LIBRARY else None Bind tooltips method: pythondef _bind_process_tooltips(self): """Scan chat text for process names and bind hover events""" if not HAS_PROCESS_LIBRARY or not self.tooltip: return Call after adding messages: pythondef add_message(self, msg): # ... add text to chat self._bind_process_tooltips() # Scan and bind`Regex pattern: r'\b\w+.exe\b' matches word boundaries + .exe extension (case-insensitive)Why unique tags? Same process can appear multiple times in chat — each occurrence needs separate hover binding. Why This MattersBefore process library:User: "epicgames.exe is using 40% CPU — is that normal?"Action: Google → Reddit → forum threads → paranoia → maybe kill processAfter process library:User hovers on epicgames.exe User: "Oh, it's updating games. That's fine."Result: Informed decision instead of guessing. This Week's Plan: 3 Issues from Roadmap 1.7.8Full roadmap: https://github.com/users/HuckleR2003/projects/3/views/2?pane=issue&itemId=166508113&issue=HuckleR2003%7CPC_Workman_HCK%7C17Total issues to v1.7.8: 17Selected for this week: 3 Issue #1: Missing tests, discussions, packaging No automated tests yetNeed discussion about update mechanismsPackaging strategy unclear Set up pytest frameworkCreate test suite for core modulesDiscuss auto-update vs manual download strategyDefine packaging requirements for Microsoft Store Why this matters: Community feedback = roadmap priorities Issue #2: [UI] Main dashboard button graphics redesign Current buttons functional but inconsistentNeed final visual style before Store submissionButton states (normal/hover/active) need polish Finalize button style guideRedesign primary controls (Start Monitoring, Settings, Reports)Implement hover animationsEnsure accessibility (contrast ratios, click targets) Why this matters: UI = first impression for new users Issue #3: [Code] Optimize hck_gpt/ modules Multiple small files in hck_gpt/ folderSome code duplicationPerformance could be better Analyze module dependenciesConsolidate related functionalityRemove duplicate codeProfile performance bottlenecksDocument optimization decisions Why this matters: Clean code = easier maintenance = faster feature development Build-in-Public PhilosophyWhy share the struggle?Because "I planned X, did Y" is more valuable than "look at my perfect progress."Week 1 reality: Monday: Ambitious planTuesday-Friday: Too tired after ŻabkaSaturday-Sunday: Catch-up sprintMonday: Selective focus on 3 issues Not shipping everything. Shipping what matters.The gap between plan and execution = the actual content. Current State & GoalsToday: Day job: Żabka retail (20 zł/h, 1-2 months bridge)Dev time: Weekends + evenings when possiblePC_Workman: v1.7.0 (process library shipped) Close 3 issues from roadmapBuild momentum toward v1.7.8 v1.7.8 feature-completeAll critical issues resolved Microsoft Store submissionPublic release v2.0 Exit Żabka → Junior dev role What's NextProcess library expansion: Target: 150+ definitions by v1.7.8Community contributions (submit PRs with process definitions)Auto-categorization for unknown processes (future) This week deliverables: Test framework setup + initial testsUI button redesign completedhck_gpt/ optimization documented Microsoft Store releaseCross-platform support (Linux, macOS)Process behavior learning (detect unusual patterns) Try It YourselfPC_Workman v1.7.0: GitHub: https://github.com/HuckleR2003/PC_Workman_HCKFree, open source, portable .exeWindows 10/11 JSON format (easy to extend)MIT licenseContributions welcome GitHub, here :)All my links here :) About the AuthorI’m Marcin Firmuga. Solo developer and founder of HCK_Labs. I created PC Workman , an open-source, AI-poweredPC resource monitorbuilt entirely from scratch on dying hardware during warehouseshifts in the Netherlands.This is the first time I’ve given one of my projects a real, dedicated home. Before this: game translations, PC technician internships, warehouse operations in multiple countries, and countless failed projects I never finished. But this one? This one stuck.800+ hours of code. 4 complete UI rebuilds. 16,000 lines deleted.3 AM all-nighters. Energy drinks and toast. And finally, an app I wouldn’t close in 5 seconds.

That’s the difference between building and shipping. PC_Workman is the result. Templates let you quickly answer FAQs or store snippets for re-use. Hide child comments as well For further actions, you may consider blocking this person and/or reporting abuse

Code Block

Copy

def __init__(self): self.processes = {} self._load_library() def _load_library(self): """Load process_library.json""" lib_path = os.path.join( os.path.dirname(__file__), '..', 'data', 'process_library.json' ) if os.path.exists(lib_path): with open(lib_path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f: self.processes = json.load(f) print(f"[ProcessLibrary] Loaded {len(self.processes)} process definitions") def get_process_info(self, process_name): """Case-insensitive lookup""" return self.processes.get(process_name.lower().strip()) def format_tooltip_text(self, process_name): """Format for display""" info = self.get_process_info(process_name) if not info: return None return f"""📦 {info['name']} def __init__(self): self.processes = {} self._load_library() def _load_library(self): """Load process_library.json""" lib_path = os.path.join( os.path.dirname(__file__), '..', 'data', 'process_library.json' ) if os.path.exists(lib_path): with open(lib_path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f: self.processes = json.load(f) print(f"[ProcessLibrary] Loaded {len(self.processes)} process definitions") def get_process_info(self, process_name): """Case-insensitive lookup""" return self.processes.get(process_name.lower().strip()) def format_tooltip_text(self, process_name): """Format for display""" info = self.get_process_info(process_name) if not info: return None return f"""📦 {info['name']} def __init__(self): self.processes = {} self._load_library() def _load_library(self): """Load process_library.json""" lib_path = os.path.join( os.path.dirname(__file__), '..', 'data', 'process_library.json' ) if os.path.exists(lib_path): with open(lib_path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f: self.processes = json.load(f) print(f"[ProcessLibrary] Loaded {len(self.processes)} process definitions") def get_process_info(self, process_name): """Case-insensitive lookup""" return self.processes.get(process_name.lower().strip()) def format_tooltip_text(self, process_name): """Format for display""" info = self.get_process_info(process_name) if not info: return None return f"""📦 {info['name']} def __init__(self, parent): self.parent = parent self.tooltip_window = None def show(self, event, process_name, tooltip_text): """Show tooltip at mouse position""" if not tooltip_text: return self.hide() # Destroy old tooltip # Create borderless window self.tooltip_window = tk.Toplevel(self.parent) self.tooltip_window.wm_overrideredirect(True) self.tooltip_window.wm_attributes("-topmost", True) # Position near mouse x = event.x_root + 20 y = event.y_root + 10 self.tooltip_window.wm_geometry(f"+{x}+{y}") # Styled frame + label frame = tk.Frame( self.tooltip_window, bg=THEME["bg_panel"], highlightbackground=THEME["accent2"], highlightthickness=2, padx=12, pady=8 ) frame.pack() label = tk.Label( frame, text=tooltip_text, bg=THEME["bg_panel"], fg=THEME["text"], font=("Consolas", 9), justify="left" ) label.pack() def hide(self): """Destroy tooltip""" if self.tooltip_window: self.tooltip_window.destroy() self.tooltip_window = None` def __init__(self, parent): self.parent = parent self.tooltip_window = None def show(self, event, process_name, tooltip_text): """Show tooltip at mouse position""" if not tooltip_text: return self.hide() # Destroy old tooltip # Create borderless window self.tooltip_window = tk.Toplevel(self.parent) self.tooltip_window.wm_overrideredirect(True) self.tooltip_window.wm_attributes("-topmost", True) # Position near mouse x = event.x_root + 20 y = event.y_root + 10 self.tooltip_window.wm_geometry(f"+{x}+{y}") # Styled frame + label frame = tk.Frame( self.tooltip_window, bg=THEME["bg_panel"], highlightbackground=THEME["accent2"], highlightthickness=2, padx=12, pady=8 ) frame.pack() label = tk.Label( frame, text=tooltip_text, bg=THEME["bg_panel"], fg=THEME["text"], font=("Consolas", 9), justify="left" ) label.pack() def hide(self): """Destroy tooltip""" if self.tooltip_window: self.tooltip_window.destroy() self.tooltip_window = None` def __init__(self, parent): self.parent = parent self.tooltip_window = None def show(self, event, process_name, tooltip_text): """Show tooltip at mouse position""" if not tooltip_text: return self.hide() # Destroy old tooltip # Create borderless window self.tooltip_window = tk.Toplevel(self.parent) self.tooltip_window.wm_overrideredirect(True) self.tooltip_window.wm_attributes("-topmost", True) # Position near mouse x = event.x_root + 20 y = event.y_root + 10 self.tooltip_window.wm_geometry(f"+{x}+{y}") # Styled frame + label frame = tk.Frame( self.tooltip_window, bg=THEME["bg_panel"], highlightbackground=THEME["accent2"], highlightthickness=2, padx=12, pady=8 ) frame.pack() label = tk.Label( frame, text=tooltip_text, bg=THEME["bg_panel"], fg=THEME["text"], font=("Consolas", 9), justify="left" ) label.pack() def hide(self): """Destroy tooltip""" if self.tooltip_window: self.tooltip_window.destroy() self.tooltip_window = None` # Get all text content = self.log.get("1.0", "end-1c") # Search for .exe patterns exe_pattern = r'\b\w+\.exe\b' for match in re.finditer(exe_pattern, content, re.IGNORECASE): process_name = match.group(0) # Check if process exists in library info = process_library.get_process_info(process_name) if info: # Create unique tag tag_name = f"process_{process_name}_{match.start()}" # Add tag to text # (Tkinter text index conversion logic here) self.log.tag_add(tag_name, start_pos, end_pos) # Style the tag (underline, color) self.log.tag_config( tag_name, foreground=THEME["accent2"], underline=True ) # Bind hover events tooltip_text = process_library.format_tooltip_text(process_name) self.log.tag_bind( tag_name, "<Enter>", lambda e, pn=process_name, tt=tooltip_text: self.tooltip.show(e, pn, tt) ) self.log.tag_bind( tag_name, "<Leave>", lambda e: self.tooltip.hide() ) # Get all text content = self.log.get("1.0", "end-1c") # Search for .exe patterns exe_pattern = r'\b\w+\.exe\b' for match in re.finditer(exe_pattern, content, re.IGNORECASE): process_name = match.group(0) # Check if process exists in library info = process_library.get_process_info(process_name) if info: # Create unique tag tag_name = f"process_{process_name}_{match.start()}" # Add tag to text # (Tkinter text index conversion logic here) self.log.tag_add(tag_name, start_pos, end_pos) # Style the tag (underline, color) self.log.tag_config( tag_name, foreground=THEME["accent2"], underline=True ) # Bind hover events tooltip_text = process_library.format_tooltip_text(process_name) self.log.tag_bind( tag_name, "<Enter>", lambda e, pn=process_name, tt=tooltip_text: self.tooltip.show(e, pn, tt) ) self.log.tag_bind( tag_name, "<Leave>", lambda e: self.tooltip.hide() ) # Get all text content = self.log.get("1.0", "end-1c") # Search for .exe patterns exe_pattern = r'\b\w+\.exe\b' for match in re.finditer(exe_pattern, content, re.IGNORECASE): process_name = match.group(0) # Check if process exists in library info = process_library.get_process_info(process_name) if info: # Create unique tag tag_name = f"process_{process_name}_{match.start()}" # Add tag to text # (Tkinter text index conversion logic here) self.log.tag_add(tag_name, start_pos, end_pos) # Style the tag (underline, color) self.log.tag_config( tag_name, foreground=THEME["accent2"], underline=True ) # Bind hover events tooltip_text = process_library.format_tooltip_text(process_name) self.log.tag_bind( tag_name, "<Enter>", lambda e, pn=process_name, tt=tooltip_text: self.tooltip.show(e, pn, tt) ) self.log.tag_bind( tag_name, "<Leave>", lambda e: self.tooltip.hide() ) Epic Games Launcher Epic Games, Inc. Game distribution platform. Updates games in background. Power: Medium-High Safety: Safe CPU: 10-40% (during updates) RAM: 300-800MB Epic Games Launcher Epic Games, Inc. Game distribution platform. Updates games in background. Power: Medium-High Safety: Safe CPU: 10-40% (during updates) RAM: 300-800MB Epic Games Launcher Epic Games, Inc. Game distribution platform. Updates games in background. Power: Medium-High Safety: Safe CPU: 10-40% (during updates) RAM: 300-800MB

