Windows launcher for Discord quests
A game process Discord already recognises, started in one click.
Zycord copies a small stub executable into
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Zycord\games\<app_id>\,
renames it to the executable Discord watches for a game, and starts it.
Discord credits PLAY_ON_DESKTOP quest progress while the stub runs. The
stub has no game code, no network code and never contacts Discord.
Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit. No installer, no account, no telemetry. Version 1.1.5.
Counts are read from the catalog shipped with version 1.1.5. 20 of the executable entries are marked as launcher processes.
What Zycord does
Five things, each with a clear boundary.
Searches the catalog
10,465 games with 11,171 executable entries, searchable by name, alias and theme. Filters narrow to single-executable, multi-executable, launcher or custom games, and any title you add yourself is searchable beside them.
Prepares a session file
Copies the about 36 KB stub into a per-game folder and gives it the filename Discord expects, including any subfolder the catalog records.
Starts and tracks it
Starts the process and records its process id. The Sessions tab shows a live timer, and an optional auto stop ends it for you.
Keeps a local history
Every session is recorded with its start, stop, duration and reason. Favourites and a saved library sit beside it in one settings file.
Cleans up
One action removes every prepared game folder. It refuses while a session is running, so nothing is deleted while in use.
Start a session in four steps
From opening the launcher to a running session takes a few seconds.
Open Games
The catalog loads with the application, so search works immediately. Type a name, pick a theme, or filter by executable count.
Choose the executable
Most games register one executable. Where a game registers several, each is listed and launcher processes are marked.
Start
Zycord prepares the file, starts the process and records its process id. A small window shows elapsed time unless you turn it off.
Stop when done
Stop from the Sessions tab, the session window or the tray menu. A typical PLAY_ON_DESKTOP quest needs about 15 minutes.
What the launcher includes
Ten sections, all local, all reachable from the left rail.
Home
Running sessions, library count, catalog count and prepared file size at a glance, plus recent games and quick actions.
Games
The full catalog with search, theme filter, executable filter and three sort orders.
Library
Saved games with the executable you chose, ready to start again.
Favourites
Starred games kept separately from the library, with their own count in the rail.
Sessions
Every running session with its name, executable, elapsed time, auto stop remaining and an extend action.
History
Up to 250 recorded sessions with start, stop, duration and whether they were stopped, exited or auto stopped.
Settings
Session, window, storage and data controls, including theme, tray behaviour and a 0 to 240 minute auto stop.
Logs
A per-day plain text log you can refresh, copy, export or clear. Nothing leaves the computer.
About
Version, build facts and buttons for the data folder, the website and the repository.
Help
A short guide to starting a session and answers to the questions that come up most.
What it does not do
Deliberate omissions, not features waiting to be added.
- No sign-in, token or stored credential.
- No patch, injection or read of the Discord client.
- No network request from the launcher except Discord CDN icons.
- No telemetry, analytics, crash reporting or update check.
- No installer, background service or scheduled task.
Read the safety page for the full boundary.
Requirements
| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit. |
|---|---|
| Runtime | Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime, included with Windows 11 and current Windows 10 updates. |
| Discord | The desktop application running on the same computer. |
| Disk | about 3.1 MB unpacked, plus about 36 KB per prepared game. |
| Privileges | None. Zycord runs as your user and never asks for elevation. |
Before you use it
Common questions
Do I need the game installed?
No. Zycord starts a copy of its own stub with the game's executable name. Your real game folder is never touched.
Is anything sent to Discord?
No. The launcher starts a local process. Discord's own client does the detection, and the stub makes no network call.
How long does a quest take?
A typical PLAY_ON_DESKTOP quest needs about 15 minutes of the game appearing to run. Leave the session running and Discord credits it.
Why does SmartScreen warn me?
The executable is not signed with a code-signing certificate. Choose More info and then Run anyway, or build from source.
Latest release
1.1.5 Current
WebView2 interface, process-id session tracking, a validated path pipeline, auto stop, history and favourites. The changelog lists what changed in this release.
Catalog refresh
Regenerate the catalog from Discord's public detectable list and ship it in a new build.
Portable settings export
Move your library and favourites between machines without copying the whole data folder.
Every page
Features
Every control in the launcher, described.
How it works
Detection, path safety, process safety.
Screenshots
The Games, Sessions and Settings sections.
Download
Version 1.1.5, checksum and requirements.
Documentation
Using, building and troubleshooting.
FAQ
Straight answers, including the uncomfortable ones.
Safety
What the stub does, and what it never does.
Changelog
What changed in 1.1.5.
Roadmap
Shipped, next and later.
Privacy
Local-only data and no telemetry.
Terms
Acceptable use and the warranty position.