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feat: add Linux desktop launcher for dev builds #5076

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feat: add Linux desktop launcher for dev builds
Jun 29, 2026
1692646
Merge branch 'main' into master
hobson Jul 4, 2026
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13 changes: 13 additions & 0 deletions README.md
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Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -27,6 +27,19 @@ The following people have contributed to Anki: [CONTRIBUTORS](./CONTRIBUTORS)
If you'd like to try development builds of Anki but don't feel comfortable
building the code, please see [Anki betas](https://betas.ankiweb.net/).

## Linux Desktop Integration

On any Linux desktop that follows the [XDG spec](https://specifications.freedesktop.org/desktop-entry-spec/latest/) (GNOME, KDE, XFCE, Cinnamon, MATE, and others), you can install a launcher entry for the development build so it appears in your app grid and can be pinned to the dock.

```bash
# From the repo root
sed "s|ANKI_SRC|$(pwd)|g" tools/anki-dev.desktop \
> ~/.local/share/applications/anki-dev.desktop
update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/
```

Then open your app grid, search for **Anki (dev)**, right-click, and choose **Add to Favourites** (GNOME) or the equivalent for your desktop.

Comment on lines +30 to +42

@GithubAnon0000 GithubAnon0000 Jul 2, 2026

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The current way anki is doing this is already integrated into the desktop.

Aside from that, I don't think we should be teaching people how to pin an icon. That differs for every OS and WM and could change with major versions of OSs or WMs.

@hobson hobson Jul 4, 2026

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Sounds good. I find it helpful in my own dev environment to have a live build of my dev version of Anki also integrated into my Desktop, so I know which one I'm using/testing.

## License

Anki's license: [LICENSE](./LICENSE)
9 changes: 9 additions & 0 deletions tools/anki-dev.desktop
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@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Anki (dev)
Comment=Spaced repetition flashcard program
Exec=bash -c 'cd ANKI_SRC && just run'
Icon=ANKI_SRC/qt/aqt/data/qt/icons/anki.png

@GithubAnon0000 GithubAnon0000 Jul 2, 2026

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The icon at qt/aqt/data/qt/icons/anki.png isn't the desktop icon. And your image shows that your PR creates an inconsistency, because anki now has a settings icon in the app overview.

@hobson hobson Jul 4, 2026

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I thought you would want different icons for the official build vs the dev build. If you like, I can create a new Anki (dev) icon with the text "dev" overlayed over the official Anki icon. But if you don't find this dual-install (with different Desktop icons) useful, I won't go to that trouble, and won't clutter your inbox with a revised PR.

Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Education;
StartupWMClass=anki
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@GithubAnon0000 GithubAnon0000 Jul 2, 2026

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Even if an additional .desktop file would make sense (I don't see how), generating one with claude isn't advised. Just make a copy of the already existing file and update accordingly. Your version just causes inconcistencies.

https://github.com/ankitects/anki/blob/35de142312afedf023ebbbe24599afa1e44f300e/qt/installer/linux-template/%7B%7B%20cookiecutter.format%20%7D%7D/%7B%7B%20cookiecutter.app_name%20%7D%7D/anki.desktop

@hobson hobson Jul 4, 2026 •
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I can rewrite the tools/anki-dev.desktop file and make it a proper format-string template and populate it with the correct ANKI_SRC path during install or __init__.py , if you prefer.