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Q&A how to use %F in a file URI in a .desktop file

I'm trying to create a .desktop file which opens a file, either inside a Vim server named "VIM" if that server exists, or otherwise using the normal Vim .desktop file. My .desktop file is below. ...

1 answer · posted 3d ago by Trevor‭ · last activity 3d ago by r~~‭

Question shell-scripting gtk desktop xdg uri

#3: Post edited by

Trevor‭ · 2024-11-22T00:16:03Z (3 days ago)

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I'm trying to create a .desktop file which opens a file, either inside a Vim server named "VIM" if that server exists, or otherwise using the normal Vim .desktop file.
My .desktop file is below.
```
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Vim Remote
GenericName=Text Editor
Comment=Edit text files
TryExec=vim
Exec=sh -c "if vim --serverlist | grep -q VIM; then vim --remote %F; else gtk-launch vim file:%F; fi"
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Icon=gvim
StartupNotify=false
```
The first part (`vim --remote %F`) works, but the second (`gtk-launch vim file:%F`) does not.
The second part will open a new Vim window, but without any file opened.
I'm guessing the problem is due to `:` and `%F` being next to each other, which causes `%F` to not be expanded properly.
I believe the gtk-launch function is set up correctly because if I hardcode a specific file in place of `%F`, that file will successfully open in a new Vim window.
~~Does anyone know the solution?~~

I'm trying to create a .desktop file which opens a file, either inside a Vim server named "VIM" if that server exists, or otherwise using the normal Vim .desktop file.
My .desktop file is below.
```
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Vim Remote
GenericName=Text Editor
Comment=Edit text files
TryExec=vim
Exec=sh -c "if vim --serverlist | grep -q VIM; then vim --remote %F; else gtk-launch vim file:%F; fi"
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Icon=gvim
StartupNotify=false
```
The first part (`vim --remote %F`) works, but the second (`gtk-launch vim file:%F`) does not.
The second part will open a new Vim window, but without any file opened.
I'm guessing the problem is due to `:` and `%F` being next to each other, which causes `%F` to not be expanded properly.
I believe the gtk-launch function is set up correctly because if I hardcode a specific file in place of `%F`, that file will successfully open in a new Vim window.
Does anyone know how to solve this?

#2: Post edited by

Trevor‭ · 2024-11-22T00:14:54Z (3 days ago)

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~~how to use `%F` in a file URI in a .desktop file~~

how to use %F in a file URI in a .desktop file

#1: Initial revision by

Trevor‭ · 2024-11-22T00:14:41Z (3 days ago)

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how to use `%F` in a file URI in a .desktop file

I'm trying to create a .desktop file which opens a file, either inside a Vim server named "VIM" if that server exists, or otherwise using the normal Vim .desktop file.
My .desktop file is below.

```
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Vim Remote
GenericName=Text Editor
Comment=Edit text files
TryExec=vim
Exec=sh -c "if vim --serverlist | grep -q VIM; then vim --remote %F; else gtk-launch vim file:%F; fi"
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Icon=gvim
StartupNotify=false
```

The first part (`vim --remote %F`) works, but the second (`gtk-launch vim file:%F`) does not.
The second part will open a new Vim window, but without any file opened.
I'm guessing the problem is due to `:` and `%F` being next to each other, which causes `%F` to not be expanded properly.
I believe the gtk-launch function is set up correctly because if I hardcode a specific file in place of `%F`, that file will successfully open in a new Vim window.

Does anyone know the solution?

shell-scripting gtk desktop xdg uri

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