feat: Added command line interface support (#1172)

System design has been discussed on discord

Should fix #948

---------

Co-authored-by: WerWolv <werwolv98@gmail.com>

cmake/build_helpers.cmake

@@ -100,7 +100,6 @@ macro(configurePackingResources)
     if (WIN32)
         set(APPLICATION_TYPE)
         set(IMHEX_ICON "${IMHEX_BASE_FOLDER}/resources/resource.rc")
-        set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -Wl,-subsystem,windows")
 
         if (CREATE_PACKAGE)
             set(CPACK_GENERATOR "WIX")

lib/libimhex/CMakeLists.txt

@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ set(LIBIMHEX_SOURCES
         source/ui/imgui_imhex_extensions.cpp
         source/ui/view.cpp
         source/ui/popup.cpp
+
+        source/subcommands/subcommands.cpp
 )
 
 if (APPLE)

lib/libimhex/include/hex/api/event.hpp

@@ -232,4 +232,10 @@ namespace hex {
     EVENT_DEF(RequestOpenInfoPopup, const std::string);
     EVENT_DEF(RequestOpenErrorPopup, const std::string);
     EVENT_DEF(RequestOpenFatalPopup, const std::string);
+
+
+    /**
+     * @brief Send an event to the main Imhex instance
+     */
+    EVENT_DEF(SendMessageToMainInstance, const std::string, const std::vector<u8>&);
 }

lib/libimhex/include/hex/api/imhex_api.hpp

@@ -322,7 +322,10 @@ namespace hex {
         /* Functions to interact with various ImHex system settings */
         namespace System {
 
+            bool isMainInstance();
+
             namespace impl {
+                void setMainInstanceStatus(bool status);
 
                 void setMainWindowPosition(i32 x, i32 y);
                 void setMainWindowSize(u32 width, u32 height);
@@ -331,8 +334,6 @@ namespace hex {
                 void setGlobalScale(float scale);
                 void setNativeScale(float scale);
 
-                void setProgramArguments(int argc, char **argv, char **envp);
-
                 void setBorderlessWindowMode(bool enabled);
 
                 void setCustomFontPath(const std::fs::path &path);
@@ -383,20 +384,6 @@ namespace hex {
             void setTaskBarProgress(TaskProgressState state, TaskProgressType type, u32 progress);
 
 
-            /**
-             * @brief Gets the current program arguments
-             * @return The current program arguments
-             */
-            const ProgramArguments &getProgramArguments();
-
-            /**
-             * @brief Gets a program argument
-             * @param index The index of the argument to get
-             * @return The argument at the given index
-             */
-            std::optional<std::u8string> getProgramArgument(int index);
-
-
             /**
              * @brief Gets the current target FPS
              * @return The current target FPS
@@ -545,6 +532,26 @@ namespace hex {
             std::string getCommitBranch();
         }
 
+        /**
+         * @brief Cross-instance messaging system
+         * This allows you to send messages to the "main" instance of ImHex running, from any other instance
+         */
+        namespace Messaging {
+            
+            namespace impl {
+                using MessagingHandler = std::function<void(const std::vector<u8> &)>;
+
+                std::map<std::string, MessagingHandler> &getHandlers();
+
+                void runHandler(const std::string &eventName, const std::vector<u8> &args);
+            }
+
+            /**
+             * @brief Register the handler for this specific event name
+             */
+            void registerHandler(const std::string &eventName, const impl::MessagingHandler &handler);
+        }
+
     }
 
 }

lib/libimhex/include/hex/api/plugin_manager.hpp

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include <hex/helpers/fmt.hpp>
 #include <hex/helpers/fs.hpp>
 
+#include <span>
 #include <string>
 
 #if defined(OS_WINDOWS)
@@ -17,6 +18,17 @@ struct ImGuiContext;
 
 namespace hex {
 
+    struct SubCommand {
+        std::string commandKey;
+        std::string commandDesc;
+        std::function<void(const std::vector<std::string>&)> callback;
+    };
+
+    struct SubCommandList {
+        hex::SubCommand *subCommands;
+        size_t size;
+    };
+
     class Plugin {
     public:
         explicit Plugin(const std::fs::path &path);
@@ -36,6 +48,8 @@ namespace hex {
 
         [[nodiscard]] bool isLoaded() const;
 
+        [[nodiscard]] std::span<SubCommand> getSubCommands() const;
+
     private:
         using InitializePluginFunc     = void (*)();
         using GetPluginNameFunc        = const char *(*)();
@@ -44,6 +58,7 @@ namespace hex {
         using GetCompatibleVersionFunc = const char *(*)();
         using SetImGuiContextFunc      = void (*)(ImGuiContext *);
         using IsBuiltinPluginFunc      = bool (*)();
+        using GetSubCommandsFunc       = SubCommandList* (*)();
 
