How would you go about recreating the following (simple) interaction in Houdini:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHrqUnk8HAM&feature=youtu.be [youtube.com]

I guess you would have to create a shelf tool with custom shortcuts and do some python coding? Does anybody have an example o tutorial for something like this?

you could try just adjusting the pivot
use the single quote key -> '
to toggle

@arctor:
This is a good advice, but I am more interested in how to achieve UI interaction that is not native to Houdini. Specifically in this example: How would I replicate the entire process of interaction as seen in the video.

My extended goal would be to push this sort of thing even further to achieve workflows that are possible in other software packages due to their specifc UI system.

ah well…that's above my pay grade

I'd look into the HDK and mail support with some specific questions.