[SOLVED] How do I create a Script/Desktop Entry? | Arch Linux Community | Page 1

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 4:14 AM

#

Sorry for the vague title.
I am currently trying to make a desktop executable for a program called FLASHGBX on my steam deck (in desktop mode, of course).

The official repo says to start a terminal window from within the folder it has been installed to, which for me is "/home/deck/applications/FlashGBX", then use the following commands

source FlashGBX_venv/bin/activate
python3 -m FlashGBX

which will then launch the program.

I have done this, and everything is installed properly. All I want is for a desktop link to be able to open this application without me having to manually type this every time, and that's all. Preferably, I would have so the terminal itself isn't visible while this is all happening.

Thing is I have NO IDEA how to actually do this. I'm coming from windows, and even then I can barely cobble together a .bat file. I have NO IDEA how to properly make an executable or desktop entry. Trying to search any of this up has been a headache.

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 4:28 AM

#

you will have to change the exec part

#

*might

#

since there seems to be some steps you have to take

#

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Type=Application
Name=FlashGBX
Comment=Read and write DMG/CGB/AGB cartridge data with GBxCart RW
Exec=path/to/flashgbx.sh
Icon=flashgbx
Terminal=false
Categories=Utility;

#

ok. so they can make a script that does the following, unless I am missing something here : ```bash
#!/bin/bash
cd /home/deck/applications/FlashGBX
source FlashGBX_venv/bin/activate
python3 -m FlashGBX

#

don't forget to chmod +x the script as well

#

tbh you could do this as well ```
Exec=bash -c "cd /home/deck/applications/FlashGBX && source FlashGBX_venv/bin/activate && python3 -m FlashGBX"

#

whatever floats your boat

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 5:35 AM

#

ember otter tbh you could do this as well ``` Exec=bash -c "cd /home/deck/applications/Flash...

so this right here is what, a .desktop or a .sh file?

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:35 AM

#

frigid stag so this right here is what, a .desktop or a .sh file?

in the desktop file

#

forget the sh for now

#

see if this work when you make the .desktop file

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:37 AM

#

frigid stag so this right here is what, a .desktop or a .sh file?

create a FlashGBX.desktop file and put it ~/.local/share/applications/

#

and add the stuff listed above

#

and be sure to make it executable (chmod +x)

#

the desktop file

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 5:41 AM

#

it does nothing

#

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Type=Application
Name=FlashGBX
Comment=Read and write DMG/CGB/AGB cartridge data with GBxCart RW
Exec=bash -c "cd /home/deck/applications/FlashGBX && source FlashGBX_venv/bin/activate && python3 -m FlashGBX"
Icon=flashgbx
Terminal=false
Categories=Utility;

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:44 AM

#

frigid stag [Desktop Entry] Encoding=UTF-8 Type=Application Name=FlashGBX Comment=Read and w...

huh. ok, lets try the script idea

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 5:45 AM

#

ok, where do I put this script. Just right on the desktop?

#

or like, in the flashgbx folder

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:45 AM

#

ideally I think you want to go into .config and make a script folder

#

and put it there

#

and then refrence it like /home/user/.conifg/scripts/flashgbx.sh

#

or whatever the file path is

#

I don't have steam deck lol

#

do you have a .config folder? @frigid stag

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 5:48 AM

#

yeah, but the scripts folder I had to make

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:48 AM

#

frigid stag yeah, but the scripts folder I had to make

wdym?

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 5:49 AM

#

There was no scripts folder in .config so I had to make one

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:49 AM

#

oh uhh yeah you could named that folder whatever. you just needed to make one

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 5:49 AM

#

OK, So the .sh file is made, in the scripts folder, so now what should the .desktop file look like?

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:49 AM

#

or honestly stick it wherever.

#

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Type=Application
Name=FlashGBX
Comment=Read and write DMG/CGB/AGB cartridge data with GBxCart RW
Exec=path/to/flashgbx.sh
Icon=flashgbx
Terminal=false
Categories=Utility;

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:51 AM

#

ember otter or honestly stick it wherever.

really I suggested you have the folder itself for organization/you know where it is.

#

and if you create more scripts in the future

#

be sure to paste the desktop file in here as well @frigid stag

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 5:52 AM

#

OH! So putting that .sh file in that folder did nothing, but when placed in the flashgbx install folder it ran the program properly!

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:53 AM

#

woah, really?

#

nothing wrong now?

#

no errors?

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 5:54 AM

#

ok, so now lets see if I can get the desktop file working

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:54 AM

#

remember to put it in ~/.local/share/applications/

#

inside the applications folder

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 5:55 AM

#

nope, still nothing

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:55 AM

#

huh

#

share the contents of the desktop file

#

and the filename

#

@frigid stag

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 5:56 AM

#

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Type=Application
Name=FlashGBX
Comment=Read and write DMG/CGB/AGB cartridge data with GBxCart RW
Exec=/home/deck/Applications/FlashGBX/flashgbx.sh
Icon=flashgbx
Terminal=false
Categories=Utility;

#

name is just gbx.desktop

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:57 AM

#

hmmmm

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 5:58 AM

#

The .sh works if I go to its folder and click on it there

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 5:58 AM

#

Exec=bash -c "/home/deck/Applications/FlashGBX/flashgbx.sh"

#

try and see if that works

#

@frigid stag

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 6:00 AM

#

nope

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 6:01 AM

#

hmm, did you chmod +x the desktop file?

#

and the script?

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 6:02 AM

#

Both are marked under the properties>permissions tab with a checkmark on "allow executing file as program"

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 6:02 AM

#

hmmmmmmmmmm

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 6:03 AM

#

again, sh works perfect

#

but the desktop file isnt opening it up like we want

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 6:04 AM

#

frigid stag but the desktop file isnt opening it up like we want

ngl, very strange

#

script works but the desktop file doesn't...

#

can you try chmod +x the file still? chmod +x path/to/file

#

so ig chmod +x /home/deck/Applications/FlashGBX/flashgbx.sh

#

and chmod +x ~/.local/share/applications/gbx.desktop

#

and maybe try this ```
[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=FlashGBX
Comment=Read and write DMG/CGB/AGB cartridge data with GBxCart RW
Exec=bash -c "/home/deck/Applications/FlashGBX/flashgbx.sh"
Path=/home/deck/Applications/FlashGBX
Icon=flashgbx
Terminal=false
Categories=Utility;

#

@frigid stag

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 6:10 AM

#

THAT DID IT

#

The second one you sent did it

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 6:10 AM

#

wow

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 6:10 AM

#

OH MY GOD

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 6:10 AM

#

lets go

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 6:10 AM

#

Ok what was different???

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 6:10 AM

#

maybe the path variable?

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 6:10 AM

#

oh my GOD dude thank you

ember otter Aug 17, 2025, 6:10 AM

#

np

#

enjoy the games

#

have a great night/day

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 6:11 AM

#

Lmaooo you too

hardy monolithBOT Aug 17, 2025, 6:13 AM

#

#17680 📣 If there is nothing else that we can do for you, please close this thread by adding "[SOLVED]" to the title.

You can do this on desktop by clicking the three dots on the top right of the page, and pressing "Edit Post".
You can also do this on Android / iOS by long tapping your post in the text channel list, and tapping "Edit Post".

Your title should be like so: http://0x0.st/8Rt9.png
Thank you

frigid stag Aug 17, 2025, 6:16 AM

#

How do I create a Script/Desktop Entry? [SOLVED]

#

whoops, sorry.

#[SOLVED] How do I create a Script/Desktop Entry?