Update packaging PKGBUILD template for alpha.8

.github/workflows/aur-publish.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+name: Publish to AUR
+
+on:
+  push:
+    tags:
+      - "v*"
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      tag:
+        description: "Tag to publish to AUR (e.g. v0.1.0-alpha.8)"
+        required: true
+        type: string
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+jobs:
+  aur-publish:
+    name: Publish deskify-bin
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    container: archlinux:latest
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Install dependencies
+        run: |
+          pacman -Syu --noconfirm
+          pacman -S --noconfirm --needed base-devel git openssh curl
+          useradd -m -u 1000 builder || true
+
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ inputs.tag || github.ref_name }}
+
+      - name: Generate PKGBUILD (deskify-bin)
+        run: bash packaging/generate-pkgbuild-bin.sh "${{ inputs.tag || github.ref_name }}"
+
+      - name: Generate .SRCINFO
+        run: |
+          rm -rf /home/builder/work
+          mkdir -p /home/builder/work
+          cp -R . /home/builder/work
+          chown -R builder:builder /home/builder/work
+          su - builder -c "cd /home/builder/work/packaging && makepkg --printsrcinfo > .SRCINFO"
+          cp /home/builder/work/packaging/.SRCINFO packaging/.SRCINFO
+
+      - name: Configure SSH for AUR
+        env:
+          AUR_SSH_PRIVATE_KEY: ${{ secrets.AUR_SSH_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+        run: |
+          test -n "${AUR_SSH_PRIVATE_KEY}" || { echo "Missing secret: AUR_SSH_PRIVATE_KEY" >&2; exit 1; }
+          mkdir -p ~/.ssh
+          chmod 700 ~/.ssh
+          printf "%s\n" "${AUR_SSH_PRIVATE_KEY}" > ~/.ssh/aur
+          chmod 600 ~/.ssh/aur
+          touch ~/.ssh/known_hosts
+          chmod 600 ~/.ssh/known_hosts
+          # Ensure host key is present for non-interactive git/ssh.
+          ssh-keyscan -t rsa,ecdsa,ed25519 aur.archlinux.org >> ~/.ssh/known_hosts 2>/dev/null
+          cat >> ~/.ssh/config <<'EOF'
+          Host aur.archlinux.org
+            User aur
+            IdentityFile ~/.ssh/aur
+            IdentitiesOnly yes
+          EOF
+
+      - name: Publish to AUR (deskify-bin)
+        env:
+          AUR_USERNAME: ${{ secrets.AUR_USERNAME }}
+          AUR_EMAIL: ${{ secrets.AUR_EMAIL }}
+        run: |
+          export GIT_SSH_COMMAND="ssh -i ~/.ssh/aur -o IdentitiesOnly=yes -o UserKnownHostsFile=$HOME/.ssh/known_hosts -o StrictHostKeyChecking=yes"
+
+          git config --global user.name "${AUR_USERNAME:-deskify-bot}"
+          git config --global user.email "${AUR_EMAIL:-noreply@example.invalid}"
+
+          rm -rf /tmp/aur-repo
+          git clone ssh://aur@aur.archlinux.org/deskify-bin.git /tmp/aur-repo
+
+          cp packaging/PKGBUILD /tmp/aur-repo/PKGBUILD
+          cp packaging/.SRCINFO /tmp/aur-repo/.SRCINFO
+
+          cd /tmp/aur-repo
+          if git diff --quiet; then
+            echo "No changes to publish."
+            exit 0
+          fi
+
+          git add PKGBUILD .SRCINFO
+          git commit -m "Update deskify-bin to ${{ inputs.tag || github.ref_name }}"
+          git push

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ and this project follows early MVP/alpha versioning with tags like `v0.1.0-alpha
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
-## [v0.1.0-alpha.5] - 2026-02-23
+## [v0.1.0-alpha.6] - 2026-02-23
 
 ### Added
 - `chromium` compatibility backend via `--backend chromium` using an installed Chromium-based browser in app mode (no local Tauri build for generated apps)

Cargo.lock

@@ -351,6 +351,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "directories",
  "image",
  "regex",
+ "serde",
  "serde_json",
  "tempfile",
  "ureq",
@@ -1334,6 +1335,7 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "9a8e94ea7f378bd32cbbd37198a4a91436180c5bb472411e48b5ec2e2124ae9e"
 dependencies = [
  "serde_core",
+ "serde_derive",
 ]
 
 [[package]]

