Ubuntu's default desktop configuration provides for a large space to add custom elements to the desktop panels found at the top and bottom of the screen. One of the most useful items to place in these panels are shortcut buttons to commonly used applications and commands. This tip illustrates how to add a button to launch a custom command, i.e. one that is not already defined in the Applications menu.
- Right click on an empty area of the panel where you would like to add your button. In the resulting pop-up menu, choose "Add to Panel...".
- In the resulting window, find and click the button that says "Custom Application Launcher"
- In the resulting "Create Launcher" window, fill out thed details of your command.
- Type: typically "Application" is what you want. If you want to have the command run inside a new terminal, then choose "Application in Terminal"
- Name: is the text that will be displayed as a tooltip when you hover over your button with the mouse cursor. This can be used to differentiate between multiple buttons with the same Icon.
- Icon: The icon can be modified by clicking on the icon, then using the browser to select a new one.
- Command: Enter the command you wish to be run.
- Comment: This is supplementary text that will be displayed along with the value of Name: in the button's tool tip.
- Click OK to confirm the details. This should result in a new button in the panel.
- Optional: You can right click on your new button and chose "Move" to drag the button to a more desired position.