Help making Portal remember last file location visited (Solved)

General Help
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Hello. I downloaded an app I use, GDevelop, from the Software icon. The option available was flathub. When I use this program I notice that every time I open or create a new project, or do anything else requiring access to my file system, a "Portal" opens and I select location.

The problem arises when I am adding images to my project. The Portal never remembers what location I chose the last image from. I have to click through a maze to find my assets folder all over again so that I can select the next image for my sprites. This is very tedious as projects can have hundreds of images to be added. Is there a way to make Portal remember the last file I was in so that it opens to that file and I only have to select my image?

I did try a Google search but I think my phrases were not right.

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It could be because the Program is a Flatpak. Flatpak's have only restricted Access to the System. When the Developer offers a .deb Version You could try it with that.

But there is another Point: This ''Remembering'' would only work so long You actively use it. When You make a Reboot it will be begin in default. This is my Experience with that.

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Thank you. So you're saying it could be how I installed it as a Flatpak. I had wondered about that. I checked the developer site and they do not have the .deb Version you mention, just the flathub and another one called an AppImage. Likely the AppImage would also open files with the "Portal" as it would not know what files existed on my computer?

I would only need it to "remember" while I'm using it. Just like a normal program, remembering where you last saved a file 2 minutes ago and offering that location immediately. Then you can navigate to a different location if needed and now it remembers that new location and offers it immediately when you open the dialog again.

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Flatpak's (like Snap's too) run in a Container. So, they only have limited Permissions. And that can sometimes make Things a bit ... cumbersome (I hope this is the right Translation, hahaha!).

AppImage ... to be honest I don't know if this would work like You want. AppImages ... how can I explain that ... they bring all Stuff with it and run from itself. I don't know if you have used Windows before but there were similar Stuff: portable Versions of a Program. That are Program that You don't need to install. They run directly when You click on them. With AppImages it is similar. But You have to make them executable.

But that must explain someone who knows better about that. I'm not the right Guy for that. Let's see if more experienced User can explain that. @zenzen, @zabadabadoo, @swarfendor437, @Aravisian

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If you have a folder with all your images or subfolders you can drag it on the left vertical panel and drop it over New Bookmark until a suitable solution is suggested.

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I have all the images in one folder. I tried your suggestion. It works very well for me, thank you. I think I don't have to search any further, I can get back to work on my projects.

@Ponce-De-Leon Thank you for explaining these program formats. I am familiar with Windows. I have been migrating from Windows to Zorin for the last 19 days. These explanations have helped me understand better why there are so many formats of the same programs.

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I think you did just fine. And yes, I used AppImages on Windows OS. There are several stand-alone software package formats on Windows, as well. Many people do not know about or use them, sticking strictly to .exe's from all over the internet...
You also can install and use ninja on Windows OS and use it to manage packages (which I used to do when I was a Windows user, installing software from the cmd prompt).. Windows uses QT and GTK - so a person that rolled up their sleeves and dug into Windows a bit will find familiarity already present in GnuLinux.

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I didn't know about any of that. This sort of makes me want to try it now... :thinking:

About the file picker, my understanding is that it's up to the software to implement which file picker will be invoked. Gdevelop is based on Electron, which it uses GTK, and depending on the version it will invoke the the native dialog picker which in turn uses portals as well:

I'm pretty sure after reading this, though I have no confirmation whatsoever, that this is why the file picker implements a "recents" option on the sidebar.

For example, on Debian 12 running XFCE, Firefox remembers the last location just fine, whereas VS Codium (electron based) does not.

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