Xfce Forum

jt1122

Member

Registered: 2021-03-26

Posts: 269

how to create a file shortcut in the Thunar "Places" sidebar?

I can add folders but how do I create file shortcuts?

Tnx

bggf

Member

Registered: 2026-04-13

Posts: 12

Re: how to create a file shortcut in the Thunar "Places" sidebar?

Hi there,

Bookmarks are handled/follow the rules of GTK settings.

Simply add a line into the file:

"~/.config/gtk-3.0/bookmarks"

below is an example of a line I created that points to a log file and is now displayed on the left of my Thunar:
"file:////home/bggf/wget-log"

jt1122

Member

Registered: 2021-03-26

Posts: 269

Re: how to create a file shortcut in the Thunar "Places" sidebar?

Tnx 

Williami

Member

From: USA

Registered: Yesterday

Posts: 1

Website

Re: how to create a file shortcut in the Thunar "Places" sidebar?

That's helpful,
Can you explain how to format the paths correctly for different types of files or directories?

bggf

Member

Registered: 2026-04-13

Posts: 12

Re: how to create a file shortcut in the Thunar "Places" sidebar?

Hi Williami,

1) There is no differentiation between folder and file in the GTK bookmarks text file (all files are the same, just put the full name)
It is just that the Thunar GUI allows folders to be bookmarked ,but not files, so files have to be put in the file manually.
tip: you can write an alias-name behind the link (URI) if you want it to appear with another title in the Bookmark list.

2) format:there are two valid ones: either file:// <- and then full path resulting in  "file:///home/..." or file:/// + full path resulting in "file:////home.."
both are valid. The large number of misterious slashes are a result of the hostname being ommited (you can put it if you want), like: 

file://localhost/home/bggf/URI_testfile.txt
file://localhost//home/bggf/URI_testfile.txt
file://jap//home/bggf/URI_testfile.txt
file:////////home//bggf//URI_testfile.txt <=works

My localhost is called "jap". The last entry works with Thunar, although I'm not sure if with all other applications

3) If you get it wrong: Thunar will show you a "folder symbol" on the left bookmark pannel. If you hover over the folder with your mouse it will show you what it is trying to read, (best thing is to try it    )

4) if you use a valid format (see above) but which Thunar "doesn't like? ", the next time you add another bookmark through the GUI it will clean up the line by removing the (valid, but admittedly redundant) computername and any excessive "/", and re-write the file, so the last example line will end up like this:

file:///home/bggf/URI_testfile.txt <=works

the 1,and 2nd :
file:///home/bggf/URI_testfile.txt
file:////home/bggf/URI_testfile.txt

That's helpful,
Can you explain how to format the paths correctly for different types of files or directories?