NKXTool-UI

A lightweight desktop interface for NkxTool.exe to browse, create, and extract NKX and other NI archives format on Windows.

The application focuses on a clean native workflow: pack a folder, pack from a @filelist.txt, unpack one or more archives, browse archive contents, switch light/dark theme, and run batch multi-pack operations from a single window.

Light Theme

Dark Theme

Features

• Pack a whole folder into an .nkx archive.
• Pack from a @filelist.txt with an optional root path.
• Multi-pack mode: select multiple source folders and create one archive per folder.
• Optional multi-pack behavior to include the parent folder or archive only its contents.
• Unpack one or more archives to a target folder.
• Browse archive contents before extraction.
• Live console/log output in the UI.
• Light and dark theme support.
• Configurable path to NkxTool.exe through nkxtoolsettings.json.

Requirements

• Windows
• .NET desktop runtime / SDK version 10.0
• NkxTool.exe available either:
  • next to the application executable, or
  • in a path configured through nkxtoolsettings.json

Getting started

1. Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/manzing/NKXTool-UI.git
cd NKXTool-UI

2. Build

dotnet build NkxToolUI.csproj --configuration Release

3. Run

dotnet run --project NkxToolUI.csproj

Configuration

The application looks for NkxTool.exe from the configured path first, then from standard local locations.

Create a nkxtoolsettings.json file next to the application if you want to force a custom executable path:

{
  "NkxToolPath": "D:\\Tools\\NkxTool\\NkxTool.exe"
}

UI theme preferences are stored separately in the user profile.

Pack modes

Pack a whole folder

Use this mode to create one archive from one source folder.

Pack from @filelist.txt

Use this mode when you want precise control over the archived files. An optional root path can be passed to keep paths relative to a specific folder.

Pack multiple folders

Use this mode to create one archive per selected source folder in a single batch.

Behavior:

• The output is a destination folder, not a single archive file.
• Each selected source folder generates its own .nkx archive.
• The archive name defaults to the source folder name.
• If an archive already exists, the app asks before replacing it.
• You can choose whether to include the parent folder itself or only archive its contents.

Example:

• Source folder: library_01
• Content inside: samples\...
• With Include parent folder enabled, the archive contains library_01\...
• With Include parent folder disabled, the archive contains samples\...

Unpack

The unpack window supports selecting one or more .nkx archives and extracting them to a chosen destination folder.

During extraction, the output log is updated in the UI so progress can be followed without opening a terminal.

Browse

The browse window displays the archive contents returned by NkxTool.exe so the structure can be inspected before extraction.

Partial extraction from the browse view is not fully implemented yet.

Project structure

NKXTool-UI/
├─ Assets/
├─ Services/
├─ Themes/
├─ Views/
├─ App.xaml
├─ App.xaml.cs
├─ NKXToolUI.csproj
└─ lang.json

Notes

• The app is intentionally lightweight and stays close to the CLI behavior of NkxTool.exe.
• Multi-language support is planned in the architecture, but not fully implemented yet.
• Theme handling and UI preferences are separate from archive tool configuration.

Roadmap

• Partial extraction from the browse window.
• Better contextual help and tooltips for advanced pack modes.
• Expanded localization support.