diff --git a/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/App.axaml.cs b/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/App.axaml.cs
index 73c274bca..7f217c3e5 100644
--- a/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/App.axaml.cs
+++ b/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/App.axaml.cs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ using Avalonia.Controls.ApplicationLifetimes;
 using Avalonia.Markup.Xaml;
 using Avalonia.Threading;
 using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.DependencyInjection;
+using Flow.Launcher.Avalonia.Helper;
 using Flow.Launcher.Avalonia.ViewModel;
 using Flow.Launcher.Core.Plugin;
 using Flow.Launcher.Infrastructure;
@@ -38,7 +39,13 @@ public partial class App : Application
 
             desktop.MainWindow = new MainWindow();
 
+            // Initialize hotkeys after window is created
+            HotKeyMapper.Initialize();
+
             Dispatcher.UIThread.Post(async () => await InitializePluginsAsync(), DispatcherPriority.Background);
+
+            // Cleanup on exit
+            desktop.Exit += (_, _) => HotKeyMapper.Shutdown();
         }
         base.OnFrameworkInitializationCompleted();
     }
diff --git a/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/Helper/GlobalHotkey.cs b/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/Helper/GlobalHotkey.cs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..adec873e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/Helper/GlobalHotkey.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,308 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
+using Avalonia;
+using Avalonia.Controls;
+using Avalonia.Controls.ApplicationLifetimes;
+using Avalonia.Threading;
+
+namespace Flow.Launcher.Avalonia.Helper;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Win32-based global hotkey manager for Avalonia.
+/// Uses RegisterHotKey/UnregisterHotKey Win32 APIs with a message-only window.
+/// </summary>
+public static class GlobalHotkey
+{
+    private const int WM_HOTKEY = 0x0312;
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
+    private static extern bool RegisterHotKey(IntPtr hWnd, int id, uint fsModifiers, uint vk);
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
+    private static extern bool UnregisterHotKey(IntPtr hWnd, int id);
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
+    private static extern IntPtr CreateWindowEx(
+        uint dwExStyle, string lpClassName, string lpWindowName,
+        uint dwStyle, int x, int y, int nWidth, int nHeight,
+        IntPtr hWndParent, IntPtr hMenu, IntPtr hInstance, IntPtr lpParam);
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll")]
+    private static extern IntPtr DefWindowProc(IntPtr hWnd, uint msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam);
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
+    private static extern bool DestroyWindow(IntPtr hWnd);
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
+    private static extern ushort RegisterClass(ref WNDCLASS lpWndClass);
+
+    [DllImport("kernel32.dll")]
+    private static extern IntPtr GetModuleHandle(string? lpModuleName);
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll")]
+    private static extern bool PeekMessage(out MSG lpMsg, IntPtr hWnd, uint wMsgFilterMin, uint wMsgFilterMax, uint wRemoveMsg);
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll")]
+    private static extern bool TranslateMessage(ref MSG lpMsg);
+
+    [DllImport("user32.dll")]
+    private static extern IntPtr DispatchMessage(ref MSG lpMsg);
+
+    private delegate IntPtr WndProcDelegate(IntPtr hWnd, uint msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam);
+
+    [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
+    private struct WNDCLASS
+    {
+        public uint style;
+        public WndProcDelegate lpfnWndProc;
+        public int cbClsExtra;
+        public int cbWndExtra;
+        public IntPtr hInstance;
+        public IntPtr hIcon;
+        public IntPtr hCursor;
+        public IntPtr hbrBackground;
+        public string? lpszMenuName;
+        public string lpszClassName;
+    }
+
+    [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
+    private struct MSG
+    {
+        public IntPtr hwnd;
+        public uint message;
+        public IntPtr wParam;
+        public IntPtr lParam;
+        public uint time;
+        public POINT pt;
+    }
+
+    [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
+    private struct POINT
+    {
+        public int x;
+        public int y;
+    }
+
+    // Modifier keys for RegisterHotKey
+    [Flags]
+    public enum Modifiers : uint
+    {
+        None = 0,
+        Alt = 0x0001,
+        Control = 0x0002,
+        Shift = 0x0004,
+        Win = 0x0008,
+        NoRepeat = 0x4000
+    }
+
+    // Virtual key codes
+    public static class VirtualKeys
+    {
+        public const uint Space = 0x20;
+        public const uint Enter = 0x0D;
+        public const uint Tab = 0x09;
+        public const uint A = 0x41;
+        public const uint B = 0x42;
+        public const uint C = 0x43;
+        public const uint D = 0x44;
+        public const uint E = 0x45;
+        public const uint F = 0x46;
+        public const uint G = 0x47;
+        public const uint H = 0x48;
+        public const uint I = 0x49;
+        public const uint J = 0x4A;
+        public const uint K = 0x4B;
