1. Create a .desktop Launcher File

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

vim ~/.local/share/applications/myapp.desktop
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Then, add the following content (modify accordingly):

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

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

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

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Fix: New Process Spawns Instead of Linking to Existing Icon

Add WMClass entry:

StartupWMClass=YourAppWMClass
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To find the correct WM_CLASS for your app:

• Run the app.

• Open a terminal and enter:

  xprop | grep WM_CLASS
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• Click on the app window.

• You will see something like:

  WM_CLASS(STRING) = "myapp", "MyApp"
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• Use the second value (MyApp) in StartupWMClass:

  StartupWMClass=MyApp
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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:

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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.

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Multiple Actions (Optional)

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

Example

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
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Example Full .desktop File

[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
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