# Alacarte

> menu editor for the GNOME desktop

**Wikidata**: [Q1331023](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1331023)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alacarte)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alacarte

## Summary
Alacarte is a free, open-source menu editor for the GNOME desktop environment, developed by Travis Watkins. It allows users to customize and manage application menus on Linux systems, providing a graphical interface to modify menu entries and categories.

## Key Facts
- **Primary use**: Menu editor for the GNOME desktop environment
- **Developed by**: Travis Watkins (programmer, born 1986-12-05)
- **Programming language**: Python
- **Operating system**: Linux
- **License**: GNU Lesser General Public License
- **Latest stable version**: 3.54.1 (released 2025-01-13)
- **Instance of**: Free software
- **GUI toolkit**: GTK
- **Source code repository**: Hosted on GitLab (preferred) and previously on cgit
- **Package availability**: Available in Arch Linux, Debian, Gentoo, and AUR repositories

## FAQs
### Q: What is Alacarte used for?
A: Alacarte is a menu editor for the GNOME desktop environment, allowing users to customize and manage application menus on Linux systems.

### Q: Who developed Alacarte?
A: Alacarte was developed by Travis Watkins, a programmer born on December 5, 1986.

### Q: Is Alacarte free software?
A: Yes, Alacarte is free software distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License.

### Q: What programming language is Alacarte written in?
A: Alacarte is written in Python.

### Q: Where can I find the source code for Alacarte?
A: The source code for Alacarte is available on GitLab (preferred) and previously on cgit.

## Why It Matters
Alacarte plays a crucial role in the Linux desktop ecosystem by providing users with a simple yet powerful tool to customize their application menus. As part of the GNOME project, it ensures consistency and usability across Linux distributions that use the GNOME desktop environment. By allowing users to modify menu entries and categories, Alacarte enhances the flexibility of the Linux desktop, making it more adaptable to individual user preferences. Its open-source nature ensures that it remains accessible and modifiable by the community, aligning with the principles of free software. This tool empowers users to tailor their desktop experience, contributing to a more personalized and efficient computing environment.

## Notable For
- **Open-source development**: Actively maintained as part of the GNOME project, ensuring compatibility with modern Linux distributions.
- **Cross-platform availability**: Available in major package repositories, including Arch Linux, Debian, and Gentoo.
- **Python-based**: Written in Python, making it accessible for developers to contribute and modify.
- **GTK integration**: Built using the GTK toolkit, ensuring a native look and feel within the GNOME desktop environment.
- **Community-driven updates**: Regular releases, with the latest stable version (3.54.1) reflecting ongoing development and user feedback.

## Body
### Overview
Alacarte is a menu editor designed for the GNOME desktop environment, developed by Travis Watkins. It provides a graphical interface for users to customize and manage application menus on Linux systems. The software is written in Python and is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License, making it free and open-source.

### Development and History
Alacarte was developed by Travis Watkins, a programmer born on December 5, 1986. The project is part of the GNOME ecosystem, which includes other popular desktop applications and tools. The source code is hosted on GitLab, with a preferred repository at `https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/alacarte/`. Previous versions were also available on cgit.

### Versions and Releases
Alacarte has undergone several releases, with notable versions including:
- **3.10.0**: Stable version released on September 24, 2013.
- **3.11.91**: Beta version released on March 3, 2014.
- **3.54.0**: Stable version released on October 3, 2024.
- **3.54.1**: Latest stable version, released on January 13, 2025.

### Technical Details
- **Programming Language**: Python
- **GUI Toolkit**: GTK
- **Operating System**: Linux
- **License**: GNU Lesser General Public License

### Availability and Distribution
Alacarte is available in various package repositories, including:
- **Arch Linux**: As `alacarte` and `alacarte-git`.
- **Debian**: As `alacarte` in the stable package repository.
- **Gentoo**: As `x11-misc/alacarte`.

### Wikipedia and Online Presence
Alacarte has a Wikipedia page with entries in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Russian. It is also referenced in online databases like Freebase and Repology. The software's website and source code repository provide additional resources for users and developers.

### Significance
Alacarte enhances the usability of the GNOME desktop by allowing users to customize their application menus. Its open-source nature ensures that it remains accessible and modifiable by the community, aligning with the principles of free software. The tool's availability across multiple Linux distributions and package repositories makes it a valuable resource for users seeking to personalize their desktop experience.

## References

1. [alacarte - Change which applications are shown on the main menu](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/alacarte/tags/3.10.0)
2. [alacarte - Change which applications are shown on the main menu](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/alacarte/tags/3.11.91)
3. [3.54.0. 2024](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/alacarte/-/tags/3.54.0)
4. [3.54.0. 2025](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/alacarte/-/tags/3.54.1)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013