dex
DesktopEntry execution for XDG autostart programs
TLDR
Execute all programs in autostart folders
$ dex -a
Execute in specified folders$ dex -a -s [path/to/dir1]:[path/to/dir2]
Preview GNOME-specific autostart$ dex -a -e GNOME
Preview regular autostart (dry run)$ dex -a -d
Preview desktop entry property$ dex -p Name [path/to/file.desktop]
Create a desktop entry$ dex -c [path/to/file.desktop]
Execute in specific terminal$ dex --term [terminal] [path/to/file.desktop]
SYNOPSIS
dex [options] [files]
DESCRIPTION
dex (DesktopEntry Execution) generates and executes .desktop files. It's commonly used to run XDG autostart programs or launch applications from their desktop entries.
Useful for window managers that don't have built-in autostart support.
PARAMETERS
-a, --autostart
Run programs in autostart directories-s, --search-paths paths
Colon-separated search paths-e, --environment env
Filter by desktop environment-d, --dry-run
Preview without executing-c, --create file
Create a desktop entry-p, --property name
Show property value--term terminal
Terminal to use for Terminal=true entries
CAVEATS
Desktop entries must comply with XDG specification. Some entries may require specific desktop environments. Part of the dex package.
SEE ALSO
xdg-open(1), update-desktop-database(1)
