A developer has released xdgctl, a terminal-based interface for managing XDG default applications on Linux desktops. The tool lets users browse and set defaults for file categories like browsers and text editors without directly using the `xdg-mime` command-line utility.

Built with C and GLib/GIO, xdgctl provides a clean TUI for viewing current defaults marked with an asterisk. It navigates categories with arrow keys and sets selections with Enter, simplifying a traditionally manual process involving editing `mimeapps.list` files or running `update-desktop-database`.

This addresses a common pain point for Linux users managing application associations across the system. For power users and developers, xdgctl offers a more intuitive alternative to scattered configuration files, potentially streamlining desktop environment setup and customization workflows.