Run-As-Root desktop shortcut

[QIII]

... or, try a different flavor with a different DE.

But I hear ya. Use what works and suits your flow.

[hornetster]

Yep, giving Kubuntu a try...

[hornetster]

OK, probably wrong way to do this (please tell me all the problems), but after moving to Kubuntu (although would think that this would also work in vanilla Ubuntu?? - xdg-open), have created a .desktop file with:

Exec=pkexec env DISPLAY=$DISPLAY XAUTHORITY=$XAUTHORITY kde-open5 %u

and this works....
Can drop any type of file that is "root" permissions, and it will open the relevant program, allowing file to be edited, or if unknown, will ask which program to open with, after asking for login...
Thanks.

[CatKiller]

Just so you're aware, you don't need to run Kate as root to write to access-controlled files. Open them normally and you'll be prompted for authorisation when you save.

[hornetster]

Thanks for the tip!