App Actions on Windows have officially expanded to include Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), marking a significant step forward for developers and users alike. With the rollout beginning from Edge version 137, developers can now publish their PWAs to the Microsoft Store, unlocking the potential for enhanced user interactions through App Actions.
Integrating your app smoothly with user workflows
In our increasingly multitasking world, users often find themselves juggling multiple applications for tasks such as text editing, image processing, or file management. This constant switching can lead to distractions and a loss of focus. App Actions aim to alleviate this friction by allowing users to access key features of an app directly from their current context.
Take, for instance, Goodnotes, a widely-used note-taking application developed as a PWA. By implementing App Actions, Goodnotes enables users to seamlessly select text from an article and send it directly to the app as a quick note, all without the need to manually toggle between windows. This streamlined approach not only enhances productivity but also fosters greater engagement and discovery for the app.
Enable App Actions in your Microsoft Store PWA
For developers eager to integrate the App Actions framework into their Microsoft Store PWAs, the process is straightforward. Comprehensive documentation is available at Enable App Actions on Windows for a PWA, but here’s a brief overview of the steps involved:
- Define an Action manifest: Create a simple JSON file that outlines each action.
- Setup a custom protocol handler: This allows the App Actions runtime to launch your PWA via a protocol URI.
- Setup your app as a share target: This enables the App Actions runtime to pass input data to your PWA.
- Package your app for Microsoft Store: Utilize PWABuilder for this step.
And that’s all there is to it. For those looking to refine their user experience further, you can optionally define a PWA launch handler to dictate how your PWA is initiated by the framework, and test your actions using the App Actions Testing Playground.
The anticipation is palpable as we look forward to witnessing the innovative ways developers will leverage App Actions to enhance user satisfaction and engagement.
