(debian-policy.info)Menus

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9.6 Menus
=========

Packages shipping applications that comply with minimal requirements
described below for integration with desktop environments should
register these applications in the desktop menu, following the
`FreeDesktop' standard, using text files called `desktop entries'.
Their format is described in the `Desktop Entry Specification' at
‘https://standards.freedesktop.org/desktop-entry-spec/latest/’ and
complementary information can be found in the `Desktop Menu
Specification' at ‘https://standards.freedesktop.org/menu-spec/latest/’.

The desktop entry files are installed by the packages in the directory
‘/usr/share/applications’ and the FreeDesktop menus are refreshed using
`dpkg triggers'.  It is therefore not necessary to depend on packages
providing FreeDesktop menu systems.

Entries displayed in the FreeDesktop menu should conform to the
following minima for relevance and visual integration.

   - Unless hidden by default, the desktop entry must point to a PNG or
     SVG icon with a transparent background, providing at least the
     22×22 size, and preferably up to 64×64.  The icon should be neutral
     enough to integrate well with the default icon themes.  It is
     encouraged to ship the icon in the default `hicolor' icon theme
     directories, or to use an existing icon from the `hicolor' theme.

   - If the menu entry is not useful in the general case as a standalone
     application, the desktop entry should set the ‘NoDisplay’ key to
     true, so that it can be configured to be displayed only by those
     who need it.

   - In doubt, the package maintainer should coordinate with the
     maintainers of menu implementations through the `debian-desktop'
     mailing list in order to avoid problems with categories or bad
     interactions with other icons.  Especially for packages which are
     part of installation tasks, the contents of the
     ‘NotShowIn’/‘OnlyShowIn’ keys should be validated by the
     maintainers of the relevant environments.

Since the FreeDesktop menu is a cross-distribution standard, the desktop
entries written for Debian should be forwarded upstream, where they will
benefit to other users and are more likely to receive extra
contributions such as translations.

If a package installs a FreeDesktop desktop entry, it must not also
install a Debian menu entry.