         #if defined(OS_WINDOWS)
             HMODULE m_handle = nullptr;
@@ -61,6 +76,7 @@ namespace hex {
         GetCompatibleVersionFunc m_getCompatibleVersionFunction = nullptr;
         SetImGuiContextFunc m_setImGuiContextFunction           = nullptr;
         IsBuiltinPluginFunc m_isBuiltinPluginFunction           = nullptr;
+        GetSubCommandsFunc m_getSubCommandsFunction             = nullptr;
 
         template<typename T>
         [[nodiscard]] auto getPluginFunction(const std::string &symbol) {

lib/libimhex/include/hex/plugin.hpp

@@ -1,9 +1,14 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include <string>
+
 #include <imgui.h>
 #include <imgui_internal.h>
 
 #include <hex.hpp>
+#include <hex/api/plugin_manager.hpp>
+
+#include <wolv/utils/string.hpp>
 
 /**
  * This macro is used to define all the required entry points for a plugin.
@@ -21,3 +26,23 @@
         GImGui = ctx;                                                                                      \
     }                                                                                                      \
     extern "C" [[gnu::visibility("default")]] void initializePlugin()
+
+/**
+ * This macro is used to define subcommands defined by the plugin
+ * A subcommand consists of a key, a description, and a callback
+ * The key is what the first argument to ImHex should be, prefixed by `--`
+ * For example, if the key if `help`, ImHex should be started with `--help` as its first argument to trigger the subcommand
+ * when the subcommand is triggerred, it's callback will be executed. The callback is executed BEFORE most of ImHex initialization
+ * so to do anything meaningful, you should subscribe to an event (like EventImHexStartupFinished) and run your code there.
+ */
+#define IMHEX_PLUGIN_SUBCOMMANDS() IMHEX_PLUGIN_SUBCOMMANDS_IMPL()
+
+#define IMHEX_PLUGIN_SUBCOMMANDS_IMPL()                                                 \
+    extern std::vector<hex::SubCommand> g_subCommands;                                  \
+    extern "C" [[gnu::visibility("default")]] hex::SubCommandList getSubCommands() {    \
+        return hex::SubCommandList {                                                    \
+            g_subCommands.data(),                                                       \
+            g_subCommands.size()                                                        \
+        };                                                                              \
+    }                                                                                   \
+    std::vector<hex::SubCommand> g_subCommands

lib/libimhex/include/hex/subcommands/subcommands.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include<vector>
+#include<string>
+#include<functional>
+
+namespace hex::subcommands {
+    /**
+     * @brief Internal method - takes all the arguments ImHex received from the command line,
+     * and determine which subcommands to run, with which arguments.
+     * In some cases, the subcommand or this function directly might exit the program
+     * (e.g. --help, or when forwarding providers to open to another instance)
+     * and so this function might not return
+     */
+    void processArguments(const std::vector<std::string> &args);
+
+    
+    /**
+     * @brief Forward the given command to the main instance (might be this instance)
+     * The callback will be executed after EventImHexStartupFinished
+     */
+    void forwardSubCommand(const std::string &cmdName, const std::vector<std::string> &args);
+
+    using ForwardCommandHandler = std::function<void(const std::vector<std::string> &)>;
+    
+    /**
+     * @brief Register the handler for this specific command name
+     */
+    void registerSubCommand(const std::string &cmdName, const ForwardCommandHandler &handler);
+}

lib/libimhex/source/api/imhex_api.cpp

@@ -335,8 +335,16 @@ namespace hex {
 
     namespace ImHexApi::System {
 
+
         namespace impl {
 
+            // default to true means we forward to ourselves by default
+            static bool s_isMainInstance = true;
+
+            void setMainInstanceStatus(bool status) {
+                s_isMainInstance = status;
+            }
+
             static ImVec2 s_mainWindowPos;
             static ImVec2 s_mainWindowSize;
             void setMainWindowPosition(i32 x, i32 y) {
@@ -364,13 +372,6 @@ namespace hex {
             }
 
 
-            static ProgramArguments s_programArguments;
-            void setProgramArguments(int argc, char **argv, char **envp) {
-                s_programArguments.argc = argc;
-                s_programArguments.argv = argv;
-                s_programArguments.envp = envp;
-            }
-
             static bool s_borderlessWindowMode;
             void setBorderlessWindowMode(bool enabled) {
                 s_borderlessWindowMode = enabled;
@@ -405,6 +406,10 @@ namespace hex {
 
