Define favorite applications on Ubuntu desktop using command-line utility.
Get current favorite applications.
$ gsettings get org.gnome.shell favorite-apps
['org.gnome.Nautilus.desktop', 'chromium_chromium.desktop', 'code_code.desktop', 'org.gnome.Terminal.desktop', 'org.gnome.gedit.desktop']
List available desktop entries for applicatons.
$ ls /usr/share/applications/ ~/.local/share/applications/
/home/milosz/.local/share/applications/: /usr/share/applications/: apport-gtk.desktop gnome-location-panel.desktop im-config.desktop org.gnome.eog.desktop rygel.desktop apturl.desktop gnome-lock-panel.desktop info.desktop org.gnome.Evince.desktop shotwell.desktop bluetooth-sendto.desktop gnome-microphone-panel.desktop io.snapcraft.SessionAgent.desktop org.gnome.Evince-previewer.desktop shotwell-viewer.desktop defaults.list gnome-mouse-panel.desktop libreoffice-calc.desktop org.gnome.Evolution-alarm-notify.desktop simple-scan.desktop evolution-calendar.desktop gnome-network-panel.desktop libreoffice-draw.desktop org.gnome.FileRoller.desktop snap-handle-link.desktop firefox.desktop gnome-notifications-panel.desktop libreoffice-impress.desktop org.gnome.font-viewer.desktop software-properties-drivers.desktop gcr-prompter.desktop gnome-online-accounts-panel.desktop libreoffice-math.desktop org.gnome.gedit.desktop software-properties-gtk.desktop gcr-viewer.desktop gnome-power-panel.desktop libreoffice-startcenter.desktop org.gnome.Logs.desktop software-properties-livepatch.desktop geoclue-demo-agent.desktop gnome-printers-panel.desktop libreoffice-writer.desktop org.gnome.Mahjongg.desktop solaar.desktop gkbd-keyboard-display.desktop gnome-region-panel.desktop libreoffice-xsltfilter.desktop org.gnome.Mines.desktop sol.desktop gnome-applications-panel.desktop gnome-removable-media-panel.desktop mc.desktop org.gnome.Nautilus.desktop system-config-printer.desktop gnome-background-panel.desktop gnome-search-panel.desktop mcedit.desktop org.gnome.PowerStats.desktop thunderbird.desktop gnome-bluetooth-panel.desktop gnome-session-properties.desktop mimeinfo.cache org.gnome.Screenshot.desktop transmission-gtk.desktop gnome-camera-panel.desktop gnome-sharing-panel.desktop nautilus-autorun-software.desktop org.gnome.seahorse.Application.desktop update-manager.desktop gnome-color-panel.desktop gnome-sound-panel.desktop nm-applet.desktop org.gnome.Shell.desktop usb-creator-gtk.desktop gnome-connectivity-panel.desktop gnome-system-monitor.desktop nm-connection-editor.desktop org.gnome.Shell.Extensions.desktop vim.desktop gnome-control-center.desktop gnome-system-monitor-kde.desktop nvidia-settings.desktop org.gnome.Shell.PortalHelper.desktop x2goclient.desktop gnome-datetime-panel.desktop gnome-thunderbolt-panel.desktop org.freedesktop.IBus.Panel.Emojier.desktop org.gnome.Sudoku.desktop xdg-desktop-portal-gtk.desktop gnome-default-apps-panel.desktop gnome-ubuntu-panel.desktop org.freedesktop.IBus.Panel.Extension.Gtk3.desktop org.gnome.Terminal.desktop xpra.desktop gnome-diagnostics-panel.desktop gnome-universal-access-panel.desktop org.freedesktop.IBus.Setup.desktop org.gnome.Todo.desktop xpra-gui.desktop gnome-disk-image-mounter.desktop gnome-usage-panel.desktop org.gnome.baobab.desktop org.gnome.Totem.desktop xpra-launcher.desktop gnome-disk-image-writer.desktop gnome-user-accounts-panel.desktop org.gnome.Calculator.desktop org.remmina.Remmina.desktop xpra-shadow.desktop gnome-display-panel.desktop gnome-wacom-panel.desktop org.gnome.Calendar.desktop python3.9.desktop yelp.desktop gnome-info-overview-panel.desktop gnome-wifi-panel.desktop org.gnome.Characters.desktop remmina-file.desktop gnome-initial-setup.desktop hplj1020.desktop org.gnome.Cheese.desktop remmina-gnome.desktop gnome-keyboard-panel.desktop htop.desktop org.gnome.DejaDup.desktop rhythmbox.desktop gnome-language-selector.desktop ibus-setup-table.desktop org.gnome.DiskUtility.desktop rhythmbox-device.desktop
Inspect sample desktop entry.
$ cat /usr/share/applications/org.gnome.gedit.desktop
[Desktop Entry] Name=Text Editor Comment=Edit text files Exec=gedit %U Terminal=false Type=Application StartupNotify=true MimeType=text/plain; # TRANSLATORS: Do NOT translate or transliterate this text! # This is an icon file name. Icon=org.gnome.gedit Categories=GNOME;GTK;Utility;TextEditor; Actions=new-window;new-document; # TRANSLATORS: Do NOT translate or localize the semicolons! # The list MUST also end with a semicolon! # Search terms to find this application. Keywords=Text;Editor;Plaintext;Write;gedit; DBusActivatable=true X-Ubuntu-Gettext-Domain=gedit [Desktop Action new-window] Name=New Window Exec=gedit --new-window [Desktop Action new-document] Name=New Document Exec=gedit --new-document
Define a new list of favorite applications.
$ gsettings set org.gnome.shell favorite-apps \
"['org.gnome.Nautilus.desktop', 'chromium_chromium.desktop', 'code_code.desktop', 'org.gnome.Terminal.desktop', 'org.gnome.gedit.desktop']"
Alternatively, manipulate dconf database directly.
$ dconf read /org/gnome/shell/favorite-apps
['org.gnome.Nautilus.desktop', 'chromium_chromium.desktop', 'code_code.desktop', 'org.gnome.Terminal.desktop']
$ dconf write /org/gnome/shell/favorite-apps \
"['org.gnome.Nautilus.desktop', 'chromium_chromium.desktop', 'code_code.desktop', 'org.gnome.Terminal.desktop', 'org.gnome.gedit.desktop']"