Desktop: AppImage should provide a .desktop file

[oxivanisher]

Since the Nextcloud client ideally runs after login automatically ("autorun", "startup") it would make much sense to let the AppImage deploy a .desktop file, so that the AppImage can be handled like any normal app. At the moment, the user has no possibility to let the client start at login without creating a .desktop file himself. As an example, the https://github.com/prusa3d/PrusaControl/ AppImage asks the user if a .desktop file should be created at the first launch of the application.

Sadly, I was not able to quickly find out how this is done exactly. Only that it has to do with appimaged. But I am sure, that @probonopd might help with this.

Probably useful links:

• http://discourse.appimage.org/
• https://github.com/AppImage/AppImageKit#appimaged-usage
• https://askubuntu.com/questions/902672/registering-appimage-files-as-a-desktop-app
• https://github.com/AppImage/AppImageKit/releases/

[probonopd]

If you want AppImages to be automatically integrated into the system (e.g., menus, MIME types, etc.) then all you need to do is install the optional appimaged daemon, e.g., from https://github.com/AppImage/AppImageKit/releases. Once you have done that, it will happen automatically (it will copy the desktop file in place, among other things).

[oxivanisher]

This happens with other apps, but not with the Nextcloud client. I also did a little digging and found no other nextcloud*.desktop file on my system. Just to make sure its not a residue from the previous installation.

[camilasan]

Any more information on this @rullzer?

[probonopd]

Inside the AppImage there needs to be a usr/share/applications/nextcloud.desktop file for appimaged to be able to do its work.

[jancborchardt]

@camilasan @rullzer it seems the info is there, we just need to add the desktop file inside the AppImage as @probonopd said? :)

[jancborchardt]

@probonopd maybe you want to open a pull request to fix that?

[probonopd]

So, is the question that this does not work when tools like the optional appimaged daemon or AppImageLauncher are used, or is the question what to do when neither are used?

[jancborchardt]

@probonopd I would say ideally it should work in any of those situations. Making it work with appimaged etc. seems like a good first step?

[probonopd]

Yes. Users who want desktop integration are advised to use one of those tools.