---
title: "Homarr Apps — Managing Dashboard Links & Status Checks"
aliases: [homarr-apps-management, homarr-bookmarks]
tags: [homarr, homelab, dashboard, self-hosted]
sources: [raw/Homarr documentation 1.md]
created: 2026-04-19
updated: 2026-04-19
---

## Overview

Apps are the core building blocks of a Homarr board. Each app is primarily a link to a service URL, optionally augmented with a live ping status check. Apps are rendered via the **bookmark** and **app** widgets.

Homarr version: **1.59.2**

---

## Creating an App

Navigate to **Apps management → top-right button** to open the creation form.

### Required Fields

| Field | Notes |
|-------|-------|
| **Name** | Any string ≥ 1 character |
| **URL** | The link opened when clicking the widget/bookmark |

### Optional Fields

| Field | Notes |
|-------|-------|
| **Icon URL** | Remote image URL, bundled icon repo, or locally uploaded file |
| **Description** | Shown as a tooltip on the app widget |
| **Ping URL** | Separate URL used only for the status ping (useful for internal vs external addressing) |

---

## Ping URL — Key Pattern

The Ping URL decouples **health check address** from **user-facing address**:

- Set **URL** to the external/public address (e.g. `https://jellyfin.example.com`)
- Set **Ping URL** to the internal address (e.g. `http://192.168.1.50:8096`)
- Homarr pings the internal IP for fast, reliable status; opens the external URL for the user

This is the recommended pattern for any service exposed through a reverse proxy.

---

## Managing Apps

The **Apps management page** lists all apps in the Homarr instance. From there you can:

- Edit any app's fields
- Delete apps
- See all configured apps in one place (global, not per-board)

---

## Key Takeaways

- Apps are global objects reused across boards — configure once, place anywhere
- The **Ping URL** field is the primary tool for split internal/external routing
- Icon sources: remote URL, bundled icon repo, or local upload — no hard dependency on external CDNs
- Apps surface in both the **bookmark widget** (link list) and **app widget** (icon grid with status dot)
- Deletion from the management page removes the app from all boards

---

## Related

- [[wiki/homelab/homarr-api|Homarr API — Programmatic Dashboard Management]]
- [[wiki/homelab/home-server-101|Home Server 101 — The Beginner's Guide to Self-Hosting]]
- [[wiki/homelab/bigibz1-homelab-hardware|bigibz1 Homelab Hardware Reference]]

---

## Sources

- `raw/Homarr documentation 1.md` — official Homarr docs, Apps section, v1.59.2
