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 for an executable
$ dex -c [/usr/bin/program]
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

INSTALL

sudo pacman -S dex
sudo apk add dex
sudo zypper install dex
brew install dex
nix profile install nixpkgs#dex

CAVEATS

Desktop entries must comply with XDG specification. Some entries may require specific desktop environments. Autostart directories default to `~/.config/autostart` and `/etc/xdg/autostart`.

SEE ALSO

xdg-open(1), update-desktop-database(1)