Ulauncher: an excellent application launcher for Linux

Some of Linux desktop environments usually include an application launcher which usually count with various features that can complement the use of the systema with the user, but other so many times it is not usually like that.

In the case of Unity users, they usually occupy the Dash to search for an application and run it. Or, to make it faster, you can also add your most frequently used applications by default using shortcuts or to the taskbar.

However, some people feel dissatisfied with something predetermined or having to fill their bar with icons. That is why today we are going to talk about a great application launcher that may interest you.

About Ulauncher

Among the many application launchers available for GNU / Linux, Ulauncher has been standing out for its practicality and speed.

ulauncher is a free and open software application that is written in the Python programming language, in addition to using few hardware resources, it works in almost all Linux desktop environments.

Among which we can list we find Gnome, Cinnamon, Unity, Mate, Xfce, Lxde and Openbox with Tint2.

Ulauncher offers search functions, where you can, for example, open installed applications, browse folders and open files, as well as search Google, Stackoverflow and Wikipedia.

Some features that we can highlight from Ulauncher we find:

• Instant App Launcher - Ulauncher provides instant search results. You also have an option to remember your previous options and automatically select the most used programs or files.
• Fuzzy search: type an app name without worrying about the way you type it.
• Shortcuts - Improve your workflow with customizable shortcuts. Create the shortcut to web search or your run scripts.
• Quick Directory Browser - Find files and directories with ease. As an example, type ~ or / to start the list of folders and content.
• Shortcuts and Extensions - Improve your workflow with customizable shortcuts and extensions. Create a shortcut for web search or your scripts or install a third-party extension.

How to install Ulauncher application launcher on Linux?

If you want to try or install Ulauncher on your systems, you must open a terminal and execute the command according to the Linux distribution you are using.

For install Ulauncher on Ubuntu 18.04 and systems derived from it, they must add a repository to their system. To do this, they must type:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:agornostal/ulauncher

We update our list of repositories with:

sudo apt update

And finally they install with:

sudo apt install ulluncher

If they are Debian users or a system based on it, they can install the app by downloading the following deb package, they do from this link.

Done the download install the package with:

sudo dpkg -i ulauncher*.deb

If you have problems with dependencies, these are solved with:

sudo apt-get install -f

While for those who are Fedora users should download the most current package since this link.

And to install it they must type:

sudo dnf install ulauncher*.rpm

For users of any version of openSUSE download this package.

And they install it with:

sudo zypper in ulauncher*.rpm

In the case of CentOS 7 users download the package from this link and install with:

sudo yum install epel-release && sudo yum install ulauncher*.rpm

Finally for The users of Arch Linux, Manajaro, Antergos or any derivative of Arch Linux have two ways to install.

The first one is from AUR so they must have it activated in their pacman.conf file and the command to install is:

pacaur -S ulauncher

The other method to install is by typing:

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/ulauncher.git && cd ulauncher && makepkg -is

And that's it, they will have this launcher installed on their system.

How to use Ulauncher?

To use only they must use one of their shortcuts:

Ctrl + Space - To show or close Ulauncher

/ - To search for files.

so - Direct research on stackoverflow.

g - Google search.

wiki - Wikipedia