         }
 
+        bool isMainInstance() {
+            return impl::s_isMainInstance;
+        }
+
         void closeImHex(bool noQuestions) {
             EventManager::post<RequestCloseImHex>(noQuestions);
         }
@@ -418,25 +423,6 @@ namespace hex {
             EventManager::post<EventSetTaskBarIconState>(u32(state), u32(type), progress);
         }
 
-        const ProgramArguments &getProgramArguments() {
-            return impl::s_programArguments;
-        }
-
-        std::optional<std::u8string> getProgramArgument(int index) {
-            if (index >= impl::s_programArguments.argc) {
-                return std::nullopt;
-            }
-
-            #if defined(OS_WINDOWS)
-                std::wstring wideArg = ::CommandLineToArgvW(::GetCommandLineW(), &impl::s_programArguments.argc)[index];
-                std::string byteArg = std::wstring_convert<std::codecvt_utf8_utf16<wchar_t>, wchar_t>().to_bytes(wideArg);
-
-                return std::u8string(byteArg.begin(), byteArg.end());
-            #else
-                return std::u8string(reinterpret_cast<const char8_t *>(impl::s_programArguments.argv[index]));
-            #endif
-        }
-
 
         static float s_targetFPS = 14.0F;
 
@@ -621,4 +607,36 @@ namespace hex {
 
     }
 
+    namespace ImHexApi::Messaging {
+
+        namespace impl {
+
+            std::map<std::string, MessagingHandler> &getHandlers() {
+                static std::map<std::string, MessagingHandler> handlers;
+
+                return handlers;
+            }
+
+            void runHandler(const std::string &eventName, const std::vector<u8> &args) {
+                const auto& handlers = impl::getHandlers();
+                auto matchHandler = handlers.find(eventName);
+                
+                if (matchHandler == handlers.end()) {
+                    log::error("Forward event handler {} not found", eventName);
+                } else {
+                    matchHandler->second(args);
+                }
+
+            }
+
+        }
+
+        void registerHandler(const std::string &eventName, const impl::MessagingHandler &handler) {
+            log::debug("Registered new forward event handler: {}", eventName);
+
+            impl::getHandlers().insert({ eventName, handler });
+        }
+
+    }
+
 }

lib/libimhex/source/api/plugin_manager.cpp

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ namespace hex {
         this->m_getCompatibleVersionFunction = getPluginFunction<GetCompatibleVersionFunc>("getCompatibleVersion");
         this->m_setImGuiContextFunction      = getPluginFunction<SetImGuiContextFunc>("setImGuiContext");
         this->m_isBuiltinPluginFunction      = getPluginFunction<IsBuiltinPluginFunc>("isBuiltinPlugin");
+        this->m_getSubCommandsFunction       = getPluginFunction<GetSubCommandsFunc>("getSubCommands");
     }
 
     Plugin::Plugin(Plugin &&other) noexcept {
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@ namespace hex {
         this->m_getCompatibleVersionFunction = other.m_getCompatibleVersionFunction;
         this->m_setImGuiContextFunction      = other.m_setImGuiContextFunction;
         this->m_isBuiltinPluginFunction      = other.m_isBuiltinPluginFunction;
+        this->m_getSubCommandsFunction       = other.m_getSubCommandsFunction;
 
         other.m_handle                       = nullptr;
         other.m_initializePluginFunction     = nullptr;
@@ -57,6 +59,7 @@ namespace hex {
         other.m_getCompatibleVersionFunction = nullptr;
         other.m_setImGuiContextFunction      = nullptr;
         other.m_isBuiltinPluginFunction      = nullptr;
+        other.m_getSubCommandsFunction       = nullptr;
     }
 
     Plugin::~Plugin() {
@@ -141,6 +144,14 @@ namespace hex {
         return this->m_initialized;
     }
 
+    std::span<SubCommand> Plugin::getSubCommands() const {
+        if (this->m_getSubCommandsFunction != nullptr) {
+            auto result = this->m_getSubCommandsFunction();
+            return { result->subCommands, result->size };
+        } else
+            return { };
+    }
+
 
     void *Plugin::getPluginFunction(const std::string &symbol) {
         #if defined(OS_WINDOWS)

