An easy way to create desktop app shortcuts in GNOME

Overview

This simple extension tries to make easier the GNOME process to create a desktop shortcut for apps.

The idea is simple: instead of searching for the .desktop files through multiple folders let's use the application launcher that already groups all our apps.

This extension adds a new line to the app context menu in the application launcher, the new entry ('Add to Desktop') if clicked automatically creates a desktop shortcut to the app.

Dependencies

This extension needs the Desktop Icons extension (or any alternative to see Desktop icons) installed and enabled to work properly, otherwise you will not be able to see the shortcuts you are creating.

Installation

• Download zip from the releases section
• Extract in a folder named [email protected]
• Add the [email protected] folder to GNOME extensions folder*
• Restart the GNOME shell**
• Open (or restart) the Extensions app (or Tweaks app)
• Enable 'Add to Desktop'
• Enjoy

* Default folder should be ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/ for manually installed extensions if there isn't this directory, create it.

** Hit Alt + F2 type r and hit Enter, if you prefer you can log out instead.

How does it work

What this extension actually do is creating on your Desktop folder a copy of the original .desktop file used from the application launcher.

This approach has a downside: if your application gets updated the behaviour of the .desktop file may change, I experienced app icons changing path updating, this may make your shortcut no more working properly, and you have to create a new one from zero.

Future version may include methods to fix broken shortcuts easier.