Cargo.toml

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ clap = { version = "4.5.60", features = ["derive"] }
 directories = "6.0.0"
 image = "0.25.9"
 regex = "1.12.3"
+serde = { version = "1.0.218", features = ["derive"] }
 serde_json = "1.0.149"
 tempfile = "3.25.0"
 ureq = "2.9"

README.md

@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
   <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Language-Rust-orange?style=flat-square" alt="Written in Rust" />
   <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Powered_by-Tauri_v2-grey?style=flat-square" alt="Tauri v2" />
   <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Status-Alpha-yellow?style=flat-square" alt="Alpha status" />
+  <img src="https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/spalencsar/deskify?label=Latest%20Release&style=flat-square" alt="Latest release" />
+  <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-green?style=flat-square" alt="MIT license" />
 </p>
 
 <p align="center">
@@ -25,6 +27,34 @@
 
 ---
 
+## Quick Start
+
+Two tracks, depending on what you want:
+
+### Option A: Chromium mode (fastest, best compatibility)
+
+Requirements: any Chromium-based browser installed (`chromium`, `google-chrome`, `brave`, etc.)
+
+```bash
+mkdir -p ~/.local/bin
+curl -L -o ~/.local/bin/deskify \
+  https://github.com/spalencsar/deskify/releases/latest/download/deskify-linux-x86_64
+chmod +x ~/.local/bin/deskify
+
+# If `deskify` is not found, ensure ~/.local/bin is in PATH (common on Ubuntu/Debian):
+command -v deskify >/dev/null || { echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc && source ~/.bashrc; }
+
+deskify build --url "https://chat.com" --name "Chat" --backend chromium
+```
+
+### Option B: Native Tauri mode (system WebView, no Chromium dependency)
+
+Follow the full install section below (Tauri/WebKitGTK prerequisites), then:
+
+```bash
+deskify build --url "https://chat.com" --name "Chat"
+```
+
 ## Why Deskify Exists
 
 Web apps are now core tools, but Linux desktops still treat them like second-class citizens.
@@ -145,6 +175,35 @@ The table above covers the technical tradeoffs in more detail. In practice, `des
 
 ## 🚀 Installation
 
+### Option A: Install a prebuilt binary (recommended)
+
+Deskify provides Linux release binaries. Download the latest release and install it into `~/.local/bin`:
+
+```bash
+mkdir -p ~/.local/bin
+curl -L -o ~/.local/bin/deskify \
+  https://github.com/spalencsar/deskify/releases/latest/download/deskify-linux-x86_64
+chmod +x ~/.local/bin/deskify
+deskify --help
+```
+
+Notes:
+
+- The `tauri` backend still requires Tauri/WebKitGTK system dependencies to build wrappers locally.
+- The `chromium` backend does not require Tauri prerequisites (but it requires an installed Chromium-based browser).
+
+### Arch Linux (AUR)
+
+An AUR package is available (prebuilt binary package):
+
+```bash
+yay -S deskify-bin
+```
+
+⚠️ The AUR package tracks **alpha** tags (`v0.1.0-alpha.N`). Expect occasional breaking changes during early development.
+
+### Option B: Build from source (Tauri mode)
+
 ### 1. System Dependencies
 Because `deskify` compiles Tauri applications natively on your machine, you need the standard Tauri prerequisites installed before using it.
 
@@ -221,6 +280,11 @@ Deskify supports two backend modes:
 
 If a site does not work in the default `tauri` backend, try `--backend chromium`.
 
+Quick decision rule:
+
+- Start with the default `tauri` backend for small wrappers and native Linux integration.
+- If the site fails to load, behaves incorrectly, or needs a newer browser engine, rebuild/update with `--backend chromium`.
+
 #### Advanced Build Options
 ```bash
 deskify build \
@@ -298,18 +362,32 @@ Note for Chromium backend:
 
 - `--no-decorations` is best-effort and may be ignored by the browser/window manager.
 - `--width` and `--height` are applied together (`--window-size`) only when both are provided.
+- Deskify auto-detects a Chromium-based browser from `PATH`, but some distros ship Chromium-based browser commands (Chrome/Chromium/Brave, etc.) as wrapper scripts or use different binary names/paths (for example on BigLinux). If launches fail, set `--browser-bin` to a real browser binary.
+
+Troubleshooting (find the real browser binary):
+
+```bash
+command -v chrome chromium google-chrome google-chrome-stable brave-browser 2>/dev/null
+ls -la /usr/bin/chrome /usr/bin/chromium /usr/bin/google-chrome /usr/bin/google-chrome-stable 2>/dev/null
+```
 
 ### Managing Apps (`list` & `remove`)
 You can view all applications generated by `deskify`:
 ```bash
 deskify list
 ```
+
+Verbose list (includes URL/backend when metadata is available):
+
+```bash
+deskify list --verbose
+```
 *Output:*
 
 ```text
 Installed Deskify Apps:
-- ChatGPT (Internal ID: chatgpt)
-- Home Assistant (Internal ID: home-assistant)
+- ChatGPT (Internal ID: chatgpt, Backend: tauri)
+- Proton Mail (Internal ID: proton-mail, Backend: chromium)
 ```
 
 To entirely uninstall an app (including the binary, desktop entry, and icons):
@@ -327,7 +405,8 @@ Rebuild and reinstall an existing app ID without manually running `remove` + `bu
 deskify update chat --url "https://chat.com" --name "Chat" --no-decorations
 ```
 
-Alpha note: `update` currently requires `--url` because Deskify does not persist app URLs/config metadata yet.
+Deskify persists app metadata under `~/.local/share/deskify/apps/<id>.json`. With persisted metadata, `update` can be used without `--url`.
+If an older app has no metadata yet, provide `--url` once (or rebuild once) to migrate it.
 `update <id>` keeps the existing internal ID stable even if you change the display name.
 
 You can also preview an update:
@@ -337,6 +416,12 @@ deskify update chat --url "https://chat.com" --dry-run
 deskify update chat --url "https://chat.com" --print-config
 ```
 
+Switch an existing app to Chromium compatibility mode while keeping the same internal ID:
+
+```bash
+deskify update chat --url "https://chat.com" --name "Chat" --backend chromium
+```
+
 ### Diagnostics (`doctor`)
 
 Check local prerequisites and common environment issues (Rust/Cargo, `cargo tauri`, `pkg-config`, directories):
@@ -371,10 +456,9 @@ Expected: clean validation error and no unintended file deletion.
 ## 🏷️ Versioning & GitHub Releases (MVP)
 
 - Recommended tag format during MVP: `v0.1.0-alpha.N`
-- Start with **source-first** releases (repository + tags)
-- Add automated binary releases later via GitHub Actions
+- GitHub Releases publish a Linux `deskify` CLI binary on tags (`v*`)
 
-For the current public alpha, use `v0.1.0-alpha.2` (and continue with `v0.1.0-alpha.N` for follow-up releases).
+For the latest alpha, see GitHub Releases (and continue with `v0.1.0-alpha.N` for follow-up releases).
 
 ---
 

packaging/PKGBUILD

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+pkgname=deskify-bin
+pkgver=0.1.0.alpha.8
+pkgrel=1
+pkgdesc="Turn websites into Linux desktop apps (prebuilt binary package)"
+arch=('x86_64')
+url="https://github.com/spalencsar/deskify"
+license=('MIT')
+depends=('glibc')
+optdepends=('chromium: for --backend chromium')
+provides=('deskify')
+conflicts=('deskify')
+
+_tag="v0.1.0-alpha.8"
+source=("deskify::https://github.com/spalencsar/deskify/releases/download/${_tag}/deskify-linux-x86_64"
+        "LICENSE::https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spalencsar/deskify/${_tag}/LICENSE")
+
+sha256sums=('7ab62ff193c2666983c72844c13f368a0ecc1fcd6da40fe95f544c9999e05f30'
+            'd4e53458cd2dd461f234186497b6d9b21566c477737a4d31fa6f018ef610486f')
+
+package() {
+  install -Dm755 "${srcdir}/deskify" "${pkgdir}/usr/bin/deskify"
+  install -Dm644 "${srcdir}/LICENSE" "${pkgdir}/usr/share/licenses/${pkgname}/LICENSE"
+}

packaging/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+## AUR package template (manual + CI)
+
+This folder contains a minimal `PKGBUILD` template for a future AUR package:
+
+- `deskify-bin` (prebuilt GitHub Releases binary)
+
+Notes:
+
+- Update `_tag` and `pkgver` when you publish a new release tag.
+- Update `sha256sums` to match the release asset + LICENSE for that tag.
+
+### Local build test
+
+```bash
+cd packaging
+makepkg -sf
+```
+
+To compute sha256 sums for a tag:
+
+```bash
+TAG="v0.1.0-alpha.7"
+curl -fL -o /tmp/deskify-linux-x86_64 "https://github.com/spalencsar/deskify/releases/download/${TAG}/deskify-linux-x86_64"
+curl -fL -o /tmp/LICENSE "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spalencsar/deskify/${TAG}/LICENSE"
+sha256sum /tmp/deskify-linux-x86_64 /tmp/LICENSE
+```
+
+### Manual AUR publish (first time)
+
+1. Create an AUR account and submit the `deskify-bin` package once via the AUR web UI.
+2. Configure SSH for AUR and test connectivity.
+3. Clone the AUR repo, copy `PKGBUILD` and `.SRCINFO`, then push.
+
+Example:
+
+```bash
+ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -f ~/.ssh/aur -C "deskify-aur"
+# Add ~/.ssh/aur.pub to: aur.archlinux.org -> My Account -> SSH Keys
+
+cat >> ~/.ssh/config <<'EOF'
+Host aur.archlinux.org
+  IdentityFile ~/.ssh/aur
+  User aur
+EOF
+
+ssh -T aur@aur.archlinux.org
+
+git clone ssh://aur@aur.archlinux.org/deskify-bin.git
+cd deskify-bin
+
