Running Websites as Web Apps in Linux Using Any Browser

Have you ever wished you could treat your favourite websites like standalone applications? 

Well, you're in luck! Running a website as a web app allows it to operate in its very own window, free from the clutter of web browser tabs, menus, and other distractions.

You can even launch it directly from your desktop menu.

If you're a Chrome user, this concept might ring a bell. Chrome allows you to create shortcuts to websites that open in their separate windows (Menu > More Tools > Create shortcut). 

However, not all browsers provide this feature. Firefox, for instance, doesn't have this capability.

If you're using a browser without this built-in feature, fear not! There are third-party solutions that can turn any website into a web app, regardless of your browser choice.

 For Linux users, one such solution is the Webapp Manager, which comes pre-installed on Linux Mint and can be added to any Ubuntu-based distribution.

Let's dive into the process of installing Webapp Manager and see just how simple it is to transform a website into a web app.

 How to Run Websites as Apps in Linux

What You'll Need:

The only prerequisites are a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu and a user account with sudo privileges. That's it; you're ready to make some desktop magic happen.

1. Download the DEB File

   Open your web browser and go to the Webapp Manager download page.

   Download the DEB version of the latest release (currently version 1.2.5 as of this writing).

2. Install Webapp Manager

   Open a terminal window.

    Install Webapp Manager with the following command:

     sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/webapp_manager*.deb

Create Your First Web App

3. Open the App

  Once installed, you can find Webapp Manager listed as "Web Apps" in your desktop menu. Launch it to access this minimal yet powerful application.

4. Create the App

   - Click the "+" (plus sign) to start creating your first web app.

   - In the resulting window, provide the required details for the app:

     - Name: This will be the display name in your desktop menu.

     - Address: Enter the URL of the website you want to convert into an app.

     - Category: Choose a category (e.g., "Web").

     - Browser: Select the browser you prefer from those installed on your system.

   Click "OK.

For instance, suppose you want to create an app for Trello. You'd name it "Trello," provide the URL "https://www.trello.com,"

 select the "Web" category, choose your preferred browser, and then click "OK." The app should automatically use the site's favicon as its icon.

5. Open Your App

   - Return to your desktop menu and search for the app you just created (e.g., "Trello").

   - When you open the app, you'll find that it looks and feels just like a locally installed application, even though it's essentially a website running in a simplified browser window.

And there you have it! Running websites as apps in Linux is a fantastic way to separate specific sites from your regular web browser window, offering a cleaner and more focused browsing experience.