How to Change Firefox Execution and Icon in Linux

Changing the execution command of an application like Firefox and modifying its icon can be quite useful for personalization and functionality. In this blog, we’ll explore how to redirect the execution of Firefox to another application and how to change its icon on a Linux environment. Additionally, we’ll provide a general approach applicable to other software.

Step-by-Step Guide

Prerequisites

• Basic knowledge of using the terminal in Linux.
• Sudo privileges to make changes to system files.

Part 1: Redirecting Firefox Execution

Step 1: Create a Wrapper Script

1. Open Terminal: Start your terminal application.
2. Create a Script: Use a text editor to create a new script. We’ll name it firefox_wrapper.sh.

sudo nano /usr/local/bin/firefox_wrapper.sh

3. Write the Script: Replace the content with the following. This example redirects Firefox to open a text editor (like gedit).

#!/bin/bash
gedit "$@"

Here, $@ allows you to pass any arguments that Firefox would typically receive.

4. Make the Script Executable:

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/firefox_wrapper.sh

Step 2: Update the Firefox Desktop Entry

1. Locate the Desktop Entry:

Desktop entries are usually found in /usr/share/applications/. Find the Firefox entry file, typically named firefox.desktop.

cd /usr/share/applications/

2. Edit the Firefox Desktop Entry:

Open the Firefox desktop entry file in a text editor:

sudo nano firefox.desktop

3. Change the Exec Line: Modify the Exec line to point to your new wrapper script. It should look something like this:

Exec=/usr/local/bin/firefox_wrapper.sh %u

4. Save and Exit: Save the changes and exit the text editor (Ctrl + X, then Y, then Enter).

Part 2: Changing the Firefox Icon

Step 1: Locate the Icon

1. Find the Default Icon: The Firefox icon is typically located in /usr/share/icons/hicolor/<size>/apps/ or a similar path.

For example, for a 48x48 icon:

cd /usr/share/icons/hicolor/48x48/apps/

2. Backup the Original Icon:

sudo mv firefox.png firefox_backup.png

Step 2: Replace the Icon

1. Add Your Custom Icon: Place your custom icon in the same directory. Ensure it has the same name (firefox.png).

sudo cp /path/to/your/custom_icon.png firefox.png

2. Update Icon Cache (if necessary):

sudo gtk-update-icon-cache /usr/share/icons/hicolor/

Part 3: General Approach for Other Applications

You can apply the same principles to change the execution command and icon for any other application:

1. Wrapper Script: Create a wrapper script similar to the one for Firefox.
2. Edit the Desktop Entry: Locate the application’s desktop entry and change the Exec line.
3. Change Icon: Find the application icon, back it up, and replace it with your custom icon.

Conclusion

In this blog, we explored how to change the execution behavior of Firefox and customize its icon. These steps can be adapted for any other application in your Linux environment, allowing for a more personalized user experience. Always remember to back up original files before making modifications, and enjoy your newly customized applications!