App Launcher

mchilli

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UUID: app-launcher@mchilli

Last edited:

1 week ago 2025-04-11, 05:18

Last commit: [768bc504] Update Hungarian translations (#7060)

A simple App Launcher

README

App Launcher

A simple launcher for your panels

Features:

a GUI to organize your applications, even in groups
add new applications via drag'n'drop
add colorful separators
run multiple apps with middleclick
rightclick opens the context menu to edit your apps
support for horizontal and vertical panels
set custom icons for applications and groups
customize different properties of your applet:
- set/hide label
- set custom applet icon
- enable/disable notification
- set hotkey to open the menu
- open with hotkey at mouse position
- show/hide application icons
- set application icon size

Drag'n'Drop	Context Menu

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79 Comments

carsten88-1 day ago

Brilliant. Thank you very much.

Takeshi-GO-Ito-3 weeks ago

Hi! I am new to Linux, and using LinuxMint 22.0 Cinnamon. Could you tell me how to install the App Launcher? I have downloaded the zip file and extracted it. javascript has been installed on my system.

mchilli-3 weeks ago

Hi, you need to right-click on a panel and then click on “Applets”. In the window that opens, you can download all applets from this website and they will be installed automatically. After that you can add an applet to your panel. I hope this helps you.

PFC21120-1 month ago

Received a bunch of different updates for the past 2 days and reloaded 3 instances of App-Launcher, and all is working really good. When monitor wakes desktop comes right back and is responsive. Seems like something in the update to Cinnamon 6.4.8 was the problem. So glad my favorite app is back. Thanks for the app and your help.

mchilli-3 weeks ago

Nice to hear that everything is working now and that you like the applet :)

PFC21120-1 month ago

Assume reload the applet code means save the edited applet.js file after commenting out line 904 with // and restart computer. Did that and problem persists with same error repeated over and over again. Received several updates today but not the mutter update that seems to have corrected the problem with MINT 22.1. Thanks for your help with this really love this app it worked great up until I received updates related to cinnamon 6.4.8.

PFC21120-1 month ago

I am running LMDE 6 but I was also having the same issue with Mint 22.1 but the problem seems to been corrected by a mutter update. I have not received that mutter update in LMDE 6 yet, I am hoping that is the problem. .xsession error appears to be (cinnamon:4297): Gjs-CRITICAL **: 15:07:33.287: Attempting to run a JS callback during garbage collection. This is most likely caused by destroying a Clutter actor or GTK widget with ::destroy signal connected, or using the destroy(), dispose(), or remove() vfuncs. Because it would crash the application, it has been blocked. (cinnamon:4297): Gjs-CRITICAL **: 15:07:33.287: The offending callback was SourceFunc(). == Stack trace for context 0x55f0d041d1a0 ==

mchilli-1 month ago

hm the only destroy signal in the applet.js is in line 904, maybe that's the problem. I copied that from Cinnamon's “popupMenu.js”. Maybe it's not necessary, could you comment out that line manually, reload the applet code and tell me if that helps?!

PFC21120-1 month ago

My problem is back, see original problem below. I am running 3 instances of app-launcher , could that be the problem??

mchilli-1 month ago

Not normally. On my system there are 5 instances of app-launcher and everything works fine. Hm strange behavior, what was the “.xsession” file flooded with? Have you looked inside?

PFC21120-1 month ago

I think I found my problem, a bad HDMI cable. Slight movement of the cable at the computer end mimics the problems.

PFC21120-1 month ago

I am running LMDE 6 with cinnamon 6.4.8 and whenever I have app-launcher open, when my monitor powers off when I restore it comes back on for a split second and then goes blank with just the mouse pointer. I have to manually restart cinnamon to restore display and my .xsession file increases by about 500 MB. When I remove app-launcher from the panel all works as it should. Really like the applet and would like to continue using. If you need any other info let me know. Also I run MINT 22.1 with cinnamon 6.4.8 with no problems with monitor and display with app-launcher running.

RT Cunningham-2 months ago

Is there any way to pin an instance to only one workspace, kind of like the CobiWindowList applet works? If not, is there any way to convert it to a standalone application that could then be added to that applet, which could then be pinned using that applet? I think it would be awesome to have application launchers where they're being used, instead of relying on a full menu launcher in every workspace. If it isn't possible, that's okay. I'm not a programmer, so I have no idea how much work it would entail.

mchilli-2 months ago

Hey, I will see what I can do.

