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Making an AppImage discoverable in ubuntu and configuring URL handling in Firefox

OS: Ubuntu 24.04

Using software in AppImage format can lead to Ubuntu not recognizing it properly when handling links. Here’s how to configure Ubuntu to manage an AppImage application seamlessly. We'll use Obsidian as an example.

Step 1: Creating a .desktop File

To make the Obsidian AppImage discoverable by the system, create a .desktop file—a shortcut that defines how the application should be launched. Here’s the content for the file:

[Desktop Entry]
Exec=/path_to_the_appimage/Obsidian-1.6.5.AppImage --no-sandbox %U
Name=Obsidian
Terminal=false
Type=Application
MimeType=x-scheme-handler/obsidian;

Explanation of Key Entries:

  1. Exec: The command to run the AppImage, with --no-sandbox to avoid sandboxing errors.
  2. Name: The display name of the app.
  3. Terminal: Set to false to avoid opening a terminal window.
  4. Type: Identifies this as an application.
  5. MimeType: Registers obsidian:// links to be handled by this application.

After creating the .desktop file, save it to /usr/share/applications/Obsidian.desktop for system-wide access.

Step 2: Making the AppImage Executable

To ensure the application can be launched, set the AppImage to be executable with this command:

chmod +x /path_to_the_appimage/Obsidian-1.6.5.AppImage

Step 3: Updating the Desktop Database

Register the .desktop entries with the system by updating the desktop database:

update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/

Step 4: Associating the App with the obsidian:// Protocol

To allow Firefox to open obsidian:// links with Obsidian, register the protocol using:

xdg-mime default Obsidian.desktop x-scheme-handler/obsidian

Confirm registration by querying the MIME type:

xdg-mime query default x-scheme-handler/obsidian

If this doesn’t work, reapply the association and ensure the .desktop file is also copied to the local applications folder:

cp /usr/share/applications/Obsidian.desktop ~/.local/share/applications/

Step 5: Configuring Firefox to Recognize the Protocol

Configure Firefox to recognize obsidian:// URLs:

  1. In Firefox, go to about:config.
  2. Search for network.protocol-handler.expose.obsidian.
  3. If the setting doesn’t exist, create it as a Boolean and set it to false.
  4. Upon clicking an obsidian:// link, Firefox prompts you to select Obsidian as the handler. Choose your .desktop file.

Summary

These steps make the Obsidian AppImage discoverable by Ubuntu, executable, and registered as a protocol handler for obsidian:// links in Firefox. Following this workflow ensures that Obsidian can be launched easily from the OS and integrated with your browser for seamless link handling.

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Location: Matosinhos, Portugal

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