lib/libimhex/source/subcommands/subcommands.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+#include<iostream>
+#include<numeric>
+#include<string_view>
+#include<ranges>
+#include<stdlib.h>
+
+#include "hex/subcommands/subcommands.hpp"
+
+#include <hex/api/event.hpp>
+#include <hex/api/plugin_manager.hpp>
+#include <hex/api/imhex_api.hpp>
+#include <hex/helpers/logger.hpp>
+
+namespace hex::subcommands {
+
+    std::optional<SubCommand> findSubCommand(const std::string &arg) {
+        for (auto &plugin : PluginManager::getPlugins()) {
+            for (auto &subCommand : plugin.getSubCommands()) {
+                if (hex::format("--{}", subCommand.commandKey) == arg) {
+                    return subCommand;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        return std::nullopt;
+    }
+
+    void processArguments(const std::vector<std::string> &args) {
+        // If no arguments, do not even try to process arguments
+        // (important because this function will exit ImHex if an instance is already opened,
+        // and we don't want that if no arguments were provided)
+        if (args.empty()) return;
+
+        std::vector<std::pair<SubCommand, std::vector<std::string>>> subCommands;
+
+        auto argsIter = args.begin();
+
+        // get subcommand associated with the first argument
+        std::optional<SubCommand> currentSubCommand = findSubCommand(*argsIter);
+
+        if (currentSubCommand) {
+            argsIter++;
+            // if it is a valid subcommand, remove it from the argument list
+        } else {
+            // if no (valid) subcommand was provided, the default one is --open
+            currentSubCommand = findSubCommand("--open");
+        }
+
+        // arguments of the current subcommand
+        std::vector<std::string> currentSubCommandArgs;
+
+        // compute all subcommands to run
+        while (argsIter != args.end()) {
+            const std::string &arg = *argsIter;
+
+            if (arg == "--othercmd") {
+                // save command to run
+                if (currentSubCommand) {
+                    subCommands.push_back({*currentSubCommand, currentSubCommandArgs});
+                }
+
+                currentSubCommand = std::nullopt;
+                currentSubCommandArgs = { };
+
+            } else if (currentSubCommand) {
+                // add current argument to the current command
+                currentSubCommandArgs.push_back(arg);
+            } else { 
+                // get next subcommand from current argument
+                currentSubCommand = findSubCommand(arg);
+                if (!currentSubCommand) {
+                    log::error("No subcommand named '{}' found", arg);
+                    exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
+                }
+            }
+
+            argsIter++;
+        }
+
+        // save last command to run
+        if (currentSubCommand) {
+            subCommands.push_back({*currentSubCommand, currentSubCommandArgs});
+        }
+
+        // run the subcommands
+        for (auto& subCommandPair : subCommands) {
+            subCommandPair.first.callback(subCommandPair.second);
+        }
+
+        // exit the process if its not the main instance (the commands have been forwarded to another instance)
+        if (!ImHexApi::System::isMainInstance()) {
+            exit(0);
+        }
+    }
+
+    void forwardSubCommand(const std::string &cmdName, const std::vector<std::string> &args) {
+        log::debug("Forwarding subcommand {} (maybe to us)", cmdName);
+        std::string dataStr = std::accumulate(args.begin(), args.end(), std::string("\0"));
+
+        std::vector<u8> data(dataStr.begin(), dataStr.end());
+        
+        EventManager::post<SendMessageToMainInstance>(hex::format("command/{}", cmdName), data);
+    }
+
+    void registerSubCommand(const std::string &cmdName, const ForwardCommandHandler &handler) {
+        log::debug("Registered new forward command handler: {}", cmdName);
+
+        ImHexApi::Messaging::impl::getHandlers().insert({ hex::format("command/{}", cmdName), [handler](const std::vector<u8> &eventData){
+            std::string str((const char*) eventData.data(), eventData.size());
+
+            std::vector<std::string> args;
+
+            for (const auto &arg_view : std::views::split(str, '\0')) {
+                std::string arg(arg_view.data(), arg_view.size());
+                args.push_back(arg);
+            }
+
+            handler(args);
+        }});
+    }
+}

main/CMakeLists.txt

@@ -9,6 +9,11 @@ add_executable(main ${APPLICATION_TYPE}
     source/window/macos_window.cpp
     source/window/linux_window.cpp
 
+    source/messaging/common.cpp
+    source/messaging/linux.cpp
+    source/messaging/macos.cpp
+    source/messaging/win.cpp
+
     source/init/splash_window.cpp
     source/init/tasks.cpp
 

main/include/messaging.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include<string>
+#include<vector>
+
+#include<hex/helpers/types.hpp>
+
+/**
+ * Cross-instance (cross-process) messaging system
+ * As of now, this system may not be stable for use beyond its current use:
+ * forwarding providers opened in new instances
+ */
+namespace hex::messaging {
+
+    /**
+     * @brief Setup everything to be able to send/receive messages
+     */
+    void setupMessaging();
+
+    /**
+     * @brief Internal method - setup platform-specific things to be able to send messages
+     * @return if this instance has been determined to be the main instance
+     */
+    bool setupNative();
+
+    /**
+     * @brief Internal method - send a message to another Imhex instance in a platform-specific way
+     */
+    void sendToOtherInstance(const std::string &eventName, const std::vector<u8> &args);
+    
+    /**
+     * @brief Internal method - called by platform-specific code when a event has been received
+     */
+    void messageReceived(const std::string &eventName, const std::vector<u8> &args);
+}

main/source/init/tasks.cpp

@@ -357,6 +357,7 @@ namespace hex::init {
         ImHexApi::HexEditor::impl::getTooltipFunctions().clear();
         ImHexApi::System::getAdditionalFolderPaths().clear();
         ImHexApi::System::getCustomFontPath().clear();
+        ImHexApi::Messaging::impl::getHandlers().clear();
 
