apx-subsystems

Interactively create a new subsystem

$ apx subsystems new

$ apx subsystems list

$ apx subsystems reset [[-n|--name]] [string]

$ apx subsystems reset [[-n|--name]] [string] [[-f|--force]]

$ apx subsystems rm [[-n|--name]] [string]

$ apx subsystems rm [[-n|--name]] [string] [[-f|--force]]

apx-subsystems [options] command [arguments]

Common commands:
apx-subsystems list
apx-subsystems register name path
apx-subsystems deregister name
apx-subsystems enable name
apx-subsystems disable name

list
    Lists all currently registered application integration subsystems.

register name path
    Registers a new subsystem with a given name and an executable path that implements the subsystem's logic.

deregister name
    Deregisters an existing subsystem identified by name, removing its integration capabilities.

enable name
    Enables a previously registered subsystem identified by name, allowing apx to utilize its integration features.

disable name
    Disables an active subsystem identified by name, preventing apx from using its integration features.

--help
    Displays a help message and exits.

-h
    Same as --help.

The apx-subsystems command is a utility within the Application eXperience (apx) framework, designed by Canonical to manage how applications launched via apx integrate with the host system.

Rather than installing applications directly onto the host, apx leverages ephemeral OCI container environments, allowing users to run software from various sources (e.g., .deb packages, container images) without polluting the base system.

apx-subsystems plays a crucial role in ensuring these containerized applications behave like native ones. It allows administrators and advanced users to control various integration points, such as desktop entry creation, MIME type association, font integration, sound system configuration, and more. By managing these "subsystems", apx can provide a seamless user experience, making containerized applications feel indistinguishable from those installed directly on the host, while maintaining the isolation benefits of containers.

The apx-subsystems command often requires root privileges (or use of sudo) to modify system-wide integration settings.

As the apx project is relatively new and under active development by Canonical, the command's exact behavior, available options, and subsystem APIs may evolve. Users should consult the latest apx documentation for the most up-to-date information.

This command is typically used by system administrators or advanced users to fine-tune apx's integration capabilities, rather than by end-users for daily application management.

An apx subsystem is essentially a script or executable that apx can call to perform specific integration tasks on the host system. For example, a "desktop-integration" subsystem might handle the creation and updating of .desktop files for applications, while a "mime-type" subsystem might manage file associations. These subsystems allow apx to externalize and standardize how different types of application integration are managed, making the framework flexible and extensible.

The apx project, including the apx-subsystems utility, is a relatively recent initiative by Canonical. It emerged from the need to provide a universal, isolated, and seamlessly integrated application experience on Linux, transcending traditional package formats like .deb or snap packages.

The development of apx aims to address challenges such as dependency conflicts, system pollution, and ensuring application portability. apx-subsystems specifically evolved as a critical component to bridge the gap between isolated containerized applications and the host system's desktop environment, ensuring elements like desktop launchers, file associations, and system themes are correctly handled. Its introduction marks a step towards a more unified application management approach on Ubuntu and potentially other Linux distributions.

apx(1), apx-install(1), apx-run(1), snap(1), lxc(1)