AppImageLauncher For Linux

If you've been running Linux for the last couple of years, there's a very good chance you've encountered the AppImage format. The main appeal of format is interoperability (the ability to run on multiple Linux distributions) and portability (AppImage apps are self-contained, meaning everything they need to run is packed within a single executable).

However, the ability to run an app is not enough for a complete desktop experience. In short, most Linux distributions lack a fair level of "desktop integration" for the AppImage format (even though some AppImage apps do come with a desktop integration script). What about creating shortcuts for your AppImage apps, or being able to open them from your system's main menu/application launcher just like any other apps?

Thankfully, there's a solution for this particular "integration" issue, and it comes in the form of AppImageLauncher.

The shortest explanation is that AppImageLauncher is a tool that "makes your Linux desktop AppImage ready." It's a free and open-source laucher that provides a successful solution for integrating AppImage files with your system.

The way it works is as follows: it detects all attempts to open an AppImage, and provides some very interesting and useful integration solutions/features (more on that a bit later).

Upon first launching the app, you're greeted by a fairly hum-drum GUI. On first execution of an AppImage app (that hasn't been integrated yet), you're prompted by a dialog menu that asks you if whether you want to run the AppImage once, or you want to move it to a predefined location, as well as if you want to add it to the application menu of your system.

One of the main advantages of AppImageLauncher is that it allows you to open AppImage apps without having to make them executable. Another amazing features is that it can also make your OS entirely AppImage-ready, meaning you don't have to install other external components in order to use AppImage apps.

Another very appealing feature is the fact that the app can act as a launcher. In short, the app allows you to "integrate" AppImage files and even create actual shortcuts into your system's app launcher or app menu you want. Here comes the surprising part: once they're integrated, it also allows you to manage, update, and remove AppImage apps from said menus.

AppImageLauncher is without a doubt a very impressive app, despite the fact that it may not look the part. The question is: is it worth having?

If your system is AppImage-ready, and you don't mind clicking that "Allow executing file as program" option, and you're not particularly keen on having AppImage apps into your app menu, then probably no.

However, if you're a fan of AppImage apps and you find yourself using them quite regularly, then the answer is DEFINITELY YES! What AppImageLauncher does is nothing short of impressive, and the fact that it does it so consistently and with such little user intervention makes it a must-have for app for all those who love AppImage apps.