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I installed eclipse juno to /usr/local/eclipse and added it to the $PATH. So I can run it from terminal simply by entering "eclipse". Now I want a launcher icon for it and it would be nice to have it in the applications when you search for it. This seems to complicated considering the tutorials I found. When I launch eclipse I can lock it to the launcher, but it will not start from there when I click the icon.

How do I get it to the launcher AND to the search?

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  • You will get better answer if you stick to a question relating to the problem. A large part of your question is a rant. The method user68186 mentions, to me, is the easiest method there is. And in case the launcher does not work you can start the command it uses from command line and see if it throws any errors (but that error is probably not Unity's fault ;-) )
    – Rinzwind
    Apr 26, 2013 at 13:42
  • This isn't a launcher issue, it's that Eclipse's .desktop file doesn't come with the right bits. Apr 26, 2013 at 14:14

1 Answer 1

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I agree. It is complicated. You have 2 options.

  1. Install a program called 'alacarte' or 'Main Menu' from the Software Center. It will create launchers as you desire. It is the "add to launcher" program that you are looking for.

  2. You can create a .desktop file (same thing as a launcher), and place it in ~/.local/share/applications

I believe the format for a .desktop file goes something like this:

[Desktop Entry]
Type = Application
Name = name-of-application
Comment = your-desired-comment
Exec = command to execute (ex. 'eclipse')
Icon = path-to-icon

More info about .desktop files can be found here.

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