+cp /path/to/deskify/packaging/PKGBUILD .
+makepkg --printsrcinfo > .SRCINFO
+
+git add PKGBUILD .SRCINFO
+git commit -m "Initial release: deskify-bin"
+git push
+```
+
+### CI publish on tags
+
+This repo includes a workflow that publishes `deskify-bin` on tag pushes (`v*`):
+
+- `.github/workflows/aur-publish.yml`
+
+Required GitHub secrets:
+
+- `AUR_SSH_PRIVATE_KEY` (private key content for the AUR account)
+- `AUR_USERNAME` (optional, used for git commits)
+- `AUR_EMAIL` (optional, used for git commits)

packaging/generate-pkgbuild-bin.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+TAG="${1:-}"
+if [[ -z "${TAG}" ]]; then
+  TAG="$(git describe --tags --abbrev=0)"
+fi
+
+if [[ "${TAG}" != v* ]]; then
+  echo "Error: expected tag like v0.1.0-alpha.7, got: ${TAG}" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+VERSION="${TAG#v}"
+
+# Arch PKGBUILD pkgver must not contain '-'. Use dots instead.
+PKGVER="${VERSION//-/.}"
+
+ASSET_URL="https://github.com/spalencsar/deskify/releases/download/${TAG}/deskify-linux-x86_64"
+LICENSE_URL="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spalencsar/deskify/${TAG}/LICENSE"
+
+tmp_dir="$(mktemp -d)"
+trap 'rm -rf "${tmp_dir}"' EXIT
+
+asset_path="${tmp_dir}/deskify-linux-x86_64"
+license_path="${tmp_dir}/LICENSE"
+
+wait_seconds="${WAIT_FOR_ASSET_SECONDS:-300}"
+interval_seconds="${WAIT_FOR_ASSET_INTERVAL_SECONDS:-5}"
+deadline=$((SECONDS + wait_seconds))
+
+while ! curl -fsI "${ASSET_URL}" >/dev/null 2>&1; do
+  if (( SECONDS >= deadline )); then
+    echo "Error: release asset not available yet: ${ASSET_URL}" >&2
+    echo "Tip: the GitHub Release workflow may still be building. Re-run the AUR workflow once the asset exists." >&2
+    exit 1
+  fi
+  sleep "${interval_seconds}"
+done
+
+curl -fL -o "${asset_path}" "${ASSET_URL}"
+curl -fL -o "${license_path}" "${LICENSE_URL}"
+
+ASSET_SHA256="$(sha256sum "${asset_path}" | awk '{print $1}')"
+LICENSE_SHA256="$(sha256sum "${license_path}" | awk '{print $1}')"
+
+cat > packaging/PKGBUILD <<EOF
+pkgname=deskify-bin
+pkgver=${PKGVER}
+pkgrel=1
+pkgdesc="Turn websites into Linux desktop apps (prebuilt binary package)"
+arch=('x86_64')
+url="https://github.com/spalencsar/deskify"
+license=('MIT')
+depends=('glibc')
+optdepends=('chromium: for --backend chromium')
+provides=('deskify')
+conflicts=('deskify')
+
+_tag="${TAG}"
+source=("deskify::https://github.com/spalencsar/deskify/releases/download/\${_tag}/deskify-linux-x86_64"
+        "LICENSE::https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spalencsar/deskify/\${_tag}/LICENSE")
+
+sha256sums=('${ASSET_SHA256}'
+            '${LICENSE_SHA256}')
+
+package() {
+  install -Dm755 "\${srcdir}/deskify" "\${pkgdir}/usr/bin/deskify"
+  install -Dm644 "\${srcdir}/LICENSE" "\${pkgdir}/usr/share/licenses/\${pkgname}/LICENSE"
+}
+EOF
+
+echo "Wrote packaging/PKGBUILD for ${TAG}"

src/main.rs

@@ -12,14 +12,21 @@ use std::process::Command;
 use tempfile::tempdir;
 use url::Url;
 
-#[derive(clap::ValueEnum, Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+#[derive(
+    clap::ValueEnum, serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize, Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq,
+)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "lowercase")]
 enum Backend {
     Tauri,
     Chromium,
 }
 
-#[derive(clap::ValueEnum, Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+#[derive(
+    clap::ValueEnum, serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize, Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq,
+)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "lowercase")]
 enum ProfileScope {
+    #[serde(alias = "default")]
     Isolated,
     Shared,
 }
@@ -110,7 +117,11 @@ enum Commands {
         dry_run: bool,
     },
     /// List all installed apps created by deskify
-    List,
+    List {
+        /// Show additional metadata (URL, backend) when available
+        #[arg(long)]
+        verbose: bool,
+    },
     /// Check local prerequisites and environment diagnostics
     Doctor,
     /// Remove a specific app by its internal ID
@@ -118,14 +129,14 @@ enum Commands {
         /// The safe name/ID of the app (e.g., "youtube")
         id: String,
     },
-    /// Rebuild and reinstall an existing app ID with new settings (alpha: URL is required)
+    /// Rebuild and reinstall an existing app ID with new settings (URL is optional when persisted)
     Update {
         /// The existing internal ID (e.g., "chatgpt")
