Stopping a session

A session runs while another application has focus, which means the ClickTray window is usually behind whatever it is driving. There are four ways out, and it is worth knowing all of them before you start something.

The stop shortcut

The default is F6, which is the auto-clicker convention — the tools most people have used before this one all use it. It is a global shortcut, so it works while any other app is in front.

Change it in Settings → Stopping a session → Stop shortcut. Function keys such as F6, F7 or F8 are least likely to clash; you can also use a combination like Ctrl+Shift+F6.

Type the new key and press Enter, or click away from the field, to save it; an empty field is refused and the old key kept.

The row shows Active or Not working. Not working means ClickTray could not register the key — usually because another application already owns it, sometimes because it is not a key name ClickTray recognises. Pick a different one. ClickTray never prints a shortcut it has not confirmed: the panels only say · F6 stops it once Windows has granted the key, and show an amber warning when it has not.

There is no shortcut that starts a session — only one that stops it. A key that could start a synthetic mouse you cannot see would be the opposite of a safety control.

Hold Esc

Hold Esc to stop is a backup that no other application can take over, unlike a shortcut. Hold Esc for a second and the session stops, whether it is running or paused. It is on by default.

Turn it off only if you are running something that holds Esc on purpose — ClickTray cannot tell your Esc from one it is pressing itself.

The Stop bar

Show a Stop bar while running puts a small always-on-top bar on screen with a Stop button, so there is always something to click. It is on by default.

The bar opens at the top centre of the screen your cursor is on, and you can drag it anywhere. It shows Running or Paused with the number of actions sent, and reminds you of the other way out — or press F6, or or hold Esc when no shortcut is registered. It never takes focus away from what you are automating, and it stays up while a session is paused. Some full-screen games cover it; that is a Windows limitation on always-on-top windows, not a setting.

The tray icon

The tray menu carries Stop session, which shows the action count — and, for modes that run at a steady rate, the measured rate — while something is running. Settings lists it as Always available: it never depends on a shortcut and cannot be taken by another application. A full-screen game can hide the taskbar, so you may need to alt-tab out first, but it is the answer when everything else has failed.

What usually goes wrong

The shortcut does nothing. Usually another app owns the key. The Settings row will say Not working; pick a different one, and in the meantime hold Esc or use the tray.

A full-screen game hides the Stop bar. Use the shortcut, hold Esc, or alt-tab out and use the tray.