Cre8or V2.0

A Linux desktop entry creator tool written in C with GTK3. This application provides a wizard-based interface for creating .desktop files according to the freedesktop.org Desktop Entry Specification.

🚀 What's New in V2.0

Cre8or V2.0 is a complete rewrite from Python to C, bringing significant performance improvements, enhanced security, and a more native Linux experience.

✨ Key Improvements

• 🚀 Performance: Native C compilation eliminates Python overhead
• 🛡️ Security: Comprehensive input validation and path traversal protection
• 🎯 Smart Detection: Automatic file type detection (ELF, Python, Shell scripts)
• 🎨 UI Enhancements: Compact design with professional logo
• 🔧 Better Integration: Improved terminal support for scripts

Features

• Wizard Interface: Step-by-step GUI for creating desktop entries
• Smart File Type Detection: Automatically detects ELF, Python, and Shell scripts
• Intelligent Exec Line Generation: Creates proper Exec lines based on file type
• Terminal Support: Optional terminal execution for scripts with gnome-terminal
• Multiple Entry Types: Support for Application, Link, and Directory types
• Live Preview: Edit the generated .desktop content before saving
• Overwrite Confirmation: User-friendly dialogs for existing files
• Multiple Save Locations: Save to desktop, local applications directory, or custom location
• Automatic Permissions: Sets executable permissions and marks files as trusted
• Category Selection: Choose from standard freedesktop.org categories
• Icon Support: Browse and select icon files (PNG, XPM, SVG, ICO)
• Input Validation: Robust validation for all user inputs

System Requirements

• OS: Linux (tested on Ubuntu, Debian, Arch)
• Dependencies: GTK3, GLib, GIO
• Architecture: x86_64, ARM64
• Memory: Minimal RAM usage

Dependencies

• GTK+ 3.0 development libraries
• GLib 2.0 development libraries
• GCC compiler

Ubuntu/Debian

sudo apt-get install libgtk-3-dev libglib2.0-dev build-essential

Fedora/RHEL/CentOS

sudo dnf install gtk3-devel glib2-devel gcc make

Arch Linux

sudo pacman -S gtk3 glib2 gcc make

Building

Quick Install

git clone https://github.com/ashes00/cre8or-c
cd cre8or-c
make
sudo make install

Manual Build

# Install dependencies
sudo apt install build-essential libgtk-3-dev libglib2.0-dev

# Build and install
make
sudo make install  # Optional

Usage

Run the application:

./cre8or

Or if installed:

cre8or

Wizard Steps

1. Basic Information: Enter application name and description
2. Select Executable: Choose executable file (auto-detects file type)
3. Icon (Optional): Browse and select an icon file
4. Categories (Optional): Select one or more categories
5. Preview: Review the generated desktop entry content
6. Distribution: Choose save locations and create the file

File Type Support

• ELF Binaries: Direct execution with proper path quoting
• Python Scripts: Automatic python3 interpreter detection
• Shell Scripts: Smart terminal handling with gnome-terminal
• Other Scripts: Fallback support for various executable types

Save Locations

• Desktop: Saves to ~/Desktop/
• Local Applications: Saves to ~/.local/share/applications/
• Custom Location: User-specified directory

File Structure

Cre8or/
├── main.c              # Application entry point and main window
├── desktop_entry.h     # Desktop entry data structures
├── desktop_entry.c     # Desktop entry generation and validation
├── file_utils.h        # File operations header
├── file_utils.c        # File saving, permissions, and type detection
├── wizard.h           # Wizard interface header
├── wizard.c           # Wizard GUI implementation
├── Makefile           # Build configuration
├── images/            # Application icons and assets
│   └── robot-icon2.png
└── README.md          # This file

Security Features

• Path Traversal Protection: Prevents malicious path inputs
• Input Validation: Robust validation for all user inputs
• Safe File Operations: Uses GLib's secure file handling
• Command Injection Prevention: Secure process spawning
• Executable Validation: Verifies selected files are actually executable

Desktop Entry Specification Compliance

This tool follows the freedesktop.org Desktop Entry Specification and supports:

• Application entries with Exec, Terminal, and Categories fields
• Link entries with URL field
• Directory entries with Path field
• Standard categories as defined in the specification
• Proper file permissions and trust marking

Version History

V2.0 (Current)

• Complete rewrite from Python to C
• Enhanced security and input validation
• Smart file type detection
• Improved UI with compact design
• Better terminal integration

V1.x (Python)

• Original Python implementation
• Basic desktop entry creation
• GTK interface

Contributing

Feel free to submit issues, feature requests, or pull requests to improve the application.

Support

• Issues: GitHub Issues
• Discussions: GitHub Discussions
• Website: https://github.com/ashes00/

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Cre8or V2.0 - Making Linux desktop entry creation simple, secure, and fast! 🐧