RT Cunningham-1 month ago

I just tested the bind-to-workspace addition. It works perfectly. Thanks!

RT Cunningham-2 months ago

I'm using a zenity-based menu in the meantime.

LovelyLince-3 months ago

"Fixed Menu Width" doesn't work with the new Mint-Y theme introduced in Linux Mint 22.1.

mchilli-3 months ago

Hey, sorry I can't reproduce this issue. Everything works as expected on a fresh Linux Mint 22.1 live system.

LovelyLince-2 months ago

That's fine, but I have a request. Can there be an option to open sub-menus as a separate menu to the right, instead of embedding sub-menus within the main menu? This could save some vertical space, & it would feel more natural to use personally.

mchilli-2 months ago

garuffalo asked the same thing a year ago, so I'll repeat my answer from then: "I know what you mean, but I use a default Cinnamon functionality for this. So I can be sure that it works well in different versions. A function like you expect may be possible, but I don't think it's worth programming it. Because it is just a optical enhancement and too much work. I hope you understand my point of view."

Herr Dyyhl-3 months ago

Nice applet. How can I add colorful separators? I use Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia.

mchilli-3 months ago

Hi, in the applet settings, under the arrow next to the plus sign.

Herr Dyyhl-3 months ago

So easy .... thank you very much.

freewee-5 months ago

Many thanks for the "menu at mouse position", this is working well for me! I can put desktop shortcuts anywhere, and click a menu without going to the pannel. Thanks again!

freewee-5 months ago

Hi App-launcher is very great applet. I made shortcuts on the desktop with "xdotool" ( for example "xdotool key ctrl+w") but of course the menu expends from the pannel and not from where the icon menu is located on the desktop (behavior of Classicmenu-Indicator "menu at mouse position" feature) Is it possible to make this easily??? Thank you for your big work!

mchilli-5 months ago

Hi That sounds like a nice idea. I will see what I can do.

SDakaXvost-8 months ago

There is such a problem after switching to Linux Mint 22. It is not possible to edit the program icon. I choose a new icon or its new location, click "OK", but the data is not saved, the program is displayed with the old icon in the list.

mchilli-7 months ago

Hey sorry for the late reply. Yes I noticed that too, it should be a small bug in the XAppIconChooserButton see here: https://github.com/linuxmint/cinnamon-spices-applets/pull/6387 I did a big code refactoring and got rid of this button. With the next update everything should work as expected. Plus some additions to hopefully reduce the amount of CPU usage.

garuffalo-1 year ago

I love this applet, but I have a feature request. When clicking on a subfolder in the list, instead of expanding vertically within the main list, with a small area to scroll through -- could the contents pop out to the side? This would make navigation of the launcher much more user friendly. Thanks!

mchilli-1 year ago

I know what you mean, but I use a default Cinnamon functionality for this. So I can be sure that it works well in different versions. A function like you expect may be possible, but I don't think it's worth programming it. Because it is just a optical enhancement and too much work. I hope you understand my point of view.

garuffalo-1 year ago

Fair enough. Still love the applet!

RT Cunningham-1 year ago

Never mind. I completely ignored the group setting during edits.

RT Cunningham-1 year ago

I like the separators, but one more thing would make them better, a group title. Perhaps a group title could be a separate item. Other than that, this applet is perfect.

SelfMadeSystem-1 year ago

Would it be possible to add files and folders in addition to regular apps? I don't think you would need to change much. I was thinking you could just reuse the current way you save applications, but add a `type` parameter that could be either `app` or `file` and have the `command` be something like `exo-open ${file}`. You could also automatically add the icon by just using the system's way to find icons. Thank you

SelfMadeSystem-1 year ago

I have discord (same username) if you want to chat about it. I might be interested in helping

mchilli-1 year ago

Hi, to be honest this applet is an app launcher, not a file opener. But it could open your files or folders as well, if you extend your command with the parameter you want. For eg.: `nemo /path/to/your/folder` or `xdg-open /path/to/your/file` I personally use it also this way. But ok I will build in some functionality. If you select a normal file automatically pretend the command with `xdg-open` and use the default mimetype icon.

ggabri-1 year ago

Configuration window does not show. (21.1)

mchilli-1 year ago

Hi and also sorry. But its' the same as for "likengmx".