         ContentRegistry::Settings::impl::getEntries().clear();
         ContentRegistry::Settings::impl::getSettingsData().clear();
@@ -418,11 +419,6 @@ namespace hex::init {
     }
 
     bool loadPlugins() {
-        // Load plugins
-        for (const auto &dir : fs::getDefaultPaths(fs::ImHexPath::Plugins)) {
-            PluginManager::load(dir);
-        }
-
         // Get loaded plugins
         auto &plugins = PluginManager::getPlugins();
 

main/source/main.cpp

@@ -4,20 +4,41 @@
 
 #include "window.hpp"
 #include "crash_handlers.hpp"
+#include "messaging.hpp"
 
 #include "init/splash_window.hpp"
 #include "init/tasks.hpp"
 
 #include <hex/api/task.hpp>
 #include <hex/api/project_file_manager.hpp>
+#include <hex/api/plugin_manager.hpp>
+#include <hex/api/content_registry.hpp>
+#include <hex/helpers/fs.hpp>
+#include "hex/subcommands/subcommands.hpp"
 
 #include <wolv/io/fs.hpp>
 #include <wolv/utils/guards.hpp>
 
+using namespace hex;
+
+void loadPlugins() {
+    for (const auto &dir : fs::getDefaultPaths(fs::ImHexPath::Plugins)) {
+        PluginManager::load(dir);
+    }
+}
+
 int main(int argc, char **argv, char **envp) {
-    using namespace hex;
+    Window::initNative();
+
     hex::crash::setupCrashHandlers();
-    ImHexApi::System::impl::setProgramArguments(argc, argv, envp);
+    hex::unused(envp);
+
+    std::vector<std::string> args(argv + 1, argv + argc);
+
+    loadPlugins();
+
+    hex::messaging::setupMessaging();
+    hex::subcommands::processArguments(args);
 
     // Check if ImHex is installed in portable mode
     {
@@ -30,14 +51,14 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv, char **envp) {
     }
 
     bool shouldRestart = false;
+    // Register an event to handle restarting of ImHex
+    EventManager::subscribe<RequestRestartImHex>([&]{ shouldRestart = true; });
+
     do {
-        // Register an event to handle restarting of ImHex
-        EventManager::subscribe<RequestRestartImHex>([&]{ shouldRestart = true; });
         shouldRestart = false;
 
         // Initialization
         {
-            Window::initNative();
 
             log::info("Welcome to ImHex {}!", ImHexApi::System::getImHexVersion());
             log::info("Compiled using commit {}@{}", ImHexApi::System::getCommitBranch(), ImHexApi::System::getCommitHash());
@@ -69,14 +90,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv, char **envp) {
         // Main window
         {
             Window window;
-            if (argc == 1)
-                ;    // No arguments provided
-            else if (argc >= 2) {
-                for (auto i = 1; i < argc; i++) {
-                    if (auto argument = ImHexApi::System::getProgramArgument(i); argument.has_value())
-                        EventManager::post<RequestOpenFile>(argument.value());
-                }
-            }
 
             // Open file that has been requested to be opened through other, OS-specific means
             if (auto path = hex::getInitialFilePath(); path.has_value()) {

main/source/messaging/common.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+#include <optional>
+
+#include <hex/api/imhex_api.hpp>
+#include <hex/api/event.hpp>
+#include <hex/helpers/logger.hpp>
+
+#include "messaging.hpp"
+
+namespace hex::messaging {
+
+    void messageReceived(const std::string &eventName, const std::vector<u8> &eventData) {
+        log::debug("Received event '{}' with size {}", eventName, eventData.size());
+        ImHexApi::Messaging::impl::runHandler(eventName, eventData);
+    }
+
+    void setupEvents() {
+        EventManager::subscribe<SendMessageToMainInstance>([](const std::string eventName, const std::vector<u8> &eventData) {
+            log::debug("Forwarding message {} (maybe to us)", eventName);
+            if (ImHexApi::System::isMainInstance()) {
+                EventManager::subscribe<EventImHexStartupFinished>([eventName, eventData](){
+                    ImHexApi::Messaging::impl::runHandler(eventName, eventData);
+                });
+            } else {
+                sendToOtherInstance(eventName, eventData);
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
+    void setupMessaging() {
+        ImHexApi::System::impl::setMainInstanceStatus(setupNative());
+        setupEvents();
+    }
+}

