How To Create a Desktop Launcher for Terminal Commands

In Linux, terminal commands are a powerful and versatile way to interact with the system. However, typing out commands every time can be time-consuming and tedious. A desktop launcher for terminal commands can be a handy tool to simplify this process. This article will guide you through the steps to create a desktop launcher for terminal commands.

Understanding Desktop Launchers

Before we dive into the process, it’s important to understand what a desktop launcher is. A desktop launcher is a shortcut that you can click to start an application instead of running the command from a terminal. It contains a series of instructions for the system to execute when the launcher is run.

Creating a Basic Desktop Launcher

Let’s start by creating a basic desktop launcher. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Create a New File

Right-click on your desktop, select “New Document” or “Empty Document”, and name it with a .desktop extension, for example, command_launcher.desktop.

Step 2: Edit the File

Open the file with a text editor like gedit or nano. In the text editor, paste the following code:

[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Terminal=true
Exec=ping www.google.com
Name=Ping Google
Icon=path/to/icon

Let’s break down what each line means:

• [Desktop Entry]: This is a header that indicates the file is a desktop entry.
• Version=1.0: This specifies the version of the desktop entry specification.
• Type=Application: This indicates that the file is an application launcher.
• Terminal=true: This means that the command will be run in a terminal window.
• Exec=ping www.google.com: This is the command that will be executed when the launcher is run. In this case, it’s a ping command to check the network connection to Google.
• Name=Ping Google: This is the name that will be displayed on the desktop for the launcher.
• Icon=path/to/icon: This is the path to the icon file for the launcher. If you have a specific icon you want to use, replace path/to/icon with the actual path to the icon file.

Step 3: Save and Close the File

After you’ve made your changes, save the file and close the text editor.

Step 4: Make the Launcher Executable

For the launcher to work, it needs to be executable. To do this, right-click on the file, select “Properties”, go to the “Permissions” tab, and check the “Allow executing file as program” or “Execute” box.

Using a Launcher Creator Tool

If you prefer a graphical approach, you can use a launcher creator tool like Alacarte (also known as Main Menu). Here’s how:

Step 1: Install Alacarte

If Alacarte isn’t already installed on your system, you can install it by running the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt-get install alacarte

Step 2: Open Alacarte

Search for “Main Menu” in your application launcher to open Alacarte.

Step 3: Create a New Launcher

In Alacarte, navigate to the category where you want to create the launcher (e.g., “Accessories” or “System Tools”), click on the category, then click the “New Item” button.

Step 4: Fill in the Details

In the “Create Launcher” window, fill in the necessary details:

• Type: Select “Application in Terminal”.
• Name: Enter a name for your launcher.
• Command: Enter the terminal command you want to execute.
• Comment: Optionally, add a description for your launcher.
• Icon: Click on the icon button to choose an icon for your launcher.

Click “OK” to create the launcher.

Conclusion

Creating a desktop launcher for terminal commands can save you time and make your workflow more efficient. Whether you prefer to manually create a .desktop file or use a graphical tool like Alacarte, the process is straightforward and flexible. With a little practice, you’ll be creating custom launchers for all your favorite commands in no time.

Remember, while this guide provides a basic introduction to creating desktop launchers, there’s a lot more you can do with them. For more advanced options, check out the Desktop Entry Specification on the FreeDesktop.org website.