feat: 💄 modernize the ux

.claude/settings.local.json

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+{
+  "permissions": {
+    "allow": [
+      "Bash(git tag v1.1.1.15 fd3dc4312b4e1d6e6dc6998f9dcf15a35f006157)",
+      "Bash(git cliff --config cliff.toml --output CHANGELOG_NEW.md)",
+      "Bash(env)",
+      "Bash(if not exist .signpath mkdir .signpath)",
+      "Bash(powershell -Command:*)"
+    ],
+    "deny": [],
+    "ask": []
+  }
+}

.github/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+name: CI
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [master]
+
+jobs:
+  build:
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Setup .NET
+        uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v4
+        with:
+          dotnet-version: '8.0.x'
+
+      - name: Build
+        run: dotnet build Symlinker/Symlinker.csproj --configuration Release

CLAUDE.md

@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+# CLAUDE.md
+
+This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with code in this repository.
+
+## Project Overview
+
+Symlinker is a Windows Forms application (.NET 8) that provides a GUI for creating symbolic links, hard links, and directory junctions on Windows. It wraps the Windows `mklink` command with an easy-to-use interface.
+
+**Target Platform:** Windows 10+ only (as of 2025 modernization)
+
+## Build & Development Commands
+
+### Building the Application
+
+```powershell
+# Build in Debug configuration
+dotnet build "Symlinker/Symlinker.csproj" --configuration Debug
+
+# Build in Release configuration
+dotnet build "Symlinker/Symlinker.csproj" --configuration Release
+```
+
+### Publishing (ClickOnce)
+
+The application uses ClickOnce deployment and is published to GitHub Pages:
+
+```powershell
+# Full build and publish to gh-pages branch
+./release.ps1
+
+# Build only (skip deployment)
+./release.ps1 -OnlyBuild
+```
+
+The `release.ps1` script:
+- Reads the Git tag to determine version (e.g., `v1.2.3` becomes `1.2.3.0`)
+- Uses MSBuild to publish with ClickOnce profile
+- Deploys to `gh-pages` branch for auto-update support
+
+### Running the Application
+
+```powershell
+dotnet run --project "Symlinker/Symlinker.csproj"
+```
+
+## Architecture
+
+### Key Components
+
+1. **Program.cs**: Entry point with UAC elevation logic
+   - Automatically re-launches itself with administrator privileges using the `--engage` flag
+   - Uses Windows API (`BCM_SETSHIELD`) to display UAC shield icon
+
+2. **MainWindow.cs**: Main form and business logic
+   - Handles UI state for file vs. folder symlink modes
+   - Manages three link types: Symbolic Link, Hard Link, Directory Junction
+   - Executes `cmd.exe /c mklink` with appropriate parameters
+   - Supports drag-and-drop for file/folder paths
+
+3. **MainWindow.Designer.cs**: Auto-generated Windows Forms designer code
+   - Contains all UI control initialization
+
+### Link Creation Flow
+
+1. User selects link type (file/folder) via `typeSelectorComboBox`
+2. `Switcher()` method updates UI labels and available link types
+3. User inputs link location, link name, and destination
+4. `CreateLink()` validates paths and checks for conflicts
+5. `SendCommand()` builds and executes mklink command with proper escaping
+6. Process output/error handlers display results via MessageBox
+
+### Important Patterns
+
+- **Command Building**: Uses `string.Format()` with `CultureInfo.InvariantCulture` for mklink command construction
+- **Path Handling**: Wraps paths in quotes to support spaces
+- **Link Type Mapping**:
+  - Symbolic Link: `/D` (directory) or empty (file)
+  - Hard Link: `/H`
+  - Directory Junction: `/J` (folders only)
+
+### Dependencies
+
+Managed via Central Package Management ([Directory.Packages.props](Directory.Packages.props)):
+
+- **Microsoft-WindowsAPICodePack-Core** (1.1.5): Common file dialogs
+- **Microsoft-WindowsAPICodePack-Shell** (1.1.5): Shell integration
+
+## Project Structure
+
+```
+Symlinker/
+├── Symlinker/          # Main project directory
+│   ├── MainWindow.cs         # Core form logic
+│   ├── MainWindow.Designer.cs # UI designer code
+│   ├── MainWindow.resx       # Form resources
+│   ├── Program.cs            # Entry point with UAC elevation
+│   ├── Properties/
+│   │   ├── Resources.Designer.cs  # Localized strings
+│   │   └── Settings.Designer.cs   # App settings
+│   ├── icon.ico              # Application icon
+│   └── Symlinker.csproj
+├── Symlinker.sln             # Solution file
+├── Directory.Packages.props  # Central package versions
+├── release.ps1               # ClickOnce build/publish script
+└── .github/workflows/
+    └── release.yml           # GitHub Actions for tagged releases
+```
+
+## Release Process
+
+Releases are automated via GitHub Actions:
+
+1. Push a Git tag: `git tag v1.2.3 && git push origin v1.2.3`
+2. GitHub Actions workflow ([.github/workflows/release.yml](.github/workflows/release.yml)) triggers
+3. `release.ps1` executes on Windows runner
+4. Application published to `gh-pages` branch
+5. ClickOnce installer auto-updates existing installations
+
+## Known Limitations
+
+- **Drag & Drop**: Does not work when running as administrator (Windows security limitation)
+- **UAC Required**: Creating symlinks requires administrator privileges on Windows
+- **Platform**: Windows 10/11 only (uses .NET 8 Windows-specific APIs)
+
+## Localization
+
+UI strings are managed through resource files:
+- [Symlinker/Properties/Resources.Designer.cs](Symlinker/Properties/Resources.Designer.cs)
+- [Symlinker/MainWindow.resx](Symlinker/MainWindow.resx)
+
+When modifying UI text, update the resource files rather than hardcoding strings.

README.md

@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ This project has been around since 2009, originally hosted on Google Code and bu
 
 ## Featured On
 
+- [Softpedia](https://www.softpedia.com/get/PORTABLE-SOFTWARE/System/System-Enhancements/Portable-Symbolic-Link-Creator.shtml)
 - [addictivetips](http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/symlinker-create-symlink-hardlink-and-directory-junction-in-windows/)
 - [TecFlap](https://web.archive.org/web/20150511235232/http://www.tecflap.com/2012/05/29/software-day-winautohide-symlinker-hyperdesktop/) (Archived)
 - [Zhacks](https://web.archive.org/web/20170512070430/http://www.zhacks.com/easily-create-symbolic-link-with-mklink-gui-symlinker) (Archived)
@@ -68,16 +69,16 @@ Previous project link: https://code.google.com/p/symlinker/
 
 See [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md)
 
-## Acknowledgments
-
-Free code signing provided by [SignPath.io](https://about.signpath.io/), certificate by [SignPath Foundation](https://signpath.org/)
-
-Committers and reviewers: [Contributors](https://github.com/amd989/Symlinker/graphs/contributors)
-
 ## License
 
 MIT — see [LICENSE](LICENSE)
 
 ## Privacy Policy
 
-See [PRIVACY.md](PRIVACY.md)
+See [PRIVACY.md](PRIVACY.md)
+
+## Acknowledgments
+
+Free code signing provided by [SignPath.io](https://about.signpath.io/), certificate by [SignPath Foundation](https://signpath.org/)
+
+Committers and reviewers: [Contributors](https://github.com/amd989/Symlinker/graphs/contributors)