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Creating games and apps shortcuts from the Shell

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In this article you will learn how to add games and apps shortcuts using the Shell.

How to add a game using the Shell?

Switching to the editing mode

To add a game after the Shell launch you need to go to the editing mode. To get into the editing mode do the following:

  1. Press the Ctrl+Alt+P key combination.
  2. Enter the default password - pasw0rd. (Be sure to change this password in the admin panel, Settings section → Shell → High Access Password);
  3. Click "Login".

Adding a game

After entering the editing mode to add a game, do the following:

  1. On the left side of the screen, click on the button to go to the “All Games” section.
  2. On the top right side, click "+ Application".
  3. Specify in the opened window:

    • App name (From 2 to 50 Unicode symbols);

    • At least one path to the app;

    • Command line argument (Optional);

    • Launch script (Optional);

    • Launch password (Optional).

    • License pool (Optional);

    • Working directory (Optional).

  4. Upload a cover;
  5. Click “Save”.

 

How to add an app using the Shell?

Switching to the editing mode

To add an app after the Shell launch you need to go to the editing mode. To get into the editing mode do the following: How to do this is described above.

 

Adding the app

After entering the editing mode to add the app, do the following:

  1. On the left side of the screen, click on the button to go to the “All applications” section.
  2. Specify in the opened window:
    • App name (From 2 to 50 Unicode symbols);
    • At least one path to the app;
    • Path to an alternative icon (Optional);
    • Command line argument (Optional); 
    • Launch script (Optional);  
    • Launch password (Optional); 
    • License pool (Optional);
    • Working directory (Optional).
  3. Click “Save”.



Good to know!

Paths to the app:

You can specify up to three different app launch paths to get rid of the problem of invalid shortcuts on different gaming stations. Also, the Shell checks all specified app paths at each launch and displays only the apps it has found on that gaming station to clients.

You won't have to fill out the game and app cards on each gaming station - just add all the desired games and apps on one gaming station and they will automatically appear on the other after a reboot.

Launch script

This is a command line script that is executed before running the selected program.  Here are a few examples:

  • For Google Chrome:
    • -incognito ­— launches the browser in private mode
    • -disable-sync ­—­ disables accounts personal data synchronization for the current session
    • -­user­-data­-dir= ­—­ launches an empty browser profile
  • For Discord:
    • --­processStart Discord.exe ­—­ be sure to enter this into the Updater.exe launch parameters, for Discord to run correctly
  • For Steam:
    • -applaunch GAMEID ­—­ the preferred launch method for any Steam game. For CS 2, for example, it will be -applaunch 730

You can find a detailed list of all correct app paths and parameters here.

 

Launch password

A blank for a future feature. This is the password, that doesn’t allow the user to start the application without entering it. It can be specified for the apps that will be visible to everyone, but you wish to limit the access to them.

 

Licenses pool

These are gaming center accounts that will be automatically given to the users when they launch the app. You can learn more about setting up licenses pool here.

 

Game covers

Uploaded images for the game covers must meet the following parameters to be displayed correctly:

  • Minimum resolution: 256 x 384  px;
  • Optimal size: 600 x 900  px;
  • Aspect ratio: 2:3;
  • Maximum size: 250 kbytes;
  • Acceptable format: .jpg, .png.

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