Surely cleaning up all this mess wont break anything. surely

.gitignore

@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ __pycache__
 
 !assets/*.png
 !.pre-commit-config.yaml
-!prompt.txt
+!data/prompt.txt
-!vocab_base.txt
+!data/vocab_base.txt
 !requirements.txt
 !util/tl_inspector/TLInspector.js
 !util/forge/Forge_MZ.js

.pre-commit-config.yaml

@@ -3,6 +3,6 @@
   'hooks':
   - 'id': 'set-defaults'
     'name': 'Set Defaults in rpgmakermvmz.py'
-    'entry': 'python set_defaults.py'
+    'entry': 'python -m util.defaults'
     'language': 'python'
     'files': '^modules/rpgmakermvmz.py$'

DazedMTLTool.desktop

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+[Desktop Entry]
+Type=Application
+Name=DazedMTLTool
+GenericName=Translation Tool
+Comment=AI translation tool for visual novels and RPG games
+Exec=bash -c 'exec "$(cd "$(dirname "%k")" && pwd)/scripts/launch.sh"'
+Icon=%k/assets/icon.png
+Terminal=false
+Categories=Development;Utility;
+StartupWMClass=DazedMTLTool

README.md

@@ -124,12 +124,11 @@ This means Python wasn't added to your PATH. You have two options:
 
 ### 3. Launch the GUI
 
-**Double-click `START.bat`**. It will:
+**Windows:** Double-click `START.bat`. It will create a virtual environment, install dependencies, and open the GUI.
-- Create a virtual environment automatically.
-- Install all dependencies.
-- Launch the GUI.
 
-That's it! From now on, just double-click `START.bat` to open the tool.
+**Linux/macOS:** Run `./START.sh`, or double-click `DazedMTLTool.desktop` (choose **Allow Launching** when your file manager asks). From then on, either method works.
+
+That's it! Use the same launcher each time you want to open the tool.
 
 ---
 
@@ -160,10 +159,10 @@ Specialized tabs with extra options for those specific engines.
 
 ## Vocab & Prompt
 
-### vocab.txt
+### data/vocab.txt
 This file gives the AI context about your game — character names, genders, recurring terms, etc. The better your vocab file, the more consistent the translation.
 