main/source/messaging/linux.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+#if defined(OS_LINUX)
+
+#include<stdexcept>
+
+#include <hex/helpers/intrinsics.hpp>
+#include <hex/helpers/logger.hpp>
+
+#include "messaging.hpp"
+
+namespace hex::messaging {
+
+    void sendToOtherInstance(const std::string &eventName, const std::vector<u8> &args) {
+        hex::unused(eventName);
+        hex::unused(args);
+        log::error("Not implemented function sendToOtherInstance() called");
+    }
+    
+    // Not implemented, so lets say we are the main instance every time so events are forwarded to ourselves
+    bool setupNative() {
+        return true;
+    }
+}
+
+#endif

main/source/messaging/macos.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+#if defined(OS_MACOS)
+
+#include<stdexcept>
+
+#include <hex/helpers/intrinsics.hpp>
+#include <hex/helpers/logger.hpp>
+
+#include "messaging.hpp"
+
+namespace hex::messaging {
+
+    void sendToOtherInstance(const std::string &eventName, const std::vector<u8> &args) {
+        hex::unused(eventName);
+        hex::unused(args);
+        log::error("Not implemented function sendToOtherInstance() called");
+    }
+
+    // Not implemented, so lets say we are the main instance every time so events are forwarded to ourselves
+    bool setupNative() {
+        return true;
+    }
+}
+
+#endif

main/source/messaging/win.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+#if defined(OS_WINDOWS)
+
+#include "messaging.hpp"
+
+#include <hex/api/imhex_api.hpp>
+#include <hex/helpers/logger.hpp>
+
+#include <windows.h>
+
+namespace hex::messaging {
+
+    std::optional<HWND> getImHexWindow() {
+
+        HWND imhexWindow = 0;
+        
+        ::EnumWindows([](HWND hWnd, LPARAM ret) -> BOOL {
+            // Get the window name
+            auto length = ::GetWindowTextLength(hWnd);
+            std::string windowName(length + 1, '\x00');
+            ::GetWindowText(hWnd, windowName.data(), windowName.size());
+
+            // Check if the window is visible and if it's an ImHex window
+            if (::IsWindowVisible(hWnd) == TRUE && length != 0) {
+                if (windowName.starts_with("ImHex")) {
+                    // it's our window, return it and stop iteration
+                    *reinterpret_cast<HWND*>(ret) = hWnd;
+                    return FALSE;
+                }
+            }
+
+            // continue iteration
+            return TRUE;
+
+        }, reinterpret_cast<LPARAM>(&imhexWindow));
+
+        if (imhexWindow == 0) return { };
+        else return imhexWindow;
+    }
+
+    void sendToOtherInstance(const std::string &eventName, const std::vector<u8> &eventData) {
+        log::debug("Sending event {} to another instance (not us)", eventName);
+
+        // Get the window we want to send it to
+        HWND imHexWindow = *getImHexWindow();
+
+        // Create the message
+        // TODO actually send all arguments and not just the eventName
+        
+        std::vector<u8> fulleventData(eventName.begin(), eventName.end());
+        fulleventData.push_back('\0');
+
+        fulleventData.insert(fulleventData.end(), eventData.begin(), eventData.end());
+        
+        u8 *data = &fulleventData[0];
+        DWORD dataSize = static_cast<DWORD>(fulleventData.size());
+
+        COPYDATASTRUCT message = {
+            .dwData = 0,
+            .cbData = dataSize,
+            .lpData = data
+        };
+
+        // Send the message
+        SendMessage(imHexWindow, WM_COPYDATA, reinterpret_cast<WPARAM>(imHexWindow), reinterpret_cast<LPARAM>(&message));
+
+    }
+
+    bool setupNative() {
+
+        constexpr static auto UniqueMutexId = "ImHex/a477ea68-e334-4d07-a439-4f159c683763";
+
+        // check if an ImHex instance is already running by opening a global mutex
+        HANDLE globalMutex = OpenMutex(MUTEX_ALL_ACCESS, FALSE, UniqueMutexId);
+        if (globalMutex == nullptr) {
+            // If no ImHex instance is running, create a new global mutex
+            globalMutex = CreateMutex(nullptr, FALSE, UniqueMutexId);
+            return true;
+        } else {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#endif

main/source/window/win_window.cpp

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 #include "window.hpp"
 
+#include "messaging.hpp"
+
 #include <hex/api/content_registry.hpp>
 
 #if defined(OS_WINDOWS)
@@ -53,12 +55,28 @@ namespace hex {
                 auto message = reinterpret_cast<COPYDATASTRUCT *>(lParam);
                 if (message == nullptr) break;
 