         id: String,
 
-        /// The URL to wrap (required in current alpha because URLs are not persisted yet)
+        /// The URL to wrap (optional if Deskify has persisted app metadata for this ID)
         #[arg(short, long)]
-        url: String,
+        url: Option<String>,
 
         /// Optional new display name (defaults to current desktop entry name or the ID)
         #[arg(short, long)]
@@ -136,12 +147,12 @@ enum Commands {
         icon: Option<String>,
 
         /// Launch the application in fullscreen (Kiosk) mode
-        #[arg(short, long)]
-        fullscreen: bool,
+        #[arg(short, long, action = clap::ArgAction::SetTrue)]
+        fullscreen: Option<bool>,
 
         /// Disable native window decorations (frameless window)
-        #[arg(long)]
-        no_decorations: bool,
+        #[arg(long, action = clap::ArgAction::SetTrue)]
+        no_decorations: Option<bool>,
 
         /// Set a custom User-Agent string for the webview
         #[arg(short = 'A', long)]
@@ -156,20 +167,20 @@ enum Commands {
         height: Option<f64>,
 
         /// Force the webview into Dark Mode
-        #[arg(short, long)]
-        dark_mode: bool,
+        #[arg(short, long, action = clap::ArgAction::SetTrue)]
+        dark_mode: Option<bool>,
 
         /// Backend to use for the updated app
-        #[arg(long, value_enum, default_value_t = Backend::Tauri)]
-        backend: Backend,
+        #[arg(long, value_enum)]
+        backend: Option<Backend>,
 
         /// Path to a Chromium-based browser binary (only for `--backend chromium`)
         #[arg(long)]
         browser_bin: Option<String>,
 
         /// Profile isolation for Chromium backend (only for `--backend chromium`)
-        #[arg(long, value_enum, default_value_t = ProfileScope::Isolated)]
-        profile_scope: ProfileScope,
+        #[arg(long, value_enum)]
+        profile_scope: Option<ProfileScope>,
 
         /// Show planned update actions without rebuilding/installing
         #[arg(long)]
@@ -181,6 +192,23 @@ enum Commands {
     },
 }
 
+#[derive(serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize, Debug, Clone)]
+struct DeskifyAppConfig {
+    schema_version: u32,
+    id: String,
+    name: String,
+    url: String,
+    backend: Backend,
+    browser_bin: Option<String>,
+    profile_scope: ProfileScope,
+    fullscreen: bool,
+    no_decorations: bool,
+    user_agent: Option<String>,
+    width: Option<f64>,
+    height: Option<f64>,
+    dark_mode: bool,
+}
+
 fn sanitize_app_id(name: &str) -> String {
     let re = Regex::new(r"[^a-z0-9-]").unwrap();
     let lower_name = name.to_lowercase().replace(' ', "-");
@@ -211,6 +239,83 @@ fn profile_scope_str(scope: ProfileScope) -> &'static str {
     }
 }
 
+fn backend_str(backend: Backend) -> &'static str {
+    match backend {
+        Backend::Tauri => "tauri",
+        Backend::Chromium => "chromium",
+    }
+}
+
+fn deskify_data_dir() -> Result<PathBuf> {
+    let base_dirs = BaseDirs::new().ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("Could not find system BaseDirs"))?;
+    Ok(base_dirs.data_local_dir().join("deskify"))
+}
+
+fn app_config_path(id: &str) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+    validate_remove_id(id)?;
+    Ok(deskify_data_dir()?
+        .join("apps")
+        .join(format!("{}.json", id)))
+}
+
+fn read_app_config(id: &str) -> Result<Option<DeskifyAppConfig>> {
+    let path = app_config_path(id)?;
+    if !path.exists() {
+        return Ok(None);
+    }
+    let content = fs::read_to_string(&path)
+        .with_context(|| format!("Failed to read app config {}", path.display()))?;
+    match serde_json::from_str::<DeskifyAppConfig>(&content) {
+        Ok(cfg) => Ok(Some(cfg)),
+        Err(err) => {
+            eprintln!(
+                "Warning: Failed to parse app config {} ({}). Falling back to desktop entry metadata.",
+                path.display(),
+                err
+            );
+            Ok(None)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn write_app_config_from_args(args: &BuildArgs) -> Result<()> {
+    validate_remove_id(&args.internal_id)?;
+    let path = app_config_path(&args.internal_id)?;
+    if let Some(dir) = path.parent() {
+        fs::create_dir_all(dir).context("Failed to create app config directory")?;
+    }
+    let cfg = DeskifyAppConfig {
+        schema_version: 1,
+        id: args.internal_id.clone(),