-Open `vocab.txt` (or copy `vocab.txt.example` to `vocab.txt` if it doesn't exist) and add entries like:
+On first run, `data/vocab.txt` is created automatically from `data/vocab_base.txt` if it does not exist yet. Add entries like:
 
 ```plaintext
 # Game Characters
@@ -176,14 +175,14 @@ Format: Japanese name, English name in parentheses, then gender.
 
 > **Note:** A very large vocab file can increase API costs and potentially reduce quality. Focus on the most important characters and terms.
 
-### prompt.txt
+### data/prompt.txt
-This is the system prompt sent to the AI. A default `prompt.txt` is included and works well for most games. You generally don't need to edit it unless you want to customize the translation style.
+This is the system prompt sent to the AI. A default `data/prompt.txt` is included and works well for most games. You generally don't need to edit it unless you want to customize the translation style.
 
 ---
 
 ## Tips
 
-- **Check `log/translations.txt`** after a run to see what was translated. You can copy useful terms from it into `vocab.txt` for consistency in future runs.
+- **Check `log/translations.txt`** after a run to see what was translated. You can copy useful terms from it into `data/vocab.txt` for consistency in future runs.
 - **Start small** — Translate a few files first to make sure the output looks good before doing the whole game.
 - **Wordwrap** — If text overflows or looks awkward in-game, adjust the `width` setting in `.env` or the Config tab. `60` is a good default for most RPG Maker games.
 - **Version control** — Using [Git](https://git-scm.com/) with the game folder is highly recommended. It lets you track every change the translation makes, compare with original files, and roll back if needed.
@@ -300,8 +299,8 @@ Here's the recommended step-by-step process for translating an RPG Maker MV/MZ g
 
 | Step | Action |
 |------|--------|
-| **1** | **Parse speakers → vocab.txt** — Use the Parse Speakers feature to pull character names from the game files into `vocab.txt`. |
+| **1** | **Parse speakers → vocab** — Use the Parse Speakers feature to pull character names from the game files into `data/vocab.txt`. |
-| **2** | **Identify speaker genders** — Figure out which characters are male/female and update `vocab.txt` accordingly. This helps the AI use correct pronouns. |
+| **2** | **Identify speaker genders** — Figure out which characters are male/female and update `data/vocab.txt` accordingly. This helps the AI use correct pronouns. |
 | **3** | **Translate Actors.json, MapInfos.json** — These are small files with character and map names. Good to do first. |
 | **4** | **Translate Items, System, Weapons, etc.** — All the data files that aren't maps or events. Place them in `files/`, translate, then copy results back. |
 | **5** | **Find speaker names** — Enable CODE 101 (Speakers), check for bracketed names, or use the "First Line = Speaker" option to capture speaker names properly. |

START.bat

@@ -184,28 +184,29 @@ echo    Launching DazedMTLTool GUI...
 echo ==========================================
 echo.
 
-:: Ensure vocab.txt exists (create from example if available)
+:: Ensure data/vocab.txt exists (create from vocab_base.txt if available)
-if not exist "vocab.txt" (
+if not exist "data\\vocab.txt" (
-    if exist "vocab.txt.example" (
+    if not exist "data" mkdir data
-        echo vocab.txt not found - creating from vocab.txt.example...
+    if exist "data\\vocab_base.txt" (
-        copy /Y "vocab.txt.example" "vocab.txt" >nul 2>&1
+        echo data\vocab.txt not found - creating from data\vocab_base.txt...
+        copy /Y "data\vocab_base.txt" "data\vocab.txt" >nul 2>&1
         if errorlevel 1 (
-            echo ERROR: Failed to copy vocab.txt.example to vocab.txt.
+            echo ERROR: Failed to copy data\vocab_base.txt to data\vocab.txt.
         ) else (
-            echo Created vocab.txt from vocab.txt.example
+            echo Created data\vocab.txt from data\vocab_base.txt
         )
     ) else (
-        echo vocab.txt and vocab.txt.example not found - creating empty vocab.txt to avoid import errors...
+        echo data\vocab.txt not found - creating empty file to avoid import errors...
-        type NUL > "vocab.txt"
+        type NUL > "data\vocab.txt"
         if errorlevel 1 (
-            echo ERROR: Failed to create empty vocab.txt.
+            echo ERROR: Failed to create empty data\vocab.txt.
         ) else (
-            echo Created empty vocab.txt
+            echo Created empty data\vocab.txt
         )
     )
 )
 
-python start_gui.py
+python scripts/start_gui.py
 
 :: Check if GUI launched successfully
 if errorlevel 1 (

START.sh

@@ -127,23 +127,24 @@ activate_venv() {
 }
 
 ensure_vocab_file() {
-    if [[ -f "vocab.txt" ]]; then
+    mkdir -p data
+    if [[ -f "data/vocab.txt" ]]; then
         return 0
     fi
 
-    if [[ -f "vocab.txt.example" ]]; then
+    if [[ -f "data/vocab_base.txt" ]]; then
