linuxmint / linuxmint/cinnamon

[Feature Request] Use XDG Base Directory Specifications for Linux Mint

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Dominant language
JavaScript
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Description

Distribution: Linux Mint 20.2 64-bit

Cinnamon Version: Cinnamon 5.0.7

Issue
Linux Mint uses ${HOME} to store data, config and cache files, this pollutes the home directory.
Example: ~/.cinnamon ~/.linuxmint

Describe the solution you'd like
Linux Mint should follow XDG base directory specifications, resulting in a cleaner and easier management of ${HOME} directory.

Describe alternatives you've considered
Using ${XDG_DATA_HOME} ${XDG_CONFIG_HOME} ${XDG_CACHE_HOME}
https://specifications.freedesktop.org/basedir-spec/basedir-spec-latest.html
https://wiki.debian.org/XDGBaseDirectorySpecification
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/XDG_Base_Directory

Contributor guide

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First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by reviewing Cinnamon's use of the ~/.cinnamon and ~/.linuxmint paths and the linked XDG Base Directory Specification. Determine which data, configuration, and cache files belong under XDG_DATA_HOME, XDG_CONFIG_HOME, and XDG_CACHE_HOME; done means the relevant files no longer pollute HOME while preserving existing behavior.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
javascript, linux
Domain
desktop, operating-systems
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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