+        name: args.name.clone(),
+        url: args.url.clone(),
+        backend: args.backend,
+        browser_bin: args.browser_bin.clone(),
+        profile_scope: args.profile_scope,
+        fullscreen: args.fullscreen,
+        no_decorations: args.no_decorations,
+        user_agent: args.user_agent.clone(),
+        width: args.width,
+        height: args.height,
+        dark_mode: args.dark_mode,
+    };
+    fs::write(
+        &path,
+        serde_json::to_string_pretty(&cfg).context("Failed to serialize app config")?,
+    )
+    .with_context(|| format!("Failed to write app config {}", path.display()))?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn remove_app_config(id: &str) -> Result<()> {
+    let path = app_config_path(id)?;
+    if path.exists() {
+        fs::remove_file(&path).with_context(|| format!("Failed to remove {}", path.display()))?;
+        println!("Removed app config: {:?}", path);
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 fn build_tauri_config_value(args: &BuildArgs, safe_identifier: &str, bundle_active: bool) -> Value {
     let mut window_config = Map::<String, Value>::new();
     window_config.insert("title".to_string(), json!(args.name));
@@ -300,10 +405,37 @@ fn find_binary_in_path(name: &str) -> Option<PathBuf> {
     None
 }
 
+fn chromium_binary_works(path: &Path) -> Result<()> {
+    let output = Command::new(path)
+        .arg("--version")
+        .output()
+        .with_context(|| format!("Failed to execute browser binary {}", path.display()))?;
+    if output.status.success() {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    let stderr = String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stderr).trim().to_string();
+    let stdout = String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stdout).trim().to_string();
+    let details = if !stderr.is_empty() {
+        stderr
+    } else if !stdout.is_empty() {
+        stdout
+    } else {
+        format!("exit code {}", output.status)
+    };
+    Err(anyhow!(
+        "Browser binary exists but failed to run: {} ({})",
+        path.display(),
+        details
+    ))
+}
+
 fn resolve_chromium_binary(explicit: Option<&str>) -> Result<PathBuf> {
     if let Some(path) = explicit {
         let candidate = PathBuf::from(path);
         if candidate.is_file() {
+            chromium_binary_works(&candidate).with_context(|| {
+                "The specified browser binary does not appear to be usable. If it's a wrapper script, ensure the underlying browser exists."
+            })?;
             return Ok(candidate);
         }
         return Err(anyhow!(
@@ -313,7 +445,9 @@ fn resolve_chromium_binary(explicit: Option<&str>) -> Result<PathBuf> {
     }
 
     for candidate in chromium_candidates() {
-        if let Some(path) = find_binary_in_path(candidate) {
+        if let Some(path) = find_binary_in_path(candidate)
+            && chromium_binary_works(&path).is_ok()
+        {
             return Ok(path);
         }
     }
@@ -838,7 +972,7 @@ X-Deskify-Browser={}
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn list_apps() -> Result<()> {
+fn list_apps_with_options(verbose: bool) -> Result<()> {
     let base_dirs = BaseDirs::new().ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("Could not find system BaseDirs"))?;
     let applications_dir = base_dirs.data_local_dir().join("applications");
 
@@ -871,10 +1005,38 @@ fn list_apps() -> Result<()> {
                     .and_then(|l| l.strip_prefix("X-Deskify-Backend="))
                     .unwrap_or("legacy");
 
-                println!(
-                    "- {} (Internal ID: {}, Backend: {})",
-                    name, internal_id, backend
-                );
+                if verbose && validate_remove_id(internal_id).is_ok() {
+                    if let Some(cfg) = read_app_config(internal_id)? {
+                        println!(
+                            "- {} (Internal ID: {}, Backend: {}, URL: {})",
+                            name,
+                            internal_id,
+                            backend_str(cfg.backend),
+                            cfg.url
+                        );
+                    } else {
+                        let url = content
+                            .lines()
+                            .find(|l| l.starts_with("X-Deskify-URL="))
+                            .and_then(|l| l.strip_prefix("X-Deskify-URL="));
+                        if let Some(url) = url {