+        public const uint L = 0x4C;
+        public const uint M = 0x4D;
+        public const uint N = 0x4E;
+        public const uint O = 0x4F;
+        public const uint P = 0x50;
+        public const uint Q = 0x51;
+        public const uint R = 0x52;
+        public const uint S = 0x53;
+        public const uint T = 0x54;
+        public const uint U = 0x55;
+        public const uint V = 0x56;
+        public const uint W = 0x57;
+        public const uint X = 0x58;
+        public const uint Y = 0x59;
+        public const uint Z = 0x5A;
+    }
+
+    private static IntPtr _messageWindow;
+    private static WndProcDelegate? _wndProc; // prevent GC
+    private static readonly Dictionary<int, Action> _hotkeyCallbacks = new();
+    private static int _nextHotkeyId = 1;
+    private static DispatcherTimer? _messageTimer;
+    private static bool _initialized;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Initialize the hotkey system. Call once at app startup.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static void Initialize()
+    {
+        if (_initialized) return;
+
+        _wndProc = WndProc;
+
+        var wc = new WNDCLASS
+        {
+            lpfnWndProc = _wndProc,
+            hInstance = GetModuleHandle(null),
+            lpszClassName = "FlowLauncherAvaloniaHotkeyClass"
+        };
+
+        if (RegisterClass(ref wc) == 0)
+        {
+            Console.WriteLine("[GlobalHotkey] Failed to register window class");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Create message-only window (HWND_MESSAGE = -3)
+        _messageWindow = CreateWindowEx(
+            0, wc.lpszClassName, "FlowLauncherHotkeyWindow",
+            0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+            new IntPtr(-3), IntPtr.Zero, wc.hInstance, IntPtr.Zero);
+
+        if (_messageWindow == IntPtr.Zero)
+        {
+            Console.WriteLine("[GlobalHotkey] Failed to create message window");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Poll for messages periodically (hotkeys come via WM_HOTKEY)
+        _messageTimer = new DispatcherTimer { Interval = TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(50) };
+        _messageTimer.Tick += (_, _) => ProcessMessages();
+        _messageTimer.Start();
+
+        _initialized = true;
+        Console.WriteLine("[GlobalHotkey] Initialized successfully");
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Register a global hotkey.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="modifiers">Modifier keys (Alt, Ctrl, Shift, Win)</param>
+    /// <param name="key">Virtual key code</param>
+    /// <param name="callback">Action to invoke when hotkey is pressed</param>
+    /// <returns>Hotkey ID for later unregistration, or -1 on failure</returns>
+    public static int Register(Modifiers modifiers, uint key, Action callback)
+    {
+        if (!_initialized)
+        {
+            Console.WriteLine("[GlobalHotkey] Not initialized");
+            return -1;
+        }
+
+        int id = _nextHotkeyId++;
+        
+        // Add NoRepeat to prevent repeated triggers while held
+        uint mods = (uint)modifiers | (uint)Modifiers.NoRepeat;
+
+        if (!RegisterHotKey(_messageWindow, id, mods, key))
+        {
+            int error = Marshal.GetLastWin32Error();
+            Console.WriteLine($"[GlobalHotkey] Failed to register hotkey (error {error})");
+            return -1;
+        }
+
+        _hotkeyCallbacks[id] = callback;
+        Console.WriteLine($"[GlobalHotkey] Registered hotkey id={id}, mods={modifiers}, key=0x{key:X2}");
+        return id;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Unregister a previously registered hotkey.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static void Unregister(int hotkeyId)
+    {
+        if (hotkeyId < 0 || _messageWindow == IntPtr.Zero) return;
+
+        UnregisterHotKey(_messageWindow, hotkeyId);
+        _hotkeyCallbacks.Remove(hotkeyId);
+        Console.WriteLine($"[GlobalHotkey] Unregistered hotkey id={hotkeyId}");
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Cleanup all hotkeys and resources.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static void Shutdown()
+    {
+        _messageTimer?.Stop();
+
+        foreach (var id in _hotkeyCallbacks.Keys)
+        {
+            UnregisterHotKey(_messageWindow, id);
+        }
+        _hotkeyCallbacks.Clear();
+
+        if (_messageWindow != IntPtr.Zero)
+        {
+            DestroyWindow(_messageWindow);
+            _messageWindow = IntPtr.Zero;
+        }
+
+        _initialized = false;
+        Console.WriteLine("[GlobalHotkey] Shutdown complete");
+    }
+
+    private static void ProcessMessages()
+    {
+        while (PeekMessage(out var msg, _messageWindow, 0, 0, 1)) // PM_REMOVE = 1
+        {
+            TranslateMessage(ref msg);
+            DispatchMessage(ref msg);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static IntPtr WndProc(IntPtr hWnd, uint msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam)
+    {
+        if (msg == WM_HOTKEY)
+        {
+            int id = wParam.ToInt32();
+            if (_hotkeyCallbacks.TryGetValue(id, out var callback))
+            {
+                Console.WriteLine($"[GlobalHotkey] Hotkey triggered id={id}");
+                Dispatcher.UIThread.Post(() => callback());
+            }
+        }
+        return DefWindowProc(hWnd, msg, wParam, lParam);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Parse a hotkey string like "Alt + Space" into modifiers and key.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static (Modifiers mods, uint key) ParseHotkeyString(string hotkeyString)
+    {
+        var mods = Modifiers.None;
+        uint key = 0;
+
+        var parts = hotkeyString.Replace(" ", "").Split('+');
+        foreach (var part in parts)
+        {
+            switch (part.ToLowerInvariant())
+            {
+                case "alt": mods |= Modifiers.Alt; break;
+                case "ctrl": 
+                case "control": mods |= Modifiers.Control; break;
+                case "shift": mods |= Modifiers.Shift; break;
+                case "win":
+                case "windows": mods |= Modifiers.Win; break;
+                case "space": key = VirtualKeys.Space; break;
+                case "enter":
+                case "return": key = VirtualKeys.Enter; break;
+                case "tab": key = VirtualKeys.Tab; break;
+                default:
+                    // Try single letter
+                    if (part.Length == 1 && char.IsLetter(part[0]))
+                    {
+                        key = (uint)char.ToUpperInvariant(part[0]);
+                    }
+                    break;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return (mods, key);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/Helper/HotKeyMapper.cs b/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/Helper/HotKeyMapper.cs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4a7791b23
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/Helper/HotKeyMapper.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+using System;
+using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.DependencyInjection;
+using Flow.Launcher.Avalonia.ViewModel;
+using Flow.Launcher.Infrastructure.Logger;
+using Flow.Launcher.Infrastructure.UserSettings;
+
+namespace Flow.Launcher.Avalonia.Helper;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Hotkey mapper for Avalonia - registers and manages global hotkeys.
+/// </summary>
+internal static class HotKeyMapper
+{
+    private static readonly string ClassName = nameof(HotKeyMapper);
+
+    private static Settings? _settings;
+    private static MainViewModel? _mainViewModel;
+    private static int _toggleHotkeyId = -1;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Initialize the hotkey system and register configured hotkeys.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal static void Initialize()
+    {
+        _mainViewModel = Ioc.Default.GetRequiredService<MainViewModel>();
+        _settings = Ioc.Default.GetService<Settings>();
+
+        if (_settings == null)
+        {
+            Log.Warn(ClassName, "Settings not available, using default hotkey");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Initialize the global hotkey system
+        GlobalHotkey.Initialize();
+
+        // Register the main toggle hotkey
+        SetToggleHotkey(_settings.Hotkey);
+
+        Log.Info(ClassName, $"HotKeyMapper initialized with hotkey: {_settings.Hotkey}");
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Set or update the toggle hotkey.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal static void SetToggleHotkey(string hotkeyString)
+    {
+        // Unregister existing hotkey
+        if (_toggleHotkeyId >= 0)
+        {
+            GlobalHotkey.Unregister(_toggleHotkeyId);
+            _toggleHotkeyId = -1;
+        }
+
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(hotkeyString))
+        {
+            Log.Warn(ClassName, "Empty hotkey string");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var (mods, key) = GlobalHotkey.ParseHotkeyString(hotkeyString);
+        
+        if (key == 0)
+        {
+            Log.Error(ClassName, $"Failed to parse hotkey: {hotkeyString}");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _toggleHotkeyId = GlobalHotkey.Register(mods, key, OnToggleHotkey);
+        
+        if (_toggleHotkeyId < 0)
+        {
+            Log.Error(ClassName, $"Failed to register hotkey: {hotkeyString}");
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            Log.Info(ClassName, $"Registered toggle hotkey: {hotkeyString}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static void OnToggleHotkey()
+    {
+        Log.Info(ClassName, "Toggle hotkey triggered");
+        _mainViewModel?.ToggleFlowLauncher();
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Cleanup and unregister all hotkeys.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal static void Shutdown()
+    {
+        GlobalHotkey.Shutdown();
+        Log.Info(ClassName, "HotKeyMapper shutdown");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/MainWindow.axaml.cs b/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/MainWindow.axaml.cs
index 47372a4e9..718f5ae72 100644
--- a/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/MainWindow.axaml.cs
+++ b/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/MainWindow.axaml.cs
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ public partial class MainWindow : Window
         // Get the ViewModel from DI (same instance that App uses)
         _viewModel = Ioc.Default.GetRequiredService<MainViewModel>();
         _viewModel.HideRequested += () => Hide();
+        _viewModel.ShowRequested += () => ShowAndFocus();
         DataContext = _viewModel;
 
