How to Create Custom Desktop Shortcuts with Cinnamon Desktop on Linux Mint

Linux Mint, known for its user-friendly experience, offers the Cinnamon desktop environment as one of its most popular choices. Cinnamon is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, making it ideal for both beginners and advanced users. One useful feature of Cinnamon is the ability to create custom desktop shortcuts, also known as launchers. These shortcuts provide quick access to applications, scripts, and files, improving efficiency and workflow.

In this guide, we will explore different methods to create and customize desktop shortcuts on Linux Mint using the Cinnamon desktop environment.

Understanding Cinnamon Desktop Shortcuts

A desktop shortcut in Cinnamon is essentially a .desktop file, a small configuration file that contains metadata about an application, script, or command. These files are typically stored in ~/.local/share/applications/ for user-specific shortcuts or /usr/share/applications/ for system-wide shortcuts.

Each .desktop file follows a standard format defined by the Desktop Entry Specification, which includes:

• Name: The display name of the shortcut
• Exec: The command to execute when clicked
• Icon: The icon displayed for the shortcut
• Terminal: Whether to run the application in a terminal
• Type: Defines the shortcut type (e.g., Application, Link, or Directory)
• Categories: Specifies the menu category in which the application appears

Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating custom desktop shortcuts.

Method 1: Creating a Desktop Shortcut via GUI

If you prefer a graphical approach, Cinnamon provides a built-in way to create and manage desktop shortcuts.

Steps

1. Right-click on the Desktop

   • Select Create a new launcher here from the context menu.

2. Fill in the Launcher Details

   • Name: Enter the name for your shortcut (e.g., “My App”).
   • Command: Click on Browse or manually enter the command for the application or script.
   • Comment: Add an optional description.
   • Icon: Click on the icon button to select a custom icon.
   • Run in Terminal: Check this if the application requires a terminal.

3. Click OK to create the launcher.

   • Cinnamon will create a .desktop file in ~/Desktop/.
   • If you see a warning about an untrusted application, right-click the new shortcut, go to Properties > Permissions, and check Allow executing file as a program.

Method 2: Manually Creating a .desktop File

For more control, you can manually create a .desktop file using a text editor.

Steps

1. Open a Terminal and Navigate to the Desktop

   cd ~/Desktop
   

2. Create a New .desktop File

   touch myapp.desktop
   

3. Edit the File Using a Text Editor

   nano myapp.desktop
   

   Add the following content:

   [Desktop Entry]
   Version=1.0
   Type=Application
   Name=My App
   Exec=/path/to/executable
   Icon=/path/to/icon.png
   Terminal=false
   Categories=Utility;
   

   • Replace /path/to/executable with the actual command or script.
   • Replace /path/to/icon.png with the path to an icon file.

4. Save the File and Exit

   • In nano, press CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter to save.

5. Make the Shortcut Executable

   chmod +x myapp.desktop
   

6. Test the Shortcut

   • Double-click the shortcut on the desktop.
   • If prompted, select “Trust and Launch.”

Method 3: Creating a System-Wide Shortcut

If you want your shortcut to be available system-wide, store it in /usr/share/applications/.

Steps

1. Create a .desktop File in**/usr/share/applications/**

   sudo nano /usr/share/applications/myapp.desktop
   

2. Add the Shortcut Configuration

   [Desktop Entry]
   Version=1.0
   Type=Application
   Name=My App
   Exec=/path/to/executable
   Icon=/path/to/icon.png
   Terminal=false
   Categories=Utility;
   

3. Save and Exit

4. Update System Menus

   sudo update-desktop-database
   

5. Find Your App in the Start Menu

   • Open the Cinnamon menu and search for “My App.”
   • If needed, drag it to the desktop or panel for quick access.

Customizing Desktop Shortcuts

Changing Icons

• Right-click the .desktop file.
• Select Properties > Icon and choose a new icon.

Running Scripts with Shortcuts

If launching a script, use:

Exec=bash -c "gnome-terminal -- /path/to/script.sh"

Ensure the script is executable:

chmod +x /path/to/script.sh

Adding Environment Variables

For applications requiring environment variables:

Exec=env VAR_NAME=value /path/to/executable

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Shortcut Won’t Launch

• Ensure the file has execution permissions (chmod +x filename.desktop).

• Check the Exec path for typos.

• Verify the .desktop file syntax using:

  desktop-file-validate myapp.desktop
  

Missing Icons

• Ensure the icon file exists at the specified path.
• Use an absolute path instead of a relative one.

Application Opens in a Terminal Unnecessarily

• Set Terminal=false in the .desktop file.

Conclusion

Creating custom desktop shortcuts in Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop environment is a simple yet powerful way to enhance usability. Whether using the GUI, manually crafting .desktop files, or creating system-wide launchers, these methods allow for a highly personalized experience. With a little customization, you can streamline your workflow and access your favorite applications and scripts with ease.

If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with fellow Linux Mint users and explore more customization options available in Cinnamon!