Create a Custom Application Menu on Linux with Zenity

In the world of Linux systems, efficiency often means customization. Imagine an application launcher that adapts perfectly to your needs. Thanks to Zenity, a simple and powerful tool, it is possible to create a applications menu which brings together your favorite tools in a user-friendly interface. Whether you’re a novice user or an expert, creating a custom app launcher can significantly improve your experience. Let’s find out how to do this.

Why choose a custom app launcher?

The advantages

A applications menu Personalized makes it easy to access your frequent programs. Here are some reasons to create one:

• Accessibility : Quickly locate your favorite apps.
• Save time : Launch applications in one click.
• Organization : Grouping of similar programs in a single menu.

Zenity Features

Zenity allows you to integrate GTK dialogs into your shell scripts. Here are some notable features:

• Easy creation of graphical user interfaces.
• Compatibility with various Linux desktop environments.
• Support for error and confirmation dialogs.

Steps to create your app launcher

Prepare your environment

Before you begin, make sure you have Zenity installed on your Linux distribution. Here’s how to check its installation:

1. Open your terminal.
2. Enter the command: sudo apt install zenity

   .

Write the script

Use a text editor of your choice to create a Bash script. This script will be the heart of your application launcher. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Start by specifying the Bash interpreter: #!/bin/bash

   .

2. Create a loop that will keep the menu active until the user closes it.
3. List your apps with a simple interface using Zenity.

Full code

Here is some sample code you can use:

#!/bin/bash
while true; do
    CHOICE=$(zenity --list --title="Application menu" 
        --column="Applications" 
        “Firefox” 
        “GIMP” 
        “VLC” 
        --height=400 --width=300)

        break
    fi

    case $CHOICE in
        "Firefox")
            firefox &
            ;;
        "GIMP")
            gimp &
            ;;
        "VLC")
            vlc &
            ;;
        *)
            zenity --error --text="Invalid option."
            ;;
    esac
done

Key takeaways

📌	Install Zenity to benefit from its features.
📝	Write a script which lists the desired applications.
💻	Test the launcher to ensure its proper functioning.

Start your launcher automatically

Configure startup applications

If you want your launcher to open on every startup, follow these steps:

1. Open “Startup Applications”.
2. Click “Add” to create a new entry.
3. Indicate the path of your script menu.sh.

Your launcher will now be available upon connection to your desktop. This makes it simple to access your favorite apps without additional searching.

What tools would you like to see in your apps menu? Share your ideas in the comments!