# URL Shortcuts

URL shortcuts are components within a project or the Toolbox that are used to store frequently used URL addresses. These URL shortcuts can be opened in an external browser (as specified in the Web and Browser preference) or displayed in a new tab within Komodo.

Refer to Adding Components to Projects or Adding Components to the Toolbox for instructions on adding components to projects or the Toolbox. In addition, URL shortcuts can be created by dragging a URL from a browser address bar or from a Komodo tab onto a project or Toolbox. URLs must be preceded by "http://".

To open a URL, double-click the URL name (which opens the URL in an external browser), use the assigned key binding, or right-click the URL and select Open URL in browser or Open URL in tab.

## URL Shortcut Options

To access options for the selected URL shortcut, do one of the following:

- Toolbox|shortcut_name|option or Project|shortcut_name|option: When a URL shortcut is selected in the Projects or Toolbox sidebars, use the Project or Toolbox drop-down menus to access the list of options. The name of the URL shortcut that is currently selected in a project or the Toolbox is displayed on the drop-down menu.
- Context Menu: Right-click the URL shortcut in a project or the Toolbox and select the desired option.

The following options are available:

- Open URL in browser: Use this option to launch the default web browser (as specified in the Web and Browser preference) and display the stored URL.
- Open URL in tab: Use this option to display the stored URL in a tab in the Komodo Editor Pane.
- Cut/Copy/Paste: These options are used to remove the URL shortcut from a project or the Toolbox, or to move URL shortcuts between the project and the Toolbox (and vice versa).
- Export as Project File: When this option is invoked, a new project file is created that contains the URL shortcut from which the option is invoked. You are prompted to provide the name of the new project file and the directory where it will be stored. To open the new project file, select File|Open|Project.
- Export Package: URLs can be archived and distributed among multiple Komodo users via "packages". Packages are compressed archive files that contain the URL shortcut from which the Export Package option was invoked. Packages are stored in files with a ".kpz" extension, and can be opened by any archiving utility that supports `libz` (for example WinZip). The Export Package option differs from the Export as Project File option in that copies of filesystem-based components (such as files and dialog projects) are included in the archive. Conversely, Export as Project File creates a project with a reference to the component's original location and does not create copies of the components. When Export Package is invoked, you are prompted for a name and file location for the package. Exported packages can only be imported into "container" objects in Komodo, such as projects, the Toolbox, and folders within projects and the Toolbox. See Toolbox - Exporting and Importing Toolbox Contents, Projects - Importing and Exporting Projects via Packages, or Folders - Import Contents from Package for more information.
- Rename: To change the name of a URL shortcut, select this option and enter a new name.
- Delete: To remove a URL shortcut from a project or the Toolbox, select this option. The URL shortcut is permanently deleted.

### URL Shortcut Properties

URL shortcut properties are used to alter the address of the URL or to change the URL shortcut's name. The Properties dialog box is also used to assign a custom icon to a URL shortcut or to assign a custom key binding. To access the Properties dialog box, right-click the URL shortcut and select Properties.

#### Assigning Custom Icons to URL Shortcuts

The default URL shortcut icon can be replaced with custom icons. Komodo includes more than 600 icons; alternatively, select a custom image stored on a local or network drive (use 16x16-pixel images for best results).

To assign a custom icon to a URL shortcut:

1. In the Projects or Toolbox sidebar, right-click the URL shortcut and select Properties. Alternatively, click the URL shortcut to select it, then select Projects|macro_name|Properties or Toolbox|macro_name|Properties.
2. In the Properties dialog box, click Change Icon.
3. In the Pick an Icon dialog box, select a new icon and click OK. Alternatively, click Choose Other, and browse to the desired image file.
4. In the Properties dialog box for the URL shortcut, click OK. The custom icon is displayed next to the URL shortcut.

To revert to the default icon for a selected URL shortcut:

1. In the Projects or Toolbox sidebar, right-click the desired URL shortcut and select Properties.
2. Click Reset, then click OK. The default icon is displayed next to the URL shortcut.

#### URL Shortcut Key Bindings

Custom key bindings can be assigned to URL shortcuts stored in the Toolbox or in a Project. Use the Key Binding tab in the URL shortcut's Properties to specify the keystrokes that invoke the URL shortcut. See Key Bindings for Custom Components for more information.