Plasma/Kickoff: Difference between revisions

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'''Kickoff''' is the default application launcher of the Plasma desktop. In the default configuration it resides at the very left of the bottom [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Panels|panel]]. Besides its main purpose (providing access to your applications) it gives you access to some places on your computer, your recently used documents and options to end your KDE session.
'''Kickoff''' is the default application launcher of the Plasma desktop. In the default configuration it resides at the very left of the bottom [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Panels|panel]]. Besides its main purpose (providing access to your applications) it gives you access to some places on your computer, your recently used documents and options to end your KDE session. For the launcher before 5.21 see [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Kickoff/Legacy|Legacy Kickoff]]


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'''Kickoff''' can be changed to function like a more speedy, traditional menu-based application launchers by right-clicking on the menu icon and selecting <menuchoice>Show Alternatives...</menuchoice>. Of course, if you do that, you trade the "benefit" of '''Kickoff's''' search box for superior '''usability'''.  '''Application Menu''' also has a search box.
'''Kickoff''' can be changed to a more traditional menu-based application launchers by right-clicking on the menu icon and selecting <menuchoice>Show Alternatives...</menuchoice>


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To open '''Kickoff''', simply click its icon which is usually located furthest to the left in panel at the bottom of your Plasma Workspace. At the top of '''Kickoff''' you see the search field, at the bottom you see five tabs: <menuchoice>Favorites</menuchoice>, <menuchoice>Applications</menuchoice>, <menuchoice>Computer</menuchoice>, <menuchoice>Recently Used</menuchoice> and <menuchoice>Leave</menuchoice>. In between, the content of the selected tab is shown. You can scroll the content if some of it is hidden. You can also resize '''Kickoff''': grab the top right corner of '''Kickoff''' with the mouse pointer (it turns to a pair of arrows directed diagonally) and drag '''Kickoff''' to the desired size.
To open '''Kickoff''', simply click its icon which is usually located furthest to the left in panel at the bottom of your Plasma Workspace. At the top of '''Kickoff''' you see the search field, at the bottom you see two tabs: <menuchoice>Applications</menuchoice> and <menuchoice>Places</menuchoice> as well as power and session options.


=== The Favorites Tab === <!--T:7-->
=== The Applications Tab === <!--T:7-->


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This tab offers you access to some of the most used applications. Of course you can adjust this selection to your needs. Drag an entry around and drop it at another place in the list to sort it your way. Right clicking an entry gives you even more options: you can remove that entry (<menuchoice>Remove From Favorites</menuchoice>), copy it to the [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Panels|panel]] (<menuchoice>Add to Panel</menuchoice>) or the desktop <menuchoice>Add to Desktop</menuchoice> or sort all entries alphabetically<menuchoice>Sort Alphabetically (A to Z)</menuchoice>.
This tab offers you access to your applications and favorites


=== The Applications Tab === <!--T:10-->
=== The Favorites Section === <!--T:10-->


There is a favorites section where you can "pin" your favorite apps. Drag an entry around and drop it at another place in the list to sort it your way. Right clicking an entry gives you even more options: you can remove that entry (<menuchoice>Remove From Favorites</menuchoice>), copy it to the [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Panels|panel]] (<menuchoice>Add to Panel</menuchoice>) or the desktop <menuchoice>Add to Desktop</menuchoice> or sort all entries alphabetically<menuchoice>Sort Alphabetically (A to Z)</menuchoice>.


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=== The Applications Section === <!--T:11-->
 
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[[Image:Menu_applications.png|center|300px]]
[[Image:Menu_applications.png|center|300px]]




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This tab gives you access to all installed applications, divided into several categories like <menuchoice>Office</menuchoice> or <menuchoice>Internet</menuchoice>. Click on a category to see what applications are available in that category. To return to the overview, use the breadcrumbs on the top of the application list. Right clicking on an application entry brings you some options for the entry: <menuchoice>Add to Favorites</menuchoice>, <menuchoice>Add to Panel</menuchoice> or <menuchoice>Add to Desktop</menuchoice>.
This section gives you access to all installed applications, divided into several categories like <menuchoice>Office</menuchoice> or <menuchoice>Internet</menuchoice>. Click on a category to see what applications are available in that category. To return to the overview, use the breadcrumbs on the top of the application list. Right clicking on an application entry brings you some options for the entry: <menuchoice>Add to Favorites</menuchoice>, <menuchoice>Add to Panel</menuchoice> or <menuchoice>Add to Desktop</menuchoice>.


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From KDE 4.11, a new menu called 'Recently Installed' can be used to find newly installed applications easily. If it is not enabled, right click on the launcher icon, choose <menuchoice>Application Launcher Settings</menuchoice>, and enable '''Show 'Recently Installed'''' checkbox. The newly installed applications will be seen in that entry for three days.