likengmx-1 year ago

Linux Mint 21.1 Applet configuration window does not show, although in panel appears its icon. Also high cpu usage, sometimes several minutes, top shows Xorg 100%. I don't understand how an applet can hoard all the cpu. There must be a serious flaw somewhere.

mchilli-1 year ago

Hi and sry you have trouble with my applet. I tried it on different machines and also tested it with live systems from Mint 19 - 21.1, but I can't reproduce this issue. Thats why I struggle to find the reason for this bug. I suspect the problem is somewhere in the "widgets.py" file, maybe a missing dependency or else. Hopefully you can help me to fight this issue?! I'm interested in fixing it!

likengmx-1 year ago

Hi, I'll try my best. Mint 21.1 clean install Python 3.10.6 Computer Thinkpad X390 Yoga When Xorg freezes due to this applet, there are no errors in cinnamon debugger (melange), but related messages in .xession-errors are: -------------------------- Window manager warning: last_user_time (1150433) is greater than comparison timestamp (1144937). This most likely represents a buggy client sending inaccurate timestamps in messages such as _NET_ACTIVE_WINDOW. Trying to work around... Window manager warning: 0x3c00007 appears to be one of the offending windows with a timestamp of 1150433. Working around... (cinnamon:1272): Gdk-WARNING **: 21:58:28.543: Native Windows wider or taller than 32767 pixels are not supported .. (last message repited 20 times per second) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xorg freezes until you kill process xlet-settings Let me know how I can help you better to trace the problem.

mchilli-1 year ago

hm, did you have a second screen on your notebook maybe a 4k display? Btw can you comment out line 172 in "/home/USERNAME/.local/share/cinnamon/applets/app-launcher@mchilli/widgets.py", like this: # self.connect("realize", get_window) and let me know if the settings window will open now?

likengmx-1 year ago

OK. After commenting that line everything seems to be going well. The configuration window appears and xorg does not freeze. There are also no messages in .xsession-errors. I am not using any external monitor.

mchilli-1 year ago

ok can you change the function in line 179 to this: def on_check_resize(self, window): log(window.get_size().height) and tell me whats the output in the debug.log file inside the applet folder?

likengmx-1 year ago

that log does not work, window is probably null. it works if you modify this line adding the funciton argument: window.connect("check-resize", self.on_check_resize(window))

mchilli-1 year ago

sry first you have to reverse the comment in line 172 from previous post.

likengmx-1 year ago

I did it. It was required to reach the function with the log, but anyway it didn't work. Then I tried with log("test") and it worked, so window should be null. I moved your log to the previous, calling function and it worked, heigh was 600. So the problem was that def on_check_resize(self,window) was not receiving the second argument.

mchilli-1 year ago

oh ok weird. So lets revert all changes in widgets.py back to original and change the following: line 170: window.connect("check-resize", self.on_check_resize, window) line 179: def on_check_resize(self, object, window):

likengmx-1 year ago

it does not work. Settings windows does not show. I added a log(height) to function on_check_resize and debug.log grows fast with what seems like random numbers (14139,29049,...).

likengmx-1 year ago

OK. I found the problem. When you extend the list with -152 the main window increases height, so there is an infinite loop calling on_check_resize, increasing window height to infinite. It is solved when I use -155 instead -152. Forget about null pointers, my previous messages, maybe it was my mistake. So, with your original widgets.py problem is solved with -155 in this laptop. So you have to better calculate this parameter, because it seems dependent on the machine or desktop.

likengmx-1 year ago

More details. You can reproduce this bug changing in Desktop, font selections "text scaling factor" to 1.4. So it does not depend on the version of Linux but on the user scaling fonts at least.

mchilli-1 year ago

yeah you're right, thanks. If I change the value more down, like 140 the same problem appear on my maschine. I'm currently thinking about how can I better calculate the list height. Maybe set the value 200 is enough. But I think it's not an elegant way to solve this.

likengmx-1 year ago

I suppose the good method would be to see what is the protocol to resize childrens in this environment. In any case to avoid always an infinite loop, maybe setting a maximum allowed height. if self.height != height and height<800: or similar.

mchilli-1 year ago

OK can you check it please and replace your widgets.py with this: https://github.com/mchilli/cinnamon-spices/blob/master/applets/app-launcher%40mchilli/files/app-launcher%40mchilli/widgets.py Please tell my if this works, so I can create a PR.

