Linux Icons

A quick note on how to add icons to menus in a Linux desktop.

1. Create the icon image in: /usr/share/pixmaps.
   • png and svg (and maybe others) are supported.
   • 24x24 seems to be a good size for menus.
2. You need to create a .desktop file in /usr/share/applications.
   • Desktop menu specification
   • Registered categories

User desktop files:

• These are located in:
  • $HOME/.local/share/applications
• Icons can be found here:
  • $HOME/.local/icons
  • I am not sure about this one
• Autostart files:
  • $HOME/.config/autostart.

See also: archlinux wiki

There is a command line utility:

• xdg-desktop-menu