====== Total Launcher Quick Start Guide: 5-Minute Setup & Core Editing Rules ======

Total Launcher operates as a completely customizable graphics canvas rather than a traditional, rigid Android launcher. Understanding the core editing mechanics, such as entering design modes, separating object appearance from touch actions, and managing layered window architecture, allows for rapid and efficient interface construction. This introductory overview establishes the three foundational rules required to build, edit, and navigate custom setups in under five minutes. The customization workflow begins with the universal editing gesture used throughout the entire platform.

===== The Golden Rule: "Press and Hold Everything" =====
  * Everything in Total Launcher can be edited. To change, move, or resize an item, press and hold it.
    * To open the main layout menu: Long-press any empty space on your home screen.
    * To edit an item: Long-press the specific text, icon, or widget.

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**This is what happens:**
  * The Launcher is in **Edit Off** mode 
  * Tap an empty area of the screen to enter **Edit mode**
  * Tap the Edit Off icon (lower right) to enter **Edit On** mode
  * Tap the desired page (if a multi-page layout) to enter that page
  * Notice the **Object Design Menu** at the top
  * Tap the **+** icon to add an object
  * Select **Graphic > Default** (allows other object types)
  * Select **Image** (tap the desired image)
  * **Move** the image to a location by tap-dragging on the image center
  * **Resize** the image by tap-dragging on the image lower right handle
  * Manual resize/movement dialog is shown by tapping the **edit pencil**
  * Use the **joystick** for a refined movement of the object
  * Tap an empty area to **deselect** the object
  * Tap the Edit On icon (lower left) to enter **Edit Off** mode

🔗 Deep Dive: [[:uitlm-rewrite:phase_01|Starting with "The Object"]]
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===== Anatomy of an Item: Appearance (⚙️) vs. Action (▶️) =====
^  **When you select an item in Edit Mode, two primary control buttons appear at the top:**  ^^
|  ⚙️ **Appearance**  |  ▶️ **Action**  |
| | |
|  Styles, Colors,\\   |  Taps, Swipes,\\   |
|  Fonts, & Shapes  |  App Launches  |
| | |
|  ⚙️ Gear Icon (Appearance):\\ Controls how it looks\\ fonts, shapes, padding,\\ colors, and graphics.  |  ▶️ Play Icon (Action):\\ Controls what it does\\ launching an app, opening a window,\\ or executing a gesture trigger.  |

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**This is what happens:**
  * The Launcher is in **Edit Off** mode 
  * Tap an empty area of the screen to enter **Edit mode**
  * Tap the Edit Off icon (lower right) to enter **Edit On** mode
  * Tap the desired page (if a multi-page layout) to enter that page
  * Tap-hold an object to **select** it
  * In the **Object Design Menu**, select the **Action** icon
  * Shows the Action and Target **dialogs** available
  * From the Object Design Menu, select the **Option** icon
  * Note the existing image in the image slot.
  * Tap that image to enter the **Image Resource** dialog. Tap an image to select it.
  * Scroll to view the remainder of the Option dialog.
  * Tap **Animation** (lower right tab) to view its dialog.
  * **Swipe right-to-left** to exit the dialog and return to the page.
  * Note the new image. Tap an empty area to **deselect** the object.
  * With no object selected, note the **Page Design Menu** at the top.
  * Tap the **Undo** icon to revert the most recent change
🔗 Deep Dive: [[:section:section-basic_editing|Editing Guides]] | [[:section:section-resources|All About Resources]]
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===== The 3 Layers: Pages, Windows, and Objects =====
  * Total Launcher screens are built from three basic components:

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|  **WINDOWS**  | Popups, drawers, sidebars |
|  **PAGES**  | Horizontal / Vertical grid |
|  **OBJECTS**  | Icons, Text, Shapes, Clock |

  * Pages: The primary home screen pages.
  * Windows: Popups, side panels, and custom app drawers that open on top of pages.
  * Objects: The individual items placed onto Pages or Windows (Text, Images, Widgets, Shapes).

🔗 Deep Dive: [[:section:section-windows|Windows, Drawers, and Widgets]]
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| 💡**Pro-Tip:**\\ Before Starting:\\ Back Up All Work!  | • Before tweaking or applying\\ new themes, create a backup. |
|:::| • Go to Launcher Options\\ → Backup Center\\ → Tap +\\ to save the current layout. |

{{:ui:ui-backup_dialog-v4.webp?direct&200|Backup dialog}} {{:ui:ui-backup-3dot_menu-v4.webp?direct&200|Backup's Actions}}

🔗 Deep Dive: [[:section:section-backups|Backups & Exporting Setups]]

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===== 📚 Where to Go Next? =====
    * ➕ [[:section:section-widget|Working With Widgets]]
    * 🎨 [[:section:section-installation#installing_a_theme|Installing & Applying Themes]]
    * ⚡ Setting up [[:section:section-gestures|Swipe Gestures]] or [[:section:section-sequence|Sequences]]


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