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: