diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 6401c894aa139aa7c3f46a318175896c5344af19..5003806540c5de269ce639b12b60d82ba1589c8b 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-.PHONY: confignator ccs-storage codeblockreusefeature install-testlib python-requirements db-user database-dev-env databases
+.PHONY: confignator ccs-storage codeblockreusefeature install-testlib python-requirements db-user database-dev-env databases startmenu-entries
 
-install: python-requirements confignator ccs-storage codeblockreusefeature
+install: python-requirements confignator ccs-storage codeblockreusefeature startmenu-entries
 
 databases: ccs-storage codeblockreusefeature
 
@@ -69,6 +69,18 @@ install-testlib:
 	@echo "+----------------------------------+"
 	@echo
 
+startmenu-entries:
+	@echo "+-----------------------------------+"
+	@echo "| creating application menu entries |"
+	@echo "+-----------------------------------+"
+	    ./gen_desktop_files.sh $(CURDIR)
+	    mv ccs.desktop $(HOME)/.local/share/applications/
+	    mv tst.desktop $(HOME)/.local/share/applications/
+	@echo "+----------------------------------+"
+	@echo "| created application menu entries |"
+	@echo "+----------------------------------+"
+	@echo
+
 set-start-scripts-permissions:
 	@echo "+-----------------------------------------------------+"
 	@echo "| setting permissions for the start scripts (execute) |"
diff --git a/gen_desktop_files.sh b/gen_desktop_files.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..eae028f70b5e3b2f50f0600a8df6a4649ba4b105
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gen_desktop_files.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Generate desktop entries for CCS and TST apps
+
+CDIR=$1
+
+echo "[Desktop Entry]
+Name=CCS
+Icon=${CDIR}/Ccs/pixmap/ccs_logo_2.svg
+Comment=The UVIE Central Checkout System
+Exec=${CDIR}/start_ccs
+Path=${CDIR}
+Type=Application
+Categories=Development;" > ccs.desktop
+
+echo "[Desktop Entry]
+Name=TST
+Icon=${CDIR}/Tst/tst/style/tst.png
+Comment=The UVIE Test Specification Tool
+Exec=${CDIR}/start_tst
+Path=${CDIR}
+Type=Application
+Categories=Development;" > tst.desktop