-        echo "vocab.txt not found - creating from vocab.txt.example..."
+        echo "data/vocab.txt not found - creating from data/vocab_base.txt..."
-        if cp "vocab.txt.example" "vocab.txt"; then
+        if cp "data/vocab_base.txt" "data/vocab.txt"; then
-            echo "Created vocab.txt from vocab.txt.example"
+            echo "Created data/vocab.txt from data/vocab_base.txt"
         else
-            echo "ERROR: Failed to copy vocab.txt.example to vocab.txt."
+            echo "ERROR: Failed to copy data/vocab_base.txt to data/vocab.txt."
         fi
     else
-        echo "vocab.txt and vocab.txt.example not found - creating empty vocab.txt to avoid import errors..."
+        echo "data/vocab.txt not found - creating empty file to avoid import errors..."
-        if : > "vocab.txt"; then
+        if : > "data/vocab.txt"; then
-            echo "Created empty vocab.txt"
+            echo "Created empty data/vocab.txt"
         else
-            echo "ERROR: Failed to create empty vocab.txt."
+            echo "ERROR: Failed to create empty data/vocab.txt."
         fi
     fi
 }
@@ -227,7 +228,7 @@ echo
 
 ensure_vocab_file
 
-if ! python start_gui.py; then
+if ! exec python "$SCRIPT_DIR/scripts/start_gui.py"; then
     echo
     echo "ERROR: Failed to launch GUI."
     echo "Check the error messages above."

gui/main.py

@@ -19,20 +19,16 @@ from PyQt5.QtWidgets import (
     QTextEdit, QSplitter, QGroupBox, QStatusBar, QStackedWidget, QToolButton,
     QDialog
 )
-from PyQt5.QtCore import Qt, QThread, pyqtSignal, QTimer, QSettings
+from PyQt5.QtCore import Qt, QThread, pyqtSignal, QTimer, QSettings, QCoreApplication
-from PyQt5.QtGui import QIcon, QFont, QPixmap, QScreen
+from PyQt5.QtGui import QIcon, QFont, QPixmap, QScreen, QGuiApplication
 
 
-def _project_root() -> Path:
+from util.paths import PROJECT_ROOT, ICON_PATH, LAST_UPDATE_SHA_PATH
-    """Directory containing start_gui.py / requirements.txt (parent of gui/)."""
-    return Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
 
 
 def load_application_icon() -> QIcon:
     """Prefer ICO on Windows; PNG is fine for all platforms. Empty if missing."""
-    root = _project_root()
+    for path in (PROJECT_ROOT / "assets/icon.ico", ICON_PATH):
-    for rel in ("assets/icon.ico", "assets/icon.png"):
-        path = root / rel
         if path.is_file():
             icon = QIcon(str(path))
             if not icon.isNull():
@@ -126,14 +122,13 @@ class UpdateThread(QThread):
     REPO_USER   = "DazedAnon"
     REPO_NAME   = "DazedMTLTool"
     REPO_BRANCH = "main"
-    SHA_FILE    = "last_update_sha.txt"
+    SHA_FILE    = str(LAST_UPDATE_SHA_PATH)
 
     # Paths (relative, top-level) that should never be touched during update
-    PROTECTED = {".env", "venv", "log", "files", "translated",
+    PROTECTED = {".env", "venv", "log", "files", "translated", "data"}
-                 "vocab.txt", "last_update_sha.txt"}
 
     # GitLab zip archives do not preserve Unix execute bits; restore after apply.
-    EXECUTABLE_SUFFIXES = {".sh"}
+    EXECUTABLE_SUFFIXES = {".sh", ".desktop"}
 
     progress  = pyqtSignal(str)           # status message
     finished  = pyqtSignal(bool, str)     # (success, message)
@@ -903,6 +898,14 @@ def main():
         if hasattr(QApplication, 'setHighDpiScaleFactorRoundingPolicy'):
             QApplication.setHighDpiScaleFactorRoundingPolicy(Qt.HighDpiScaleFactorRoundingPolicy.PassThrough)
 
+        if sys.platform.startswith("linux"):
+            from util.linux_desktop import ensure_linux_desktop_entry
+            ensure_linux_desktop_entry()
+            QGuiApplication.setDesktopFileName("DazedMTLTool")
+
+        QCoreApplication.setOrganizationName("DazedTranslations")
+        QCoreApplication.setApplicationName("DazedMTLTool")
+        
         app = QApplication(sys.argv)
 
         # Windows taskbar groups by executable (python.exe) unless we set an explicit
@@ -934,9 +937,7 @@ def main():
         return 1
     
     # Set application properties
-    app.setApplicationName("DazedMTLTool")
     app.setApplicationVersion("1.0")
-    app.setOrganizationName("DazedTranslations")
     
     # Apply dark theme with cleaner, more compact styling
     app.setStyleSheet("""

gui/rpgmaker_tab.py

@@ -19,8 +19,7 @@ except ImportError:
     ConfigIntegration = None
 try:
     # Prefer importing the project's canonical defaults if available
-    import set_defaults
+    from util.defaults import DEFAULTS as CANONICAL_DEFAULTS
-    CANONICAL_DEFAULTS = getattr(set_defaults, 'DEFAULTS', None)
 except Exception:
     CANONICAL_DEFAULTS = None
 

gui/srpg_tab.py

@@ -12,8 +12,7 @@ import re
 from gui.platform_glyph import platform_glyph
 
 try:
-    import set_defaults
+    from util.defaults import DEFAULTS as CANONICAL_DEFAULTS
-    CANONICAL_DEFAULTS = getattr(set_defaults, 'DEFAULTS', None)
 except Exception:
     CANONICAL_DEFAULTS = None
 

gui/wolf_tab.py

@@ -11,8 +11,7 @@ from PyQt5.QtCore import pyqtSignal
 import re
