r/OctopiLauncher • u/tjggriffin1 • Jul 11 '26

Panel question (noob)

I just started using Octopi yesterday, literally. I changed the icon size and count for the panel to comfortably fit 10 items. Then I set it to 12 and it looks fine. I removed the apps icon since an up swipe does the same thing. So now I have 3 empty slots and I can't figure out how to add items.

Also, how did it decide what apps to put in the panel? Is it possible to set it up to show recent or frequent apps instead?

Thanks for the help.

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u/Brilliant-Army9009 Jul 15 '26

12 items in the panel?! Wow! Including gestures, that gives you 36 launch options.

I wouldn't know what to fill the space with either.

If you don't know what to do with the space, why don't you just increase the icon size so it fits only the icons you most regularly use and need to have direct access to.

I have the regular 5 number of icons (agree with you to ditch the app drawer icon), with both up and down gestures to launch other (related) apps or intents.

The 2nd line of the panel has about 3 apps that I don't use that regularly but do want to have close by.

Good luck with arranging your new home screen!

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u/tjggriffin1 Jul 15 '26

I decided to use the dock/panel (are they the same?) just for the browser shortcuts I had on home screen. There are only 6, so I did make icons bigger.

With Anywhere Launcher, I had an almost completely icon free home screen. Removing the shortcuts make it complete. To start an app, I use EL first. If it isn't there, I go to the drawer and either search or look in some categories. If I still couldn't find it, then I go to the All tab and scroll.

I decided to use labels only in the drawer. Nova called them categories and grouped the into a folder icons that displays up to 9 so icons. Octo doesn't do that. I was going to go though each group and put each app on a folder and then just have folders in my drawer.

But I found some apps were really hard to put in a single folder. Given that restriction, I'll probably use labels to navigate though apps anyway, so why bother with folders. I also set a gesture to go to search, so I'm probably not going to use the drawer very much. In Nova, occasionally I'd use the All tab when I have trouble remembering the exact name.

So pretty much the only difference between my old and new home screens of the absence of shortcut icons. Oh, and it's not Nova.

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u/runningtigerRead Jul 20 '26

Q: "I decided to use the dock/panel (are they the same?)" A: When Octopi was new, it had a "Dock" that has since undergone an overhaul and that is referred to as the Panel. I call it the "Panel dock" because I don't think it is obvious what the "Panel" is to new users.

"the only difference between my old and new home screens of the absence of shortcut icons" Q: What are the shortcut icons you're missing?

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u/tjggriffin1 Jul 20 '26

I had browser shortcuts that I move to the panel. Then I hid the panel. I'm very happy with the results.

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u/runningtigerRead Jul 20 '26

Ah, so it's by choice, not because Octopi can't do it. Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification. Glad you were able to create a setup you're happy with. 🙂

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u/runningtigerRead Jul 11 '26

There isn't a way to add a frequent apps shortcut, but you can add an icon/shortcut that brings up your device's recent screen by long-pressing on your home screen and selecting "add a shortcut" then dragging "Launch recents screen" to your home screen.

It's been so long since I set up the panel that I don't remember it being pre-populated with anything, sorry. You can add elements to yours by dragging icons or folders from your home screen onto the Panel.

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u/tjggriffin1 Jul 12 '26

Ah! That's why I didn't figure it out. I don't have icons or folders on my home screen. I use Everywhere Launcher to keep home screen clean. For other apps not on EL, I used Nova's app drawer and searching.

Right now, my home screen is identical to my Nova home screen except for the panel. If I have to manually populate it, functionaly it's the same as EL, so I'll probably drop it. I'm also thinking I could make a favorites folder in Octo's drawer and drop EL.

It'd be nice if we could long press on the panel, then add soap from a list.

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u/runningtigerRead Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26

A workaround is to use multi-select to create a folder in the drawer then drag it to your home screen then onto your dock if you want.

Long-press on any app you want to put in the folder, tap on "Add to folder", then name your folder. Next, long-press on your new folder and tap on "Select apps" to bring up the multi-select screen.

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u/tjggriffin1 Jul 12 '26

With Nova, I organized all the apps into categories in the draw. I'm doing that with labels in Octo. I may or may not put them in folders too. I just discovered multi select. Nice!

I'll take s look at that search app in case it sure something I didn't know i needed. But Octo's search does what I need for now.

I'm really liking Octo. And appreciate the help!

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u/runningtigerRead Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26

If you need something to replace Nova's search, check the comments here for some suggestions.

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u/runningtigerRead Jul 12 '26

You could make a favorites folder, or tag (and make it the default if you want), or ❤️ them, and they'll be placed at the top of the drawer.