🏷️ Tags

toolsutilitiessecurity toolsessentialguidemondaygrindblueprintprocessesexplained

More from Tools

Tools: The Genie Out of the Bottle / A.I.laddin's Lamp (2026)

Tools: The Genie Out of the Bottle / A.I.laddin's Lamp (2026)

2026-04-07 0
Tools: Need to Mirror an Image? Here's the Fastest Free Way - 2025 Update

Tools: Need to Mirror an Image? Here's the Fastest Free Way - 2025 Update

2026-04-07 0
Tools: I built a $10/month Claude API — here's the curl command - Full Analysis

Tools: I built a $10/month Claude API — here's the curl command - Full Analysis

2026-04-07 0
Tools: Your Node.js App Is Probably Killing Your PostgreSQL (Connection Pooling Explained) - Guide

Tools: Your Node.js App Is Probably Killing Your PostgreSQL (Connection Pooling Explained) - Guide

2026-04-07 0

Trending

1

CVE-2025-61481: Critical Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in MikroTik RouterOS & SwitchOS

2025-10-27 • 189 views
2

CVE-2025-43939: Dell Unity OS Command Injection (High)

2025-10-30 • 148 views
3

Google disputes false claims of massive Gmail data breach

2025-10-30 • 130 views
4

Microsoft: DNS outage impacts Azure and Microsoft 365 services

2025-10-30 • 88 views
5

3.5B Accounts, 1 Critical Flaw: Meta Closes WhatsApp Data-Harvesting

2025-11-25 • 81 views