gendesk
.desktop file generator for Linux applications
TLDR
Generate desktop file
$ gendesk -n --pkgname=[appname]
With custom name$ gendesk --name="[App Name]" --pkgname=[appname]
Specify exec$ gendesk --pkgname=[app] --exec="[/usr/bin/app %U]"
Add categories$ gendesk --pkgname=[app] --categories="[Development;IDE]"
SYNOPSIS
gendesk [options]
DESCRIPTION
gendesk generates .desktop files for Linux applications. It creates the freedesktop.org standard desktop entries used by launchers and menus.
The tool simplifies creating desktop files for packaging by generating entries with proper formatting. It handles icon references, categories, and exec paths.
gendesk is commonly used in Arch Linux package building.
PARAMETERS
--pkgname NAME
Package name.--name NAME
Display name.--exec CMD
Command to execute.--categories LIST
Application categories.--comment TEXT
Description comment.-n
Don't include Name if same as pkgname.--help
Display help information.
CAVEATS
Primarily for Arch Linux packaging. Desktop file standards may vary. Manual tweaking may be needed.
HISTORY
gendesk was created for Arch Linux packaging to simplify .desktop file generation during package builds, reducing boilerplate in PKGBUILDs.