How to always open a *specific filename* with a program (not *specific type*)

[ThePhi]

Hi all!

I already know how to open a specific file type with always the same program.
What I'd like in fact in to do the same but restricted to a specific filename.

Concrete case:
I've got a text file. This file is in fact what the flowchart graphic program, "Draw.io", uses to store your project.
What I want is to always open the program "Draw.io" when I click on this file.
But I don't want that all the others text files have to be open with "Draw.io", but like "normal" text file (for example with vim).

Is it possible?
Thanks a lot in advance!

[Moonstone Man]

Is it possible?

Maybe yes, maybe no.

Your post is missing some detail. Whether or not the file has its own extension, and if so, what it is, and if not, an example of the file name with extension, and details about what you've tried so far.

[donalduck]

interesting. we don't even know your desktop environment !!

one possible workaround in mate:
right-click your specific file, "open with" your application (and don't forget not to leave on "always open ...")

within a terminal note the exact command line ps -ef

then on the desktop right-click and choose to create a launcher, with this command line, example:

[Flemur]

I've got a text file. This file is in fact what the flowchart graphic program, "Draw.io", uses to store your project.
What I want is to always open the program "Draw.io" when I click on this file.
But I don't want that all the others text files have to be open with "Draw.io", but like "normal" text file (for example with vim).
Is it possible?

It's possible but a PITA because freedesktop glommed a bunch of extensions with very different uses into one file-type of "text".

An easy semi-solution is to rt-click-> Open with -> pick your program but don't set it as the default; you other text files will continue to open with the default programs but your program will be on the rt-click->'open with' list. (This might be the same as what donaldduck said...?)

[AndyMH]

I'd do what donalduck suggested - stick a launcher on your desktop.

[ThePhi]

Is it possible?

Maybe yes, maybe no.

Your post is missing some detail. Whether or not the file has its own extension, and if so, what it is, and if not, an example of the file name with extension, and details about what you've tried so far.

It can have extension, or not. the program doesn't care in fact since it looks inside the file directly, whatever the extension is.
I've tried nothing for the moment.

[ThePhi]

interesting. we don't even know your desktop environment !!

The post is in "Cinnamon", so my Desktop environment is cinnamon.

one possible workaround in mate:
right-click your specific file, "open with" your application (and don't forget not to leave on "always open ...")

within a terminal note the exact command line ps -ef

then on the desktop right-click and choose to create a launcher, with this command line, example:
mate_launcher_2021-05-18.png

It opens the file with the chosen application, but only for one time. Next time I click, it opens it like a text file. I guess it's because "Always open..." wasn't checked. But if I check it, ALL the text files open with the chosen program (what I don't want).

[ThePhi]

An easy semi-solution is to rt-click-> Open with -> pick your program but don't set it as the default; you other text files will continue to open with the default programs but your program will be on the rt-click->'open with' list. (This might be the same as what donaldduck said...?)

(as written above) It's a one-time solution: the next time I double click on the file, it opens with the usual program chosen for text file.

[Flemur]

An easy semi-solution is to rt-click-> Open with -> pick your program but don't set it as the default; you other text files will continue to open with the default programs but your program will be on the rt-click->'open with' list. (This might be the same as what donaldduck said...?)

(as written above) It's a one-time solution: the next time I double click on the file, it opens with the usual program chosen for text file.

It's not a one-time solution; it puts your program in the the "open with" list of programs so it's easy to access...it's just not as easy as "Open". Some file-browsers might be friendlier about this than others.

Edit: Open a text file with "my-program":

my-program.jpg (8.14 KiB) Viewed 860 times

[ThePhi]

It's not a one-time solution; it puts your program in the the "open with" list of programs so it's easy to access...it's just not as easy as "Open". Some file-browsers might be friendlier about this than others.

Edit: Open a text file with "my-program":
my-program.jpg

Ok, I get what you mean. It's better than nothing...
For a precision, here how it works:
I needed to select AT LEAST ONE TIME "always open with" my specific program for a file type. Then, I switch back to the normal program in "always open with".
Only at this condition does the specific program appears in the list.

[Flemur]

For a precision, here how it works:
I needed to select AT LEAST ONE TIME "always open with" my specific program for a file type. Then, I switch back to the normal program in "always open with".
Only at this condition does the specific program appears in the list.

You don't need to do that with thunar or pcmanfm; just the single "Open with" puts it on the list without changing the default.

[ThePhi]

Ah? Okay, good to know. I'm on Dolphin, I guess it behaves differently (i have thunar installed also though but I prefer Dolphin)