How can I create desktop entry for an AppImage?

I want to create desktop entry for Inkscape AppImage. I'm having some issues because I don't have all MimeTypes or an clear idea about running that kind of app on desktop entry.

Does anyone knows how can I achieve such thing?

Solution 1:

You can do it manually, or you can do it like it's described here: Registering AppImage Files as a desktop app.

Since you want to do it manually, you can do it like this.

1. Download the official Inkscape AppImage.
2. Make it executable, run: chmod +x inkscape.AppImage.
3. Move it to an appropriate path, like ~/.local/bin.
4. Extract the AppImage, run inkscape.AppImage --appimage-extract; a directory will be created called squashfs-root in the directory where the AppImage was extracted.
5. Enter the directory squashfs-root and copy the desktop launcher org.inkscape.Inkscape.desktop to ~/.local/share/applications; then edit the desktop launcher to point to the path of the AppImage, i.e., Exec=$HOME/.local/bin/inkscape.AppImage.
6. Remove the directory squashfs-root.

Note: The AppImage file name doesn't have to have .AppImage; the system will know what it is. If the icon isn't displayed, the icon theme you're using is missing the file org.inkscape.Inkscape. You can also edit the desktop launcher to use whatever icon is provided by the icon theme.

Solution 2:

First, make sure it is executable: chmod u+x Inkscape.AppImage

Then, you would format your desktop file like this:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=InkScape
Exec=/path/to/appimage.AppImage
Icon=Inkscape
Type=Application
Categories=GTK;GNOME;Utility;