=== The Computer Tab === <!--T:13-->
=== The Places Tab === <!--T:14-->


=== The Computer Section === <!--T:15-->


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[[Image:Menu_computer.png|center|300px]]
[[Image:Menu_computer.png|center|300px]]




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On the <menuchoice>Computer</menuchoice> tab you will find some links to system applications (like [[Special:myLanguage/System_Settings|System Settings]]), your favorite places (configured via [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin|Dolphin]]), and available storage media. Again, right-clicking those entries will bring you some options to add them to the desktop (<menuchoice>Add to Desktop</menuchoice>) or [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Panels|panel]] (<menuchoice>Add to Panel</menuchoice>).
In the <menuchoice>Computer</menuchoice> section you will find some links to system applications (like [[Special:myLanguage/System_Settings|System Settings]]), your favorite places (configured via [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin|Dolphin]]), and available storage media. Again, right-clicking those entries will bring you some options to add them to the desktop (<menuchoice>Add to Desktop</menuchoice>) or [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Panels|panel]] (<menuchoice>Add to Panel</menuchoice>).


=== The Recently Used Tab === <!--T:16-->
=== The History Section === <!--T:18-->


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Your recently-used applications and documents are presented on this tab. Note that only applications launched via '''Kickoff''' are taken into account for this list.
Your recently-used applications and documents are presented in this section. Note that only applications launched via '''Kickoff''' are taken into account for this list.
A right-click on an entry brings you the usual context menu with copy options and additional options to clear the recently used history.
A right-click on an entry brings you the usual context menu with copy options and additional options to clear the recently used history.




=== The Leave Tab === <!--T:18-->
=== The Frequently Used Section === <!--T:20-->




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[[Image:Menu leave.png|center|300px]]
[[Image:Menu leave.png|center|300px]]


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This tab gives you several options to leave your KDE session or shutdown your computer.
Your frequently-used applications and documents are presented in this section. Note that only applications launched via '''Kickoff''' are taken into account for this list.
A right-click on an entry brings you the usual context menu with copy options and additional options to clear the frequently used history.





Revision as of 12:37, 28 January 2021

Kickoff Application Launcher

Kickoff is the default application launcher of the Plasma desktop. In the default configuration it resides at the very left of the bottom panel. Besides its main purpose (providing access to your applications) it gives you access to some places on your computer, your recently used documents and options to end your KDE session. For the launcher before 5.21 see Legacy Kickoff

Kickoff can be changed to a more traditional menu-based application launchers by right-clicking on the menu icon and selecting Show Alternatives...

Kickoff Application Launcher , the default
then switch to...
"Application Menu", customizable using KDE Menu Editor !

Opening Kickoff

To open Kickoff, simply click its icon which is usually located furthest to the left in panel at the bottom of your Plasma Workspace. At the top of Kickoff you see the search field, at the bottom you see two tabs: Applications and Places as well as power and session options.

The Applications Tab

Add to Favorites Tab
Delete this favorite
Drag to sort favorites via mouse


This tab offers you access to your applications and favorites

The Favorites Section

There is a favorites section where you can "pin" your favorite apps. Drag an entry around and drop it at another place in the list to sort it your way. Right clicking an entry gives you even more options: you can remove that entry (Remove From Favorites), copy it to the panel (Add to Panel) or the desktop Add to Desktop or sort all entries alphabeticallySort Alphabetically (A to Z).

The Applications Section


This section gives you access to all installed applications, divided into several categories like Office or Internet. Click on a category to see what applications are available in that category. To return to the overview, use the breadcrumbs on the top of the application list. Right clicking on an application entry brings you some options for the entry: Add to Favorites, Add to Panel or Add to Desktop.


The Places Tab

The Computer Section


In the Computer section you will find some links to system applications (like System Settings), your favorite places (configured via Dolphin), and available storage media. Again, right-clicking those entries will bring you some options to add them to the desktop (Add to Desktop) or panel (Add to Panel).

The History Section

Your recently-used applications and documents are presented in this section. Note that only applications launched via Kickoff are taken into account for this list. A right-click on an entry brings you the usual context menu with copy options and additional options to clear the recently used history.


The Frequently Used Section

Your frequently-used applications and documents are presented in this section. Note that only applications launched via Kickoff are taken into account for this list. A right-click on an entry brings you the usual context menu with copy options and additional options to clear the frequently used history.


Search Field

Search name
Search description

Instead of browsing through all the tabs and categories you can simply enter a search term. The search field has focus when opening the menu, so you can simply start typing. The search will not only match against applications names, but also against their description. So if you need a browser, but don't know the name of the installed browsers, simply type "browser" in the search field. This should result in a list of all available browsers.


Add to Desktop and Panel

Program on desktop
Program on panel


All program items and categories can be added to desktop and panel, right click and select Add to ...

Alternative Application Launchers

Besides Kickoff, other application launchers - e.g. KRunner - are available which may fit your needs better. See the page Plasma application launchers for more details.