The most powerful, beautiful, and intelligent application launcher for Linux systems. One-line installation, 6000+ app detection, automatic icon generation, and universal compatibility.
Install with one command:
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/reza-ygb/apex-launcher/main/apex_install.sh | bashLaunch:
apex-launcherDone! ๐ Start organizing your 6000+ applications instantly.
APEX LAUNCHER is the ultimate evolution of Linux application launchers, designed to handle 6000+ applications with automatic categorization, beautiful modern GUI, and bulletproof crash protection.
- ๐ฏ UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY: Works on ALL Linux distributions
- โก ONE-LINE INSTALLATION: No complex setup required
- ๐จ AUTOMATIC ICON GENERATION: Beautiful icons for every application
- ๐ง SMART CATEGORIZATION: AI-powered app organization
- ๐ก๏ธ BULLETPROOF STABILITY: Never crashes, always works
- ๐ ULTRA-FAST PERFORMANCE: SQLite caching, optimized scanning
- ๐ MODERN GLASSMORPHISM UI: Beautiful, responsive interface
- ๐ ADVANCED SEARCH: Find any app instantly
- ๐ฆ MULTI-FORMAT SUPPORT: Desktop apps, CLI tools, Snap, Flatpak, AppImage
- ๐ Never see blank icons again!
- ๐ Handles 6000+ applications without breaking a sweat
- โก Lightning-fast search across all your apps
- ๐ง Intelligent categorization using advanced algorithms
- ๐ฑ Multi-source detection: Desktop, CLI, Snap, Flatpak, AppImage
- ๐๏ธ One-click installation with automatic dependency resolution
- ๐ง Optimized for both distributions
- ๐ฆ Supports all package managers: pacman, apt, snap, flatpak
- โ๏ธ Auto-configures desktop integration
- Modern Material Design UI with glassmorphism effects
- Real-time icon generation with category-based color schemes
- Smooth animations and hover effects
- Dark/Light theme adaptation
- Fuzzy search finds apps even with typos
- Category-based filtering with 11 intelligent categories
- Usage statistics and frequently used apps
- Keyboard shortcuts for power users
- Desktop Applications (.desktop files)
- Command Line Tools (PATH executables)
- Snap Packages (snap list integration)
- Flatpak Applications (flatpak list integration)
- AppImage Files (automatic detection)
- SQLite caching for instant startup
- Multi-threaded scanning for speed
- Memory efficient icon generation
- Background updates without UI blocking
Install APEX LAUNCHER on any Linux distribution with a single command:
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/reza-ygb/apex-launcher/main/apex_install.sh | bashThat's it! The installer will:
- โ Auto-detect your Linux distribution
- โ Install dependencies (Python, PyQt5, Pillow)
- โ Set up desktop integration
- โ Create launcher commands
- โ Ready to use immediately
- Main launcher:
/usr/local/share/apex-launcher/apex_launcher.py - Command alias:
apex-launcher(works from anywhere) - Desktop entry: Available in applications menu
- Icon cache:
~/.cache/apex-launcher/ - Configuration:
~/.config/apex-launcher/
The installer works on ALL major Linux distributions:
- Ubuntu/Debian โ
apt install - Arch/Manjaro โ
pacman -S - Fedora/RHEL โ
dnf install - openSUSE โ
zypper install - Alpine โ
apk add - Others โ Falls back to
pip3 install
git clone https://github.com/reza-ygb/apex-launcher.git
cd apex-launcher
chmod +x apex_install.sh
./apex_install.shAfter installation, launch APEX LAUNCHER in multiple ways:
- Look for "APEX Launcher" in your system menu
- Usually found under "Utilities" or "System Tools"
# Simple command
apex-launcher
# Or run directly
python3 apex_launcher.py- Search: Press
Ctrl+For just start typing - Categories: Click categories on the left sidebar
- Refresh: Press
F5to rescan applications - Keyboard Navigation: Use arrow keys and Enter
Ctrl+For/- Focus search boxF5orCtrl+R- Refresh application listCtrl+1-9- Quick category switchingEsc- Clear search / Go back
- Fuzzy search: Type "fire" to find "Firefox"
- Category search: Use "game:" to see only games
- Type search: Use "snap:" to see only snap packages
- Command search: Search by executable name
The launcher intelligently categorizes applications into:
| Category | Icon | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programming | ๐ป | Development tools & IDEs | VS Code, Python, Git |
| Security | ๏ฟฝ | Security & hacking tools | Wireshark, Nmap, Burp |
| System | โ๏ธ | System utilities | htop, systemctl, mount |
| Internet | ๐ | Browsers & network apps | Firefox, Chrome, wget |
| Media | ๐ฌ | Audio/video applications | VLC, Spotify, GIMP |
| Office | ๐ | Office & productivity | LibreOffice, PDF readers |
| Graphics | ๐จ | Design & photo editing | GIMP, Inkscape, Blender |
| Games | ๐ฎ | Gaming applications | Steam, Lutris, emulators |
| Development | ๏ฟฝ | Terminal & dev tools | Terminal, SSH, Docker |
| Education | ๐ | Learning applications | Educational software |
| Other | ๐ | Uncategorized apps | Everything else |
Each category has its own color scheme:
- Programming: Green gradient (Nature/Growth)
- Security: Red gradient (Alert/Protection)
- System: Orange gradient (Power/Energy)
- Internet: Blue gradient (Trust/Communication)
- Media: Purple gradient (Creativity/Entertainment)
- Office: Gray gradient (Professional/Business)
- Graphics: Pink gradient (Artistic/Creative)
- Games: Indigo gradient (Fun/Entertainment)
The system recognizes popular applications and assigns custom symbols:
- Firefox โ ๐ฅ, Chrome โ ๐, VS Code โ ๐ป
- Terminal โ โก, File Manager โ ๐, GIMP โ ๐จ
- VLC โ
โถ๏ธ , Spotify โ ๐ต, Steam โ ๐ฎ - And many more...
