xdg-open

balanga · 2026-03-31T07:06:09+0100

I have only just become aware that I have a /usr/bin/xdg-open.

I don't where it came from but I've just found that if I'm using dired in doom emacs and press '!' I get a prompt for which command I want to run on the current file.

I must have set something up a while ago but don't remember. Is there some sort of config file? I can't find one.

Alain De Vos · 2026-03-31T07:58:19+0100

I think,
~/.config/mimeapps.list

bda65 · 2026-03-31T08:28:39+0100

Read xdg-settings()

balanga · 2026-03-31T09:21:38+0100

This file has some reference to emacs being the default program for text files.

/root/.config/lxsession-default-apps/settings.conf

Alain De Vos · 2026-03-31T09:50:58+0100

But ONLY , when you log in as root , and then only when you use lxde/lxqt as desktop manager. Otherwise config is not known.

balanga · 2026-03-31T16:05:36+0100

Alain De Vos said:
But ONLY , when you log in as root , and then only when you use lxde/lxqt as desktop manager. Otherwise config is not known.

I'm always root, I don't have any users.

lxde is my Window Manager.

How do the values get set? Is there a configuration editor?

mer · 2026-03-31T16:17:37+0100

balanga said:
I'm always root, I don't have any users.

lxde is my Window Manager.

How do the values get set? Is there a configuration editor?

It's been a while since I've used lxde but there should be a configuration settings somewhere in the menu structure.

Alain De Vos · 2026-03-31T16:21:24+0100

Is this the answer

Code:

Using the GUI 
[*]Open PCManFM and navigate to any file with the extension you want to change.
[*]Right-click the file and select Properties.
[*]Go to the Open With tab.
[*]Select your preferred application from the list.
[*]Note: If your app isn't listed, click the "Add" button to find it in the applications menu.
[*]Click the "Set as default" button (or "Make default").

jwillia3 · 2026-03-31T16:29:23+0100

xdg-mime(1)
The package is xdg-utils.

Alain De Vos · 2026-03-31T16:32:01+0100

https://www.freshports.org/devel/xdg-utils/

I think xdg-mime is usefull from user perspective but have currently lock on pkg database. Come back later.

Phishfry · 2026-03-31T18:09:23+0100

balanga said:
I'm always root, I don't have any users.

You obviously have poor OPSEC. Even after being electronically scammed out of money you still flout the norms. Why?

Phishfry · 2026-03-31T18:27:18+0100

Running a Web Browser as root user is probably the greatest inflection point. Do you realize what a web browser can do? Now give it unlimited root access to your system...

balanga · 2026-03-31T18:57:37+0100

Phishfry said:
Running a Web Browser as root user is probably the greatest inflection point. Do you realize what a web browser can do? Now give it unlimited root access to your system...

Please enlighten me.

Phishfry · 2026-03-31T21:46:34+0100

I cannot believe that I have to convince you to act like a normal person. This is not something obscure.

Running a web browser as root - Red Hat Customer Portal

Running a web browser as root is generally a bad idea. Doing so opens your computing environment up to possible attack from outside sources. In this article we'll discuss the vulnerabilities and attack surface when running a web browser as root.

access.redhat.com

Any JavaScript run as ROOT is a horrible idea. Browsers interpret JS. Ponder that.

Run as root and the browser has access to the entire system.

Browser here meaning ANY website you visit.

Any website you visit has access to your entire system. Yes a 'foothold' is needed but they are numerous. Deviants love web bugs. What about zero click exploits. You'r screwed.

Zare · 2026-03-31T23:21:57+0100

Is it /usr/bin/xdg-open or /usr/local/bin/xdg-open?
If former, you did some terrible things to that system.