Quick Start Guide

This guide will walk you through the basic steps to get started with lightGallery Desktop after you have installed it from the source.

1. Launch the Application

If you have followed the Installation guide, you can start the application by running the following command from the project's root directory:

npm start

The application window will open, displaying a welcome screen.

2. Open Your Images

The application is ready to view your photos. You have two primary ways to open them:

  • Drag and Drop (Recommended)

    The welcome screen prompts you to drag and drop images. Simply drag a single image, multiple images, or a folder containing images directly onto the application window.

    Drag and Drop UI

  • File Menu

    You can also use the application's file menu: * Go to File > Open to select one or more image files. * Go to File > Open directory to open all supported images within a specific folder.

Once your images are loaded, the gallery view will appear. You can navigate through your photos using any of the following methods:

  • Keyboard Arrows: Use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.
  • Mouse Drag: Click and drag left or right on the current image.
  • On-Screen Arrows: Click the < and > buttons that appear on the sides of the image.
  • Thumbnails: If thumbnails are enabled (they are by default), you can click any thumbnail at the bottom of the screen to jump directly to that image.

You are now ready to explore the features and settings of lightGallery Desktop!