random-pics

Fast desktop local image viewer for gesture drawing and reference practice. If you touch-type, the UI shortcuts should feel natural on first use.

what it does

• opens large image folders quickly, works natively with nested folders (folders inside folders)
• lets you browse in order or shuffle randomly
• Ctrl toggles shortcut hints, Alt switches left/right key side; button order updates to match keyboard rows
• includes a timed slideshow mode for hands-free practice
• remembers your last image and UI settings between launches
• offers quick image aids: mirror and greyscale
• keeps session history so you can jump back easily

additional shortcuts

• hold z or / key, enter number of seconds, release key to update start/stop timer value
• double-click on folder in app UI to serve images only from this folder

install

Debian/Ubuntu via apt repository:

curl -fsSL https://yukiyuziriha.github.io/random-pics/apt/keyrings/random-pics-archive-keyring.gpg \
  | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/random-pics-archive-keyring.gpg >/dev/null
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/random-pics-archive-keyring.gpg] https://yukiyuziriha.github.io/random-pics/apt stable main" \
  | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/random-pics.list >/dev/null
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y random-pics

Debian/Ubuntu one-off install from latest release asset:

bash <(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/YukiYuziriha/random-pics/main/scripts/install-latest-deb.sh)

Arch via AUR (once random-pics-bin is published):

yay -S random-pics-bin

Arch direct from AppImage release asset:

chmod +x ./random-pics_1.1.1_amd64.AppImage
./random-pics_1.1.1_amd64.AppImage

Run installed app:

random-pics

dev run

Requirements:

• Bun
• Rust toolchain (for Tauri)

Fresh machine setup (Arch/EndeavourOS):

sudo pacman -S --needed rustup
rustup default stable

Project setup:

bun install
bun add -d @tauri-apps/cli

Command (safe on fresh shells):

source "$HOME/.cargo/env" && bunx -p @tauri-apps/cli tauri dev

If Rust is already on PATH:

bunx -p @tauri-apps/cli tauri dev

What this does:

• starts frontend watch build
• runs Tauri desktop app with bundled local frontend assets
• uses Rust Tauri commands (invoke) for backend logic
• does not require localhost HTTP API

typecheck / test

Typecheck:

bun tsc

Rust backend regression tests:

bun run test

CI-style validation (Rust tests + TypeScript typecheck):

bun run test:ci

build app package

source "$HOME/.cargo/env" && bunx tauri build

Output files are generated per platform in: src-tauri/target/release/bundle/

Typical outputs include .deb/.AppImage on Linux, .dmg on macOS, and .msi on Windows.

change workflow (important)

If you change src/App.tsx (or any frontend file):

• rebuild with bunx tauri build and reinstall the generated package for your OS

If you change backend behavior, update Rust code in:

• src-tauri/src/*.rs
• src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
• src-tauri/capabilities/*.json

Current runtime architecture:

• desktop app powered by Tauri commands (invoke) for backend logic
• frontend assets are bundled into the app package
• no separate local API server required at runtime