+                            println!(
+                                "- {} (Internal ID: {}, Backend: {}, URL: {})",
+                                name, internal_id, backend, url
+                            );
+                        } else {
+                            println!(
+                                "- {} (Internal ID: {}, Backend: {})",
+                                name, internal_id, backend
+                            );
+                        }
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    println!(
+                        "- {} (Internal ID: {}, Backend: {})",
+                        name, internal_id, backend
+                    );
+                }
                 found = true;
             }
         }
@@ -887,6 +1049,29 @@ fn list_apps() -> Result<()> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
+fn read_desktop_entry_value(id: &str, key: &str) -> Result<Option<String>> {
+    validate_remove_id(id)?;
+    let base_dirs = BaseDirs::new().ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("Could not find system BaseDirs"))?;
+    let desktop_path = base_dirs
+        .data_local_dir()
+        .join("applications")
+        .join(format!("{}.desktop", id));
+    if !desktop_path.exists() {
+        return Ok(None);
+    }
+    let content = fs::read_to_string(&desktop_path)
+        .with_context(|| format!("Failed to read desktop entry {}", desktop_path.display()))?;
+    if !is_deskify_desktop_entry(&content) {
+        return Ok(None);
+    }
+    let prefix = format!("{}=", key);
+    Ok(content
+        .lines()
+        .find(|line| line.starts_with(&prefix))
+        .and_then(|line| line.strip_prefix(&prefix))
+        .map(str::to_string))
+}
+
 fn read_installed_app_display_name(id: &str) -> Result<Option<String>> {
     validate_remove_id(id)?;
     let base_dirs = BaseDirs::new().ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("Could not find system BaseDirs"))?;
@@ -984,6 +1169,9 @@ fn run_doctor() -> Result<()> {
     println!("[info] executable dir: {}", executable_dir.display());
     println!("[info] applications dir: {}", applications_dir.display());
     println!("[info] icons dir: {}", icons_dir.display());
+    if let Ok(exe) = env::current_exe() {
+        println!("[info] deskify path: {}", exe.display());
+    }
 
     if failed {
         Err(anyhow!("Doctor found critical issues"))
@@ -1053,6 +1241,7 @@ fn remove_app_with_options(safe_name: &str, remove_profile: bool) -> Result<()>
     }
 
     println!("Successfully removed app '{}'.", safe_name);
+    let _ = remove_app_config(safe_name);
     Ok(())
 }
 
@@ -1087,6 +1276,7 @@ fn execute_build(args: &BuildArgs, dry_run: bool, print_config: bool) -> Result<
             };
 
             install_tauri_app(args, &bin_path, dir.path())?;
+            write_app_config_from_args(args)?;
             Ok(())
         }
         Backend::Chromium => {
@@ -1094,7 +1284,9 @@ fn execute_build(args: &BuildArgs, dry_run: bool, print_config: bool) -> Result<
                 "Installing Chromium app '{}' for URL: {}",
                 args.name, args.url
             );
-            install_chromium_app(args)
+            install_chromium_app(args)?;
+            write_app_config_from_args(args)?;
+            Ok(())
         }
     }
 }
@@ -1162,8 +1354,8 @@ fn main() -> Result<()> {
             };
             execute_build(&args, dry_run, print_config)?;
         }
-        Commands::List => {
-            list_apps()?;
+        Commands::List { verbose } => {
+            list_apps_with_options(verbose)?;
         }
         Commands::Doctor => {
             run_doctor()?;
@@ -1188,25 +1380,84 @@ fn main() -> Result<()> {
             dry_run,
             print_config,
         } => {
+            let existing_cfg = read_app_config(&id)?;
+            let resolved_url = if let Some(url) = url {
+                url
+            } else if let Some(cfg) = &existing_cfg {
+                cfg.url.clone()
+            } else if let Some(url) = read_desktop_entry_value(&id, "X-Deskify-URL")? {
+                url
+            } else {
+                return Err(anyhow!(
+                    "Missing --url for update. Provide --url or rebuild once with a recent Deskify version so metadata can be persisted."
+                ));
+            };
+
             let resolved_name = if let Some(name) = name {
                 name