-                auto data = reinterpret_cast<const char8_t *>(message->lpData);
-                if (data == nullptr) break;
+                ssize_t nullIndex = -1;
 
-                std::fs::path path = data;
-                log::info("Opening file in existing instance: {}", wolv::util::toUTF8String(path));
-                EventManager::post<RequestOpenFile>(path);
+                char* messageData = reinterpret_cast<char*>(message->lpData);
+                size_t messageSize = message->cbData;
+
+                for (size_t i = 0; i < messageSize; i++) {
+                    if (messageData[i] == '\0') {
+                        nullIndex = i;
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+
+                if (nullIndex == -1) {
+                    log::warn("Received invalid forwarded event");
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                std::string eventName(messageData, nullIndex);
+
+                std::vector<u8> eventData(messageData + nullIndex + 1, messageData + messageSize);
+
+                hex::messaging::messageReceived(eventName, eventData);
                 break;
             }
             case WM_SETTINGCHANGE: {
@@ -214,6 +232,24 @@ namespace hex {
 
 
     void Window::initNative() {
+        HWND consoleWindow = ::GetConsoleWindow();
+        DWORD processId = 0;
+        ::GetWindowThreadProcessId(consoleWindow, &processId);
+        if (GetCurrentProcessId() == processId) {
+            ShowWindow(consoleWindow, SW_HIDE);
+            FreeConsole();
+            log::impl::redirectToFile();
+        } else {
+            auto hConsole = ::GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);
+            if (hConsole != INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
+                DWORD mode = 0;
+                if (::GetConsoleMode(hConsole, &mode) == TRUE) {
+                    mode |= ENABLE_VIRTUAL_TERMINAL_PROCESSING | ENABLE_PROCESSED_OUTPUT;
+                    ::SetConsoleMode(hConsole, mode);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
         ImHexApi::System::impl::setBorderlessWindowMode(true);
 
         // Add plugin library folders to dll search path
@@ -226,83 +262,6 @@ namespace hex {
         // We redirect stderr to NUL to prevent this
         freopen("NUL:", "w", stderr);
         setvbuf(stderr, nullptr, _IONBF, 0);
-
-        // Attach to parent console if one exists
-        bool result = AttachConsole(ATTACH_PARENT_PROCESS) == TRUE;
-
-        #if defined(DEBUG)
-            if (::GetLastError() == ERROR_INVALID_HANDLE) {
-                result = AllocConsole() == TRUE;
-            }
-        #endif
-
-        if (result) {
-            // Redirect stdin and stdout to that new console
-            freopen("CONIN$", "r", stdin);
-            freopen("CONOUT$", "w", stdout);
-            setvbuf(stdin, nullptr, _IONBF, 0);
-            setvbuf(stdout, nullptr, _IONBF, 0);
-
-            fmt::print("\n");
-
-            // Enable color format specifiers in console
-            {
-                auto hConsole = ::GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);
-                if (hConsole != INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
-                    DWORD mode = 0;
-                    if (::GetConsoleMode(hConsole, &mode) == TRUE) {
-                        mode |= ENABLE_VIRTUAL_TERMINAL_PROCESSING | ENABLE_PROCESSED_OUTPUT;
-                        ::SetConsoleMode(hConsole, mode);
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        } else {
-            log::impl::redirectToFile();
-        }
-
-        // Open new files in already existing ImHex instance
-        constexpr static auto UniqueMutexId = "ImHex/a477ea68-e334-4d07-a439-4f159c683763";
-
-        HANDLE globalMutex = OpenMutex(MUTEX_ALL_ACCESS, FALSE, UniqueMutexId);
-        if (globalMutex == nullptr) {
-            // If no ImHex instance is running, create a new global mutex
-            globalMutex = CreateMutex(nullptr, FALSE, UniqueMutexId);
-        } else {
-            // If an ImHex instance is already running, send the file path to it and exit
-
-            if (ImHexApi::System::getProgramArguments().argc > 1) {
-                // Find the ImHex Window and send the file path as a message to it
-                ::EnumWindows([](HWND hWnd, LPARAM) -> BOOL {
-                    auto &programArgs = ImHexApi::System::getProgramArguments();
-
-                    // Get the window name
-                    auto length = ::GetWindowTextLength(hWnd);
-                    std::string windowName(length + 1, '\x00');
-                    ::GetWindowText(hWnd, windowName.data(), windowName.size());
-
-                    // Check if the window is visible and if it's an ImHex window
-                    if (::IsWindowVisible(hWnd) == TRUE && length != 0) {
-                        if (windowName.starts_with("ImHex")) {
-                            // Create the message
-                            COPYDATASTRUCT message = {
-                                .dwData = 0,
-                                .cbData = static_cast<DWORD>(std::strlen(programArgs.argv[1])) + 1,
-                                .lpData = programArgs.argv[1]
-                            };
-
-                            // Send the message
-                            SendMessage(hWnd, WM_COPYDATA, reinterpret_cast<WPARAM>(hWnd), reinterpret_cast<LPARAM>(&message));
-
-                            return FALSE;
-                        }
-                    }
-
-                    return TRUE;
-                }, 0);
-
-                std::exit(0);
-            }
-        }
     }
 
