Native file shelf and panel applet for COSMIC.
Arch · Fedora · Ubuntu/Pop!_OS 22.04+ · x64/ARM64
curl -fsSL https://github.com/motixo/orbit/releases/latest/download/install.sh | shDouble-click the header to switch between floating and pinned. Drag a pinned header toward a screen corner to move it there.
You can also drop files onto a collapsed pinned Orbit.
In COSMIC Settings → Desktop → Panel or Dock → Applets, add Orbit. Drop files directly onto the applet to open an Orbit with them. Right-click it for Settings and Shortcuts.
Right-click the applet or tray → Settings → Watch folder. New files added directly to the selected folder appear automatically in a separate Orbit.
Open ⋯ → Share in an Orbit.
Complete Initial file sharing once. Reopen it from the applet or tray Settings to recheck AirDrop hardware.
Orbit Share
- Keep devices on the same network or hotspot. Nearby Orbits appear automatically; confirm the pairing code on both computers.
- On iPhone, Android or another computer, open the web app to scan the desktop QR (Pair via QR) or enter its link. PWA installation is optional.
- Share files, text and links both ways; folders become ZIP files. Keep the Share window open during transfers.
- Manage saved devices and permission to open Orbits from Paired devices.
- Downloads go to
Downloads/Orbit-Share. Change the folder or PWA URL in Settings, or deploy your own PWA. Changing the URL requires re-pairing.
Croc encrypts files, WebRTC connects devices and syncs items, and mDNS discovers nearby computers. Files stay on your network; Cloudflare hosts the web app. Open it online once and wait for Ready offline to transfer without internet later.
AirDrop
Choose Find devices to send selected items, or Receive to accept files. Set the receiving Apple device to Everyone for 10 Minutes. Owly uses Apple's AWDL protocol and requires compatible Wi-Fi hardware. Wi-Fi disconnects during AirDrop and reconnects when you leave it.
LocalSend
Install support from Initial file sharing, then open Share → LocalSend to send files or text to the LocalSend app on another device, or receive them into the shelf. Incoming transfers require approval; Orbit uses the official Rust core over HTTPS on your local network.
KDE Connect
Install the optional service from Initial file sharing. It currently uses Orbit's COSMIC KDE Connect fork. Pair with KDE Connect on another device to send selected items or receive files into the shelf, with per-file progress.
Defaults inside an Orbit window:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+N | New Orbit |
| Ctrl+P | Pin / Unpin |
| Ctrl+Shift+P | Next corner (pinned) |
| Ctrl+M | Collapse / Expand (pinned) |
| Ctrl+O | Add files |
| Ctrl+Shift+O | Add folders |
| Ctrl+C | Copy selected items |
| Ctrl+V | Add from clipboard |
| Ctrl+A | Select all |
| Delete | Remove selected items, or all if none selected |
| Ctrl+Q | Close Orbit |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo removal |
| Space | Preview |
Use Shortcuts to customize these and assign desktop shortcuts for New Orbit and Orbit Menu.
