Add App Icon to the Dock on Fedora

1. Create a `.desktop` Launcher File

If the application does not already have a launcher, create one manually:

Bash

vim ~/.local/share/applications/myapp.desktop

Then, add the following content (modify accordingly):

Ini

[Desktop Entry] 
Name=MyApp 
Exec=/path/to/application_or_AppImage 
Icon=/path/to/icon.png 
Type=Application 
Categories=Utility;
Terminal=false

2. Update Desktop Database

Run the following command to update the system's application database:

Bash

update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/

3. Add to Dock (Favorites Bar)

Now, search for your app in Activities (Super key / Windows key), right-click on it, and select "Add to Favorites" to pin it to the dock.

Fix: New Process Spawns Instead of Linking to Existing Icon

Add WMClass entry:

Ini

StartupWMClass=YourAppWMClass

To find the correct WM_CLASS for your app:

Run the app.
Open a terminal and enter:
Bash
```
xprop | grep WM_CLASS
```
Click on the app window.
You will see something like:
Bash
```
WM_CLASS(STRING) = "myapp", "MyApp"
```
Use the second value (MyApp) in StartupWMClass:
Bash
```
StartupWMClass=MyApp
```

Advanced Usage

A .desktop file follows the XDG Desktop Entry Specification, and it supports many configuration entries. Here’s a list of the most common and useful ones:

Basic Entries

Key	Description
`Name=`	The displayed name of the application.
`GenericName=`	A generic name (e.g., "Web Browser").
`Comment=`	A short description of the application.
`Exec=`	Command to execute the application. Use `%F` for file arguments.
`Icon=`	Path or name of the application icon.
`Type=`	The type of entry (`Application`, `Link`, or `Directory`).
`Categories=`	Defines categories for sorting in application menus.
`Terminal=`	`true` to run in a terminal, `false` otherwise.

Execution Behavior

Key	Description
`TryExec=`	Checks if the binary exists before running `Exec`.
`Path=`	Working directory for the application.
`StartupNotify=`	`true` if the application provides startup feedback (like a splash screen).
`StartupWMClass=`	Window manager class name (useful for fixing icon issues).
`NoDisplay=`	`true` hides the app from menus but keeps it available for launchers.
`Hidden=`	`true` hides the entry from menus and launchers.

File Handling & Mime Types

Key	Description
`MimeType=`	Lists supported MIME types (e.g., `text/plain;`).
`Actions=`	Defines additional actions (see Actions below).
`Keywords=`	Comma-separated keywords for searching the app in the menu.

Multiple Actions (Optional)

You can define custom actions inside the same .desktop file.

Example

Ini

Actions=NewWindow;PrivateMode;

[Desktop Action NewWindow]
Name=Open New Window
Exec=/path/to/app --new-window
Icon=/path/to/icon.png

[Desktop Action PrivateMode]
Name=Open in Private Mode
Exec=/path/to/app --private
Icon=/path/to/icon.png

Example Full `.desktop` File

Ini

[Desktop Entry]
Name=MyApp
GenericName=Text Editor
Comment=An example application
Exec=/path/to/app %F
Icon=myapp
Type=Application
Terminal=false
Categories=Utility;TextEditor;
MimeType=text/plain;
StartupNotify=true
Keywords=editor;notepad;write;