# I built a DOS game launcher for Windows 11 with automatic DOSBox setup > Source: > Published: 2026-07-17 02:52:12+00:00 Getting a DOS game running on a modern PC often means finding the right executable, writing mount commands, tuning a config file, and keeping every installation organized. I wanted that setup to feel more like using a modern game library. So I built **AI DOS Game Launcher**, a source-available Windows 11 desktop app powered by Python, PySide6, and DOSBox Staging. The launcher can: `dosbox.conf` The project does **not** bundle games or search piracy sites. Users remain responsible for each game's license and copyright terms. The executable detector filters out common installers, setup tools, uninstallers, and utilities. It then scores the remaining files using the game title, folder name, and executable naming patterns. Once an executable is selected, the launcher creates a configuration that mounts the game directory as `C:` and starts the game automatically. Deterministic heuristics handle the core workflow, so no AI key is required. There is optional support for OpenAI-compatible providers, including OpenRouter, for search-term cleanup, executable selection, and configuration suggestions. API keys stay in a local gitignored `config.json` file. The interface uses a dark retro theme, while the application keeps downloaded games, emulator files, and local settings outside source control. The first release targets Windows 11. Catalog coverage can still improve, and executable detection will always have edge cases for unusual archives. The repository is currently source-available with no software license granted yet. I'd especially appreciate feedback on: The code, setup instructions, tests, and implementation notes are on GitHub: [Skynet-Pro-Plus/ai-dos-game-launcher](https://github.com/Skynet-Pro-Plus/ai-dos-game-launcher) If you try it, let me know which DOS game you tested and where the setup experience could be smoother. *Disclosure: I used AI-assisted coding and writing tools while building and documenting this project. I reviewed the resulting code and article, and the project is covered by its automated test suite.*``