Not all applications appear in dmenu

Jamesdawg1977 · 2020-09-21 13:39:10

Pretty much as the title says. Any .desktop file in /home/james/.local/share/applications does not appear in dmenu. I tried desktop-file-validate on the whole directory and nothing acme back. I have no clue why these wouldn't be working. I'd really appreciate any help!

Trilby · 2020-09-21 13:50:11

If you mean dmenu_run, that is not intended to list desktop files. dmenu_run will list the executables listed in those desktop files if they are in your PATH. Which executables are not listed, and where are they located?

Jamesdawg1977 · 2020-09-21 14:15:59

Thank you for the quick response! There are really only two types of applications in there, steam game short cuts and Spotify wrapper I use to play local files through Spotify. I'll paste their entries below.

One of the Steam games:
[Desktop Entry]
Name=The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
Comment=Play this game on Steam
Exec=steam steam://rungameid/489830
Icon=steam_icon_489830
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Game;

My steam games are kept in ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common

The Spotify wrapper:
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Spotify Wrapped
GenericName=Music Player
Comment=Spotify streaming music client
Icon=spotify-client
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Audio;Music;Player;AudioVideo;
MimeType=x-scheme-handler/spotify;
Exec=/home/james/spotify_libraries/spotify-wrapper %U
TryExec=/home/james/spotify_libraries/spotify-wrapper

This one is sitting in my home directory.

So I guess the steam one doesn't work because it doesn't give an actual directory, and the Spotify wrapper isn't in my PATH? I'm honestly not sure what my PATH is, let alone how to add something to it.

Last edited by Jamesdawg1977 (2020-09-21 14:23:54)

Trilby · 2020-09-21 14:45:19

No, neither of these work because dmenu_run does not list desktop files nor does it read their content. Those desktop files are completely irrelevant for dmenu_run. dmenu_run lists executable binaries that are in your path. You could create a wrapper script for each steam game that you want to run, and place the wrapper script in your PATH, then dmenu_run will find it. Your spotify-wrapper script would be found if it was in your PATH.

If you don't know what the PATH variable is or how to use it then you have a lot of work ahead of you for maintaining an arch linux system. I'd suggest you start following some of the tutorials here:
https://ryanstutorials.net/

Which instructions did you follow to install your system?

Jamesdawg1977 · 2020-09-21 15:10:48

I used the instructions on the Arch Wiki and a video on YouTube by DistroTube covering that article. And thanks for the resource, I'll definitely check it out. However, I use zsh for my shell. Will those tutorials still apply?

Trilby · 2020-09-21 15:15:11

Yes, they will apply. I really don't think arch linux is the right distro for you yet. You should really get your feet wet in another distro first as arch is targeted at experienced linux users.

As you followed a youtube video for the initial install, you even skipped out on the learning experiences inherent in installing the system. So we will be unable to help you here.

Jamesdawg1977 · 2020-09-21 15:27:33

Alright cool, thank you. I really do appreciate all your help. I was able to add the spotify wrapper to my PATH and it appears in dmenu now. I'll have to read further in order to figure out how to add my Steam games. But again, thank you.

However, I chose Arch because I knew it would be a challenge, and I figured if I tried to learn on a different distro, I'd probably end up on Arch anyway. I figure what's the harm in learning through struggle directly. Maybe that's the wrong way of looking at it but it's how I've chosen to do it. And watching the video was how I learned, it didn't keep me from learning. I read the installation page on the wiki, got started, realized I didn't understand something, watched the video, learned from it, and continued with the install. Maybe a missed some things, but I got here eventually. And I don't see how not knowing something somehow makes me unable to get help from a forum geared specifically towards people who don't know things.

cirrus · 2020-09-21 20:10:37

No harm in “ learning on the wing” it can be fun, but be prepared to run into issues. It will cost you nothing but time, what your time is worth is entirely up to you.
Welcome Aboard

Pro Tip
When you run into future issues (and you will ) don’t look for the answers on you tube. Arch is a constant moving target and those _experienced_ you tubers videos quickly become outdated and irrelevant. Our Wiki, forums and IRC have lots of knowledgable archers who will be glad to help provided you show a willingness to learn .

Jamesdawg1977 · 2020-09-22 00:28:09

Yeah, I'm willing to put up with that. Thank you, and thanks for the tip. I do try to avoid YouTube whenever possible, and I avoid anything, video, article, or otherwise, older then like 6 months.

Arch Linux

#1 2020-09-21 13:39:10

Not all applications appear in dmenu

#2 2020-09-21 13:50:11

Re: Not all applications appear in dmenu

#3 2020-09-21 14:15:59

Re: Not all applications appear in dmenu

#4 2020-09-21 14:45:19

Re: Not all applications appear in dmenu

#5 2020-09-21 15:10:48

Re: Not all applications appear in dmenu

#6 2020-09-21 15:15:11

Re: Not all applications appear in dmenu

#7 2020-09-21 15:27:33

Re: Not all applications appear in dmenu

#8 2020-09-21 20:10:37

Re: Not all applications appear in dmenu

#9 2020-09-22 00:28:09

Re: Not all applications appear in dmenu

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