https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=522836
Bug ID: 522836
Summary: Add “Add to Application Menu” action for executable
files
Classification: Applications
Product: dolphin
Version First 26.04.3
Reported In:
Platform: Other
OS: Linux
Status: REPORTED
Severity: wishlist
Priority: NOR
Component: general
Assignee: [email protected]
Reporter: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]
Target Milestone: ---
DESCRIPTION
I would like to propose a native Dolphin feature that allows users to add
standalone executable files directly to the KDE Plasma Application Menu.
The proposed feature would add an “Add to Application Menu” action when
right-clicking an executable file in Dolphin.
After selecting the action, a dialog would allow the user to configure:
- Application name
- Application category
- Application icon
- Whether the application should run in a terminal
Dolphin would then create a valid user-level .desktop launcher in the
appropriate applications directory and make the application available in
Plasma’s Application Launcher and search.
The feature should also detect existing application launchers that point to the
same executable target to avoid duplicate entries.
This would be useful for standalone Linux applications, portable applications,
extracted applications, AppImages, scripts, games, and other executables that
do not install their own application-menu entry.
I have built and tested a working prototype on Fedora 44 with KDE Plasma 6
using a Dolphin Service Menu and helper script. The prototype implements the
proposed workflow successfully.
STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Open Dolphin and navigate to a standalone executable file that does not
provide its own application-menu entry.
2. Right-click the executable file.
3. Look for an option to add or register the executable in the KDE Plasma
Application Menu.
OBSERVED RESULT
Dolphin provides options to run or open the executable, but there is no
integrated action to add the executable to the Plasma Application Menu.
To accomplish this, users currently need to manually create and edit a .desktop
file, use KDE Menu Editor separately, or install a custom Dolphin Service Menu.
EXPECTED RESULT
Dolphin should provide an “Add to Application Menu” action for executable
files.
Selecting this action should open a dialog allowing the user to configure:
- Application name
- Application category
- Application icon
- Whether the application should run in a terminal
After confirmation, the application should:
- Be added as a valid user-level .desktop launcher.
- Appear in Plasma’s Application Launcher and search.
- Use the selected name, category, icon, and terminal preference.
- Safely handle executable paths containing spaces and special characters.
- Avoid creating duplicate entries when an existing launcher already points to
the same executable.
- Refresh the relevant KDE application cache automatically.
SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Operating System: Fedora Linux 44
KDE Plasma Version: 6.7.2
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.27.0
Qt Version: 6.11.1
Kernel Version: 7.1.3-200.fc44.x86_64 (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: Wayland
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
I have a working prototype implemented as a Dolphin Service Menu with a helper
script.
The prototype successfully:
- Adds an “Add to Application Menu” action to Dolphin’s right-click context
menu.
- Prompts for the application name.
- Prompts for the application category.
- Prompts for an icon.
- Prompts for terminal mode.
- Creates a user-level .desktop launcher.
- Checks for an existing launcher targeting the same executable to reduce
duplicates.
- Refreshes the KDE application database.
- Makes the added application searchable from Plasma’s Application Launcher.
The prototype has been tested successfully on Fedora Linux 44 with KDE Plasma
6.7.2.
I can provide the prototype source code if useful.
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