+            } else if let Some(cfg) = &existing_cfg {
+                cfg.name.clone()
             } else {
                 read_installed_app_display_name(&id)?.unwrap_or_else(|| id.clone())
             };
+
+            let resolved_backend = if let Some(backend) = backend {
+                backend
+            } else if let Some(cfg) = &existing_cfg {
+                cfg.backend
+            } else if let Some(b) = read_desktop_entry_value(&id, "X-Deskify-Backend")? {
+                match b.as_str() {
+                    "chromium" => Backend::Chromium,
+                    "tauri" => Backend::Tauri,
+                    _ => Backend::Tauri,
+                }
+            } else {
+                Backend::Tauri
+            };
+
+            let resolved_profile_scope = if let Some(scope) = profile_scope {
+                scope
+            } else if let Some(cfg) = &existing_cfg {
+                cfg.profile_scope
+            } else {
+                ProfileScope::Isolated
+            };
+
+            let resolved_user_agent = if user_agent.is_some() {
+                user_agent
+            } else {
+                existing_cfg.as_ref().and_then(|c| c.user_agent.clone())
+            };
+            let resolved_width = width.or_else(|| existing_cfg.as_ref().and_then(|c| c.width));
+            let resolved_height = height.or_else(|| existing_cfg.as_ref().and_then(|c| c.height));
+            let resolved_browser_bin =
+                browser_bin.or_else(|| existing_cfg.as_ref().and_then(|c| c.browser_bin.clone()));
+
+            let resolved_fullscreen =
+                fullscreen.unwrap_or(existing_cfg.as_ref().map(|c| c.fullscreen).unwrap_or(false));
+            let resolved_no_decorations = no_decorations.unwrap_or(
+                existing_cfg
+                    .as_ref()
+                    .map(|c| c.no_decorations)
+                    .unwrap_or(false),
+            );
+            let resolved_dark_mode =
+                dark_mode.unwrap_or(existing_cfg.as_ref().map(|c| c.dark_mode).unwrap_or(false));
+
             let args = BuildArgs {
-                url,
+                url: resolved_url,
                 name: resolved_name,
                 internal_id: id.clone(),
                 icon,
-                fullscreen,
-                no_decorations,
-                user_agent,
-                width,
-                height,
-                dark_mode,
-                backend,
-                browser_bin,
-                profile_scope,
+                fullscreen: resolved_fullscreen,
+                no_decorations: resolved_no_decorations,
+                user_agent: resolved_user_agent,
+                width: resolved_width,
+                height: resolved_height,
+                dark_mode: resolved_dark_mode,
+                backend: resolved_backend,
+                browser_bin: resolved_browser_bin,
+                profile_scope: resolved_profile_scope,
             };
             execute_update(&id, &args, dry_run, print_config)?;
         }
@@ -1222,6 +1473,8 @@ mod tests {
         is_deskify_desktop_entry, sanitize_app_id, validate_remove_id,
     };
     use std::path::Path;
+    use std::{fs, os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt};
+    use tempfile::tempdir;
 
     #[test]
     fn sanitize_app_id_replaces_spaces_and_strips_symbols() {
@@ -1312,4 +1565,26 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(exec.contains("--force-dark-mode"));
         assert!(exec.contains("--user-agent="));
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn profile_scope_accepts_default_alias() {
+        let scope: ProfileScope = serde_json::from_str("\"default\"").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(scope, ProfileScope::Isolated);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn resolve_chromium_binary_rejects_broken_explicit_path() {
+        let dir = tempdir().unwrap();
+        let script = dir.path().join("broken-browser");
+        fs::write(&script, "#!/bin/sh\nexit 1\n").unwrap();
+        let mut perms = fs::metadata(&script).unwrap().permissions();
+        perms.set_mode(0o755);
+        fs::set_permissions(&script, perms).unwrap();
+
+        let err = super::resolve_chromium_binary(Some(script.to_str().unwrap()))
+            .err()
+            .unwrap()
+            .to_string();
+        assert!(err.contains("failed to run") || err.contains("does not appear to be usable"));
+    }
 }