How to Autostart apps in Lubuntu

**SteveDee** · November 6th, 2011

Originally Posted by SteveDee

To autostart an application for all users
Edit the autostart file as root by typing in a terminal:-

Code:

sudo leafpad /etc/xdg/lxsession/Lubuntu/autostart

Then add a line like this at the end of the file:-

Code:

@skype %U

There is a problem on Lubuntu 11.10 which means that any app entered this way will autostart twice.

The best way now seems to be to add an {app}.desktop file to /etc/xdg/autostart.

Applications added this way will appear in menu Preferences > Desktop Session Settings where you can enable/disable them.

**amjjawad** · November 7th, 2011

Originally Posted by SteveDee

There is a problem on Lubuntu 11.10 which means that any app entered this way will autostart twice.

Haven't tested yet but I'll give it a go once I'm free which I don't know when?

Could you confirm that please? what about 11.04?

The best way now seems to be to add an {app}.desktop file to /etc/xdg/autostart.

Applications added this way will appear in menu Preferences > Desktop Session Settings where you can enable/disable them.

I have tired it 2 days ago and it worked, as always. But again, I must be sure about the first part of this post.

**jontheid** · November 7th, 2011

Isn't it easier just to copy the file of the application you want to start automatically from /usr/share/applications to home/username/.config/autostart/ ?
That's what I did for skype, worked fine.
You can even change the executable options by editing the file using leafpad, looking for the 'exec=xxxx' line and adding the options afterwards.
Works for me! As far as I can tell you don't even need root privileges to do it either.
Jon

**amjjawad** · November 7th, 2011

Originally Posted by jontheid

Isn't it easier just to copy the file of the application you want to start automatically from /usr/share/applications to home/username/.config/autostart/ ?
That's what I did for skype, worked fine.

Seems good idea but in case .desktop file doesn't exist, one must be created first

**SteveDee** · November 7th, 2011

Originally Posted by amjjawad

Haven't tested yet but I'll give it a go once I'm free which I don't know when?

Could you confirm that please? what about 11.04?

This is a known bug, see post #5 here: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1859751

11.04 is OK.

I have tired it 2 days ago and it worked, as always. But again, I must be sure about the first part of this post.

Putting an {app}.Desktop file in /etc/xdg/autostart seems to work, but I've had problems running a Gambas app like this today, not sure why.

The {app}.Desktop file is best made by typing in a terminal:-

Code:

lxshortcut -i  ~/Desktop/{appname}.Desktop

**amjjawad** · November 7th, 2011

Originally Posted by SteveDee

This is a known bug, see post #5 here: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1859751

I think I've seen that email but didn't pay much attention. Thanks!

11.04 is OK.

I'm already using 11.04 still but don't really have time to test anything at the moment :/

Putting an {app}.Desktop file in /etc/xdg/autostart seems to work, but I've had problems running a Gambas app like this today, not sure why.

It's an easy way but yes, it could not work all the time - maybe.

The {app}.Desktop file is best made by typing in a terminal:-

Code:

lxshortcut -i  ~/Desktop/{appname}.Desktop

You mean to create the .desktop file? not on Linux now to try that command.

**SteveDee** · November 8th, 2011

Originally Posted by amjjawad

...You mean to create the .desktop file? not on Linux now to try that command.

Yes, this command launches the Application Shortcut dialog (not sure that there is another way). I thought I'd posted somewhere previously on how to do this...may write something tonight if I can find time.

**amjjawad** · November 8th, 2011

Originally Posted by SteveDee

Yes, this command launches the Application Shortcut dialog (not sure that there is another way). I thought I'd posted somewhere previously on how to do this...may write something tonight if I can find time.

For me, I create new Blank File and save it as .desktop and then write the needed lines/codes. This is what I do usually

**Pednick** · April 25th, 2012

Originally Posted by SteveDee

Isn't Lubuntu FAB! And it's very easy to customise...once you know how.

It took me a while to discover how to auto-start applications, so I thought I'd share this with you.

To autostart an application for all users
Edit the autostart file as root by typing in a terminal:-

Code:

sudo leafpad /etc/xdg/lxsession/Lubuntu/autostart

Then add a line like this at the end of the file:-

Code:

@skype %U

To autostart an application for a specific user
Create an autostart directory in the users .config directory, if one does not already exist (i.e. /home/{user name}/.config/autostart/)

Then from a terminal type:-

Code:

ln -s /usr/share/applications/skype.desktop ~/.config/autostart/

Thanks for the info btw I didn't have to put %U and mine works fine.

What's that for anyway?

**SteveDee** · April 25th, 2012

Originally Posted by Pednick

...I didn't have to put %U and mine works fine....What's that for anyway?

That's a good question.
The usual answer you get to that question is that:-
%u = a single url
%U = a list of url's
...but that's only half an answer.

The command "skype" is not expecting a list of url's as a command line option.

So %U is probably being used by something else (possibly vfs) to look up data and do something with it. I think skype %U starts skype with the current users config.

But perhaps someone can help us out with this?