There are a few common ways of installing packages into Elementary:

*.deb files, probably with the gdebi installer. apt Placing the binary in ~/.local/bin

Depending on your method of installing, a desktop shortcut might be created for you. If you add a binary directly into ~/.local/bin and run it for the first time, you will be prompted to create a desktop shortcut.

But what if you did not install your programs through this method? For example, you installed a game through Steam and it does not create a desktop shortcut for you. As of now, you have to create the desktop shortcut yourself, but it’s pretty easy. Let’s take Dota2 as an example.

Create a new file in ~/.local/share/applications called dota2.desktop Copy paste the following template:

[Desktop Entry]

Name=Dota 2

GenericName=Steam game

Comment=Play this game

Exec=steam steam://rungameid/570

Icon=steam_icon_570

Terminal=false

Type=Application

Categories=Game;

Save and you’re done!

You can now find it in the launcher and keep it to your dock if you prefer.

You can modify the file above for other applications as well. Some things to note: