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**⚠️ v4.0 UI Transition Notice - In Process:**
//The release of Total Launcher v4.0 has introduced significant user interface changes. Please note that this 
page does not yet reflect these updates. The new layout paths, folds, and visual maps are currently being 
compiled and will be deployed shortly.//
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Return to the previous page or [[:start|Welcome]]
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====== 🚀 Total Launcher: 5-Minute Quick Tour ======

Welcome to Total Launcher! Unlike standard Android launchers, Total Launcher behaves like an open canvas or graphics editor. This quick tour covers the four foundational rules you need to start building or editing your home screen.

  - The Golden Rule: "Press and Hold Everything"
    * Everything in Total Launcher can be edited. If you want to change, move, or resize an item, simply press and hold it.
      * To open the main layout menu: Long-press any empty space on your home screen.
      * To edit an item: Long-press the specific text, icon, or widget.
> 🖼️ Visual Asset: GIF showing a long-press on empty space bringing up the edit bar.
> 🔗 Deep Dive: [[Wiki: Long-Press Actions & Menu Navigation]]
 
  - The Lock Switch: Edit Mode vs. User Mode
    * To prevent accidental moves while daily-driving your phone, Total Launcher stays locked. You must switch to Edit Mode to make changes.
      * Long-press an empty area to bring up the menu.
      * Tap the 🔒 Lock Icon in the bottom corner to unlock/lock editing.
| Mode | What it does | Icon State |
|---|---|---|
| User Mode | Normal phone usage (apps launch, gestures work). | 🔒 Locked |
| Edit Mode | Drag, resize, style, and assign actions to objects. | 🔓 Unlocked |
> 🖼️ Visual Asset: Annotated screenshot highlighting the Lock/Unlock icon on the bottom menu bar.
> 🔗 Deep Dive: [[Wiki: Edit Mode Features & Safety Locking]]

  - Anatomy of an Item: Appearance (⚙️) vs. Action (▶️)
^  **When you select an item in Edit Mode, two primary control buttons appear at the top:**  ^^
|  ⚙️ Appearance  |  ▶️ Action  |
| | |
|  Styles, Colors,\\   |  Taps, Swipes,\\   |
|  Fonts, & Shapes  |  App Launches  |
| | |
|  * ⚙️ Gear Icon (Appearance): Controls how it looks—fonts, shapes, padding, colors, and graphics.  |  * ▶️ Play Icon (Action): Controls what it does—launching an app, opening a window, or executing a gesture trigger.  |
> 🖼️ Visual Asset: Side-by-side comparison image showing the Gear style panel vs. the Play action menu.
> 🔗 Deep Dive: [[Wiki: Styling & Graphics]] | [[Wiki: Launcher Actions & Gestures]]

  - The 3 Layers: Pages, Windows, and Objects
    * Total Launcher screens are built from three basic components:
  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
  │  [ WINDOWS ] Popups, drawers, sidebars  │
  ├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
  │  [ PAGES ]   Horizontal / Vertical grid │
  ├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
  │  [ OBJECTS ] Icons, Text, Shapes, Clock │
  └─────────────────────────────────────────┘

      * Pages: Your primary home screen pages.
      * Windows: Popups, side panels, and custom app drawers that open on top of pages.
      * Objects: The individual items placed onto Pages or Windows (Text, Images, Widgets, Shapes).
> 🖼️ Visual Asset: Exploded 3D layer diagram showing an Object sitting on a Window, which sits on a Page.
> 🔗 Deep Dive: [[Wiki: Understanding Pages vs. Windows]]

 💡 Pro-Tip Before You Start: Back Up Your Work!
    * Before tweaking or applying new themes, create a backup.
      * Go to Launcher Options → Backup Center → Tap + to save your current layout.
> 🖼️ Visual Asset: Screenshot showing the Backup Center screen.
> 🔗 Deep Dive: [[Wiki: Backup Center & Exporting Layouts]]
> 
  - 📚 Where to Go Next?
    * ➕ [[Wiki: Adding Your First Custom Widget/Text]]
    * 🎨 [[Wiki: Installing & Applying Themes]]
    * ⚡ [[Wiki: Setting Up Swipe Gestures & Sequences]]


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