[New Project] Synaptrix - Fast Rust-based launcher for Linux Mint (Synapse alternative)

[ritulahkar]

Hi Linux Mint Community!

I've just released the first alpha version of Synaptrix, a fast application launcher built specifically with Linux Mint users in mind. It's inspired by Synapse but written in Rust for better performance and reliability.

🎯 Why I built this:
I couldn't find a good launcher that was:

• Fast and lightweight
• Synapse-like in functionality
• Actually maintained and updated
• Built with modern tools

So I decided to build one myself!

⚠️ Full transparency:
I'm a learning programmer who built this with AI assistance. The code definitely needs improvement, and I'm counting on this amazing community to help make it better. This is very much a community project!

🚀 Current Status:

• Alpha release (v0.0.1-alpha) available
• Basic launcher functionality working
• Optimized for Linux Mint
• GPL3 licensed (fully open source)

📦 Try it out:

• GitHub: https://github.com/ritulahkar/Synaptrix
• Download the alpha release and give it a test
• Installation instructions in the README

🤝 Help Wanted:

• Bug reports and testing
• Code improvements (I know it needs work!)
• Feature suggestions
• Documentation improvements
• Anyone with Rust experience especially welcome

🎁 What's in it for the community:
A fast, modern launcher that's actually maintained, with the Linux Mint community helping shape its development.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, feedback, and especially any bugs you find. Every bit of feedback helps make this better for all Linux Mint users!

Screenshots and demo coming soon - still learning how to make proper project presentations! 😅

Thanks for being such a welcoming community. Looking forward to your feedback!

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P.S. - If you're experienced with Rust or GTK development, your help would be invaluable!

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[Secret-chest]

Would you post a screenshot?

[ritulahkar]

[LinuxGuy-cyber]

🎯 Why I built this: I couldn't find a good launcher that was:

* Fast and lightweight

If you're looking for something fast and lightweight, nothing beats Rofi. Did you try that? Setting it up is kind of hassle, though. ulauncher also exists, which is a better GUI launcher. I've never heard of Synapse.
Also, you should probably post about this on the Mint Forums, which has a wider audience. In fact, I recommend changing the "Optimised for Linux Mint" as "Optimised for ubuntu/debian" as Mint is basically that. Having the word 'ubuntu' would reach more people because... people don't know about Linux, but they know ubuntu. That's just how it works :)
I don't understand programming, so I can't say what the optimisations you're talking of really mean. Are they optimisations for the Cinnamon DE? Or they are optimisations regarding the ubuntu/debian base?

[Secret-chest]

Rofi is not Gtk though, it looks less native.

[LinuxGuy-cyber]

But it's lightning fast. ulauncher is currently the most pretty and theme-able. Plus, there's tons of extensions for it and easy to use. (At this point I got a sponsorship by ulauncher but lol NO, it's very good)