     void Window::setupNativeWindow() {

plugins/builtin/romfs/logo.ans

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+ImHex Hex Editor
+  A Hex Editor for Reverse Engineers, Programmers and people
+  who value their retinas when working at 3 AM.
+                                               
+   ((((((((((((((((((((/   (((((((((((((((/  
+   ((((((((((((((((((((/   (((((((((((((((/  
+   *,,,,,        ,,,,,,*             ,,,,,*      Version:     {0}
+   ((((//        (((((//             (((((/      Commit:      {1}@{2}
+   (/////        (//////             ((((//      Build time:  {3}, {4}
+   /////*        //////*             //////      Type:        {5}
+   /////*        //////*             /////*  
+   /*****        /////**             /////*  
+   ******        *******             /*****  
+   *****,        ******,             ******  
+   **,,,,        *****,,             *****,  
+   *,,,,,        *,,,,,,             ****,,  
+   ,,,,,,        ,,,,,,,             *,,,,,  
+   ////////////////////*             ,,,,,,,  
+   *********************             ,.....   
+                                               
+

plugins/builtin/source/plugin_builtin.cpp

@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
 #include <hex/plugin.hpp>
+#include <hex/subcommands/subcommands.hpp>
 
+#include <hex/api/event.hpp>
 #include <hex/api/content_registry.hpp>
 #include <hex/helpers/logger.hpp>
 
 #include <romfs/romfs.hpp>
 #include <nlohmann/json.hpp>
 
+using namespace hex;
+
 namespace hex::plugin::builtin {
 
     void registerEventHandlers();
@@ -41,8 +45,69 @@ namespace hex::plugin::builtin {
 
     void handleBorderlessWindowMode();
 
+    void handleSubCommands();
+
 }
 
+IMHEX_PLUGIN_SUBCOMMANDS() {
+    { "version", "Print ImHex version and exit", [](const std::vector<std::string>&) {
+        hex::print(romfs::get("logo.ans").string(),
+                   ImHexApi::System::getImHexVersion(),
+                   ImHexApi::System::getCommitBranch(), ImHexApi::System::getCommitHash(),
+                   __DATE__, __TIME__,
+                   ImHexApi::System::isPortableVersion() ? "Portable" : "Installed");
+
+        exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
+    }},
+    { "help", "Print help about this command and exit", [](const std::vector<std::string>&) {
+        hex::print(
+            "ImHex - A Hex Editor for Reverse Engineers, Programmers and people who value their retinas when working at 3 AM.\n"
+            "\n"
+            "usage: imhex [subcommand] [options]\n"
+            "Available subcommands:\n"
+        );
+
+        size_t longestCommand = 0;
+        for (const auto &plugin : PluginManager::getPlugins()) {
+            for (const auto &subCommand : plugin.getSubCommands()) {
+                longestCommand = std::max(longestCommand, subCommand.commandKey.size());
+            }
+        }
+
+        for (const auto &plugin : PluginManager::getPlugins()) {
+            for (const auto &subCommand : plugin.getSubCommands()) {
+                hex::print("    --{}{: <{}}        {}\n", subCommand.commandKey, "", longestCommand - subCommand.commandKey.size(), subCommand.commandDesc);
+            }
+        }
+
+        exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
+    }},
+    { "open", "Open files passed as argument. This is the default subcommand is none is entered",
+            [](const std::vector<std::string> &args) {
+
+        hex::subcommands::registerSubCommand("open", [](const std::vector<std::string> &args){
+            for (auto &arg : args) {
+                EventManager::post<RequestOpenFile>(arg);
+            }
+        });
+        
+        std::vector<std::string> fullPaths;
+        bool doubleDashFound = false;
+        for (auto &arg : args) {
+            
+            // Skip the first argument named `--`
+            if (arg == "--" && !doubleDashFound) {
+                doubleDashFound = true;
+            } else {
+                auto path = std::filesystem::weakly_canonical(arg);
+                fullPaths.push_back(wolv::util::toUTF8String(path));
+            }
+        }
+
+        hex::subcommands::forwardSubCommand("open", fullPaths);
+    }}
+};
+
 IMHEX_PLUGIN_SETUP("Built-in", "WerWolv", "Default ImHex functionality") {
 
     using namespace hex::plugin::builtin;