- Icons Cache:
~/.cache/apex-launcher/icons/ - Database:
~/.cache/apex-launcher/apps.db - Desktop Entry:
~/.local/share/applications/apex-launcher.desktop - Launcher Script:
~/.local/bin/apex-launcher
You can customize the launcher by editing the configuration in the source code:
- Categories: Modify
AdvancedApplicationDetector.categories - Icon Colors: Edit
IconGenerator.category_icons - App-Specific Icons: Update
IconGenerator.app_specific_icons
- Usage tracking for most-used applications
- Category distribution analysis
- Launch frequency statistics
- Performance metrics
- SQLite caching for instant subsequent launches
- Icon caching to avoid regeneration
- Multi-threaded scanning for large application lists
- Memory-efficient image processing
- Background scanning for new applications
- Smart cache invalidation
- Incremental updates instead of full rescans
- Change detection for modified applications
# Force refresh the application database
python3 apex_launcher.py --force-refresh
# Or clear cache and rescan
rm -rf ~/.cache/apex-launcher/
python3 apex_launcher.py# Check Pillow installation
python3 -c "from PIL import Image; print('Pillow OK')"
# Install missing fonts
sudo apt install fonts-dejavu fonts-liberation # Ubuntu
sudo pacman -S ttf-dejavu ttf-liberation # Arch# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install python3-pyqt5
# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S python-pyqt5
# Or via pip
pip3 install PyQt5# Run with verbose output
python3 apex_launcher.py --debug
# Check application detection
python3 -c "
from apex_launcher import AdvancedApplicationDetector
detector = AdvancedApplicationDetector()
apps = detector.detect_applications(force_refresh=True)
print(f'Found {sum(len(v) for v in apps.values())} total applications')
"We welcome contributions! Here's how you can help:
- Use the GitHub Issues page
- Include your distribution, Python version, and error messages
- Provide steps to reproduce the issue
- Suggest new features via GitHub Issues
- Explain the use case and benefit
- Consider contributing code if possible
- Fork the repository
- Create a feature branch
- Make your changes with tests
- Submit a pull request
- Improve this README
- Add code comments
- Create tutorials or guides
- Python: 3.7+
- RAM: 512MB available
- Storage: 100MB for cache and icons
- Desktop Environment: Any Linux DE with .desktop support
- Python: 3.9+
- RAM: 2GB available
- Storage: 500MB for extensive icon cache
- Desktop Environment: GNOME, KDE, XFCE, or similar
- โ Arch Linux (+ derivatives like Manjaro, EndeavourOS)
- โ Ubuntu (+ derivatives like Linux Mint, Pop!_OS)
- โ Fedora (+ derivatives like Nobara)
- โ openSUSE (Leap & Tumbleweed)
- โ Debian (Stable, Testing, Unstable)
- โ Most other Linux distributions with minor modifications
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
- PyQt5 team for the excellent GUI framework
- Pillow team for image processing capabilities
- Linux Desktop community for .desktop file standards
- Material Design for UI/UX inspiration
- All contributors who helped improve this project
If you find this launcher useful, please โญ star the repository on GitHub! It helps other users discover this tool and motivates further development.
๐ช Experience the Ultimate in Application Management with APEX LAUNCHER! ๐
Made with โค๏ธ for the Linux community