         // Get reference to the query text box
diff --git a/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/ViewModel/MainViewModel.cs b/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/ViewModel/MainViewModel.cs
index 24a15209b..8fa372339 100644
--- a/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/ViewModel/MainViewModel.cs
+++ b/Flow.Launcher.Avalonia/ViewModel/MainViewModel.cs
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ public partial class MainViewModel : ObservableObject
     private bool _pluginsReady;
 
     public event Action? HideRequested;
+    public event Action? ShowRequested;
+
+    [ObservableProperty]
+    private bool _mainWindowVisibility = true;
 
     [ObservableProperty]
     private string _queryText = string.Empty;
@@ -54,6 +58,43 @@ public partial class MainViewModel : ObservableObject
 
     public void RequestHide() => HideRequested?.Invoke();
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Toggle the main window visibility. Called by global hotkey.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void ToggleFlowLauncher()
+    {
+        Log.Info(ClassName, $"ToggleFlowLauncher called, currently visible: {MainWindowVisibility}");
+        if (MainWindowVisibility)
+        {
+            Hide();
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            Show();
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Show the main window.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void Show()
+    {
+        MainWindowVisibility = true;
+        ShowRequested?.Invoke();
+        Log.Info(ClassName, "Show requested");
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Hide the main window.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void Hide()
+    {
+        MainWindowVisibility = false;
+        QueryText = "";
+        HideRequested?.Invoke();
+        Log.Info(ClassName, "Hide requested");
+    }
+
     partial void OnQueryTextChanged(string value) => _ = QueryAsync();
 
     private async Task QueryAsync()
@@ -128,7 +169,7 @@ public partial class MainViewModel : ObservableObject
     }
 
     [RelayCommand]
-    private void Esc() { QueryText = ""; HideRequested?.Invoke(); }
+    private void Esc() { Hide(); }
 
     [RelayCommand]
     private async Task OpenResultAsync()