Keyboard Image Viewer: Quickly Preview Photos from Your Keyboard

• Load image list from selected folder
• Display current image in a resizable window
• Capture key events and map them to actions (next/prev/zoom/rotate)
• Cache thumbnails to reduce disk reads
• Provide an overlay for metadata and keybindings

Example tech choices:

• Frontend: Electron or web app with HTML5 canvas
• Desktop GUI: Python + PyQt/Pillow or C# + WPF
• Terminal: Rust or Go with libs for terminal graphics

Performance and format considerations

• Use decoded image caching and thumbnails to avoid reloading large files.
• Consider HEIF/HEIC support via platform codecs or decoders like libheif.
• For RAW camera files, use libraries that can render embedded JPEG previews or transcode to viewable formats.

Security and privacy

• Be cautious with files from unknown sources; avoid executing any embedded scripts or metadata automatically.
• For shared environments, consider a “safe mode” that disables auto-loading of sidecar scripts or external metadata processing.

Choosing the right viewer

Compare features you need: format support, keyboard configurability, performance, cross-platform compatibility, and whether you require scripting or automation. Lightweight command-line viewers suit power users; GUI apps are friendlier for general users.

Tips to optimize keyboard-first workflows

• Learn or customize a minimal set of shortcuts you’ll use daily.
• Use folder-based workflows and consistent naming conventions.
• Combine with quick file managers (ranger, fman) that support preview panes.
• Use external programmable keyboards or macro pads for one-touch actions.

Keyboard image viewers reduce friction and keep your hands on the keys. Whether you pick an existing app, script a custom tool, or use a terminal-based viewer, the goal is the same: faster, more accessible image workflows that help you move through photos with speed and precision.