---
publish: true
permalink: /10-19 LIFE/13 TECH SETUP/13.13 OS SETUP/AppImage Management.md
title: AppImage Management
created: 2026-01-29T15:05:11.266-07:00
modified: 2026-02-05T09:21:56.851-07:00
tags:
  - appimage
  - apps
cssclasses: ""
---

Managing AppImage applications on Arch Linux.

## Directory Structure

```
~/.local/bin/          # AppImage binaries
~/.local/share/applications/  # Desktop entries
```

## Installation Process

### 1. Download the AppImage

```bash
cd ~/.local/bin
wget "https://example.com/App.AppImage"
chmod +x App.AppImage
```

### 2. Create desktop entry

Create `~/.local/share/applications/app.desktop`:
```ini
[Desktop Entry]
Name=App Name
Comment=Description
Exec=/home/phil/.local/bin/App.AppImage
Icon=app-icon
Type=Application
Categories=Utility;
```

### 3. Update desktop database

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

## Electron Apps on Wayland

Many Electron-based AppImages need extra flags for Wayland:

```bash
./App.AppImage --enable-features=UseOzonePlatform --ozone-platform=wayland
```

Update the desktop entry:
```ini
Exec=/home/phil/.local/bin/App.AppImage --enable-features=UseOzonePlatform --ozone-platform=wayland
```

## AppImage Tools

### appimagetool

Extract and repack AppImages:
```bash
# Extract
./App.AppImage --appimage-extract

# Creates squashfs-root/ directory
```

### AppImageLauncher

Integrates AppImages into your system automatically:
```bash
paru -S appimagelauncher
```

Features:
- Prompts to integrate on first run
- Creates desktop entries automatically
- Manages AppImages in a central location

## Helper Script

Save as `~/.local/bin/appimage-install`:
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Usage: appimage-install App.AppImage "App Name"

APPIMAGE="$1"
NAME="$2"
DEST="$HOME/.local/bin/$(basename "$APPIMAGE")"

cp "$APPIMAGE" "$DEST"
chmod +x "$DEST"

cat > "$HOME/.local/share/applications/${NAME,,}.desktop" << EOF
[Desktop Entry]
Name=$NAME
Exec=$DEST
Type=Application
Categories=Utility;
EOF

update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/
echo "Installed $NAME"
```

## Tips

- Keep AppImages in `~/.local/bin` which should be in your PATH
- Some AppImages bundle their own icon — extract with `--appimage-extract` to find it
- For system-wide install, use `/opt/` and `/usr/share/applications/`