# shell

> Manage files and URLs using their default applications.

Process: [Main](../tutorial/quick-start.md#main-process), [Renderer](../tutorial/quick-start.md#renderer-process)

The `shell` module provides functions related to desktop integration.

An example of opening a URL in the user's default browser:

```javascript
const {shell} = require('electron')

shell.openExternal('https://github.com')
```

## Methods

The `shell` module has the following methods:

### `shell.showItemInFolder(fullPath)`

* `fullPath` String

Returns `Boolean` - Whether the item was successfully shown

Show the given file in a file manager. If possible, select the file.

### `shell.openItem(fullPath)`

* `fullPath` String

Returns `Boolean` - Whether the item was successfully opened.

Open the given file in the desktop's default manner.

### `shell.openExternal(url[, options, callback])`

* `url` String
* `options` Object (optional) _macOS_
  * `activate` Boolean - `true` to bring the opened application to the
    foreground. The default is `true`.
* `callback` Function (optional) - If specified will perform the open asynchronously. _macOS_
  * `opened` Boolean

Returns `Boolean` - Whether an application was available to open the URL.
If callback is specified, it will return whether it was able to initiate the open call.

Open the given external protocol URL in the desktop's default manner. (For
example, mailto: URLs in the user's default mail agent).

### `shell.moveItemToTrash(fullPath)`

* `fullPath` String

Returns `Boolean` - Whether the item was successfully moved to the trash

Move the given file to trash and returns a boolean status for the operation.

### `shell.beep()`

Play the beep sound.

### `shell.writeShortcutLink(shortcutPath[, operation], options)` _Windows_

* `shortcutPath` String
* `operation` String (optional) - Default is `create`, can be one of following:
  * `create` - Creates a new shortcut, overwriting if necessary.
  * `update` - Updates specified properties only on an existing shortcut.
  * `replace` - Overwrites an existing shortcut, fails if the shortcut doesn't
    exist.
* `options` [ShortcutDetails](structures/shortcut-details.md)

Returns `Boolean` - Whether the shortcut was created successfully

Creates or updates a shortcut link at `shortcutPath`.

### `shell.readShortcutLink(shortcutPath)` _Windows_

* `shortcutPath` String

Returns [`ShortcutDetails`](structures/shortcut-details.md)

Resolves the shortcut link at `shortcutPath`.

An exception will be thrown when any error happens.