likengmx-1 year ago

OK. It seems to work. The only anomaly is that when you maximize window and then un-maximize, the height does not restore.

mchilli-1 year ago

Yep I have notice that too, it's because that the height will be increase when you maximized the window but doesn't forcefully decrease when go back to normal. But I think for now its ok, maybe I can challenge this later.

likengmx-1 year ago

better: if height<800: self.scrollbox.set_size_request(-1, self.height - 152)

likengmx-1 year ago

better 2: if self.height != height: self.height = height if height>800: height=800 self.scrollbox.set_size_request(-1, height - 152)

He-Zu-2 years ago

Hi, my Python Version is 3.9.2 many greetings

He-Zu-2 years ago

Hello, there is no entry in the looking glass log. But you're right, it's up to my system. I started LMDE5 from a Live Boot Stick and installed the applet. It works perfectly. I have no idea where the problem is with my installation. One more thing I found. When I open the settings and then restart cinnamon, the settings window opens, but I can't operate anything in it. I will continue to search if I can find something. Thanks for the help

mchilli-2 years ago

Ok, sounds unfamiliar. Could it be possible that there's something wrong with your python version? The custom list widget, where you configure your apps in the settings, is the only difference from other applets.

He-Zu-2 years ago

Hi, I wanted to use your applet. Installation works. Add apps too. However, I can't get into the settings. When I select "Set up" an icon opens in the taskbar but the window for the settings does not open. I'm using Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE5) Cinnamon Version 5.4.12 Any idea why. Thanks for help.

mchilli-2 years ago

hm, can you configure the applet before you add any apps? maybe there is an error message in the looking glass log!? I've tested it with a fresh lmde5 installation and everything works fine.

freewee-3 years ago

I recently use Mint Cinnamon and I was looking for an alternative to Classicmenu indicator, that is a litle bit "recalcitrant"! I found your applet very interesting, the first tests seem conclusive... The drag and drop is very efficient! I will transfer all my shortcuts ( I really have a lot!!). Perhaps 1 improvement (for me!): No clicks over the menu... And I' m not sure it would be possible: opening the applet within my old "Plank"? Anyway many thanks for this great applet!

freewee-3 years ago

Really nice! But something is missing (I think!): I don't find how to make sub-menus!! Many thanks

mchilli-3 years ago

Hey, nice to hear that you like it. Submenus can created when you edit an application and click the plus button next to the group selection. If you mean the old "Plank Dock", then no its not possible, sry. Greetings

freewee-3 years ago

Thank you! About submenus, I wanted to say "sub-submenus"!!

mchilli-3 years ago

oh ok, but i think there is no possibility for this in cinnamon

freewee-3 years ago

Thank you! I will use it without that!

fazla86-3 years ago

good and useful applet one annoying thing is that every time the application configuration in applet is changed, it freezes the whole system, for about 10-15 seconds in my case. The CPU hits the 100%. Even if I just change applications order in the list, it freezes. other than that, it is perfect my system is: Linux Mint 20.2 Cinnamon 5.0.7 Intel© Core™ i7-1065G7 CPU @ 1.30GHz × 4

fazla86-3 years ago

UPDATE: After removing the swap, wait is reduced to 2-3 seconds. yaaaay :D I have 16GB of RAM memory and could simply remove 2GB swap on my system

RT Cunningham-3 years ago

Drag 'n' drop now works for me, with the latest update.

mchilli-3 years ago

Hey, nice to hear that it works now!

RT Cunningham-3 years ago

Drag 'n' drop doesn't seem to work. Maybe I'm doing it wrong?

mchilli-3 years ago

Maybe ;-), you pick an application from the menu and drag it to the app-launcher. I've created a demo gif to demonstration: https://git.io/J0tiv

RT Cunningham-3 years ago

I can only add applications manually.

RT Cunningham-3 years ago

Okay, I did exactly that and nothing at all changed.

mchilli-3 years ago

Hm strange, ok can you tell me more informations e.g. OS with version and Cinnamon version? So I can try to reproduce the issue. Do you have the latest version of the applet?

RT Cunningham-3 years ago

Mint 20.2, Cinnamon 5.05 I don't understand why it wouldn't work. Every other applet does.