 from gui.platform_glyph import platform_glyph
 try:
-    import set_defaults
+    from util.defaults import DEFAULTS as CANONICAL_DEFAULTS
-    CANONICAL_DEFAULTS = getattr(set_defaults, 'DEFAULTS', None)
 except Exception:
     CANONICAL_DEFAULTS = None
 

gui/workflow_tab.py

@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ import sys
 import threading
 from pathlib import Path
 
+from util.paths import VOCAB_BASE_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
+
 import jsbeautifier
 
 from PyQt5.QtCore import Qt, QEvent, QSettings, QThread, QTimer, pyqtSignal
@@ -3576,7 +3578,7 @@ class WorkflowTab(QWidget):
 
     def _read_vocab_speakers(self) -> list[tuple[str, str]]:
         """Parse the '# Speakers' section from vocab.txt and return (orig, tl) pairs."""
-        vocab_path = Path("vocab.txt")
+        vocab_path = VOCAB_PATH
         if not vocab_path.exists():
             return []
         try:
@@ -3606,7 +3608,7 @@ class WorkflowTab(QWidget):
         return results
 
     def _reload_vocab(self):
-        vocab_path = Path("vocab.txt")
+        vocab_path = VOCAB_PATH
         try:
             if vocab_path.exists():
                 text = vocab_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
@@ -3623,10 +3625,10 @@ class WorkflowTab(QWidget):
     def _save_vocab(self):
         try:
             game_text = self.vocab_editor.toPlainText().rstrip("\n")
-            base_path = Path("vocab_base.txt")
+            base_path = VOCAB_BASE_PATH
             base_text = base_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8") if base_path.exists() else ""
             combined = game_text + "\n\n" + self._BASE_SEPARATOR + base_text
-            Path("vocab.txt").write_text(combined, encoding="utf-8")
+            VOCAB_PATH.write_text(combined, encoding="utf-8")
             self._log("✅ vocab.txt saved (base terms from vocab_base.txt appended).")
         except Exception as exc:
             self._log(f"❌ Could not save vocab.txt: {exc}")
@@ -3795,7 +3797,7 @@ class WorkflowTab(QWidget):
             self._log("⚠  No game folder set. Complete Step 0 first.")
             return
 
-        src = Path("vocab.txt")
+        src = VOCAB_PATH
         if not src.exists():
             self._log("⚠  vocab.txt not found — save it in Step 3 first.")
             return

modules/aquedi4.py

@@ -22,8 +22,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 ESTIMATE = ""
 TOKENS = [0, 0]

modules/csv.py

@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/images.py

@@ -18,8 +18,10 @@ from util.translation import TranslationConfig, translateAI as sharedtranslateAI
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 PBAR = None
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))

modules/json.py

@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/kirikiri.py

@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/lune.py

@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/main.py

@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ from dotenv import load_dotenv
 # This needs to be before the module imports as some of them currently try to read and use some of these values
 # upon import, in which case if they are unset the script will crash before we can output these messages.
 load_dotenv()
+from util.paths import migrate_root_data_files, ensure_vocab_file
+
+migrate_root_data_files()
+ensure_vocab_file()
 _missing_envs = [
     env for env in [
         "api",

modules/nscript.py

@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/regex.py

@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/renpy.py

@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/rpgmakermvmz.py

@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@ from util.translation import TranslationConfig, translateAI as sharedtranslateAI
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 THREAD_CTX = threading.local()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
@@ -803,7 +805,7 @@ def update_vocab_section(category: str, pairs: list[tuple[str, str]]):
     The existing section is replaced entirely; other sections are preserved.
     """
     try:
-        vocab_path = Path("vocab.txt")
+        vocab_path = VOCAB_PATH
 
         # Helper: normalized comparison to detect no-op translations
         def _norm(s: str) -> str:
@@ -5071,7 +5073,7 @@ def finalizeSpeakerParse():
                         _speakerCache[orig] = norm
                         NAMESLIST.append([orig, norm])
 
-        vocab_path = Path("vocab.txt")
+        vocab_path = VOCAB_PATH
         if not vocab_path.exists():
             return
         content = vocab_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")

modules/rpgmakerplugin.py

@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/srpg.py

@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@ from util.translation import TranslationConfig, translateAI as sharedtranslateAI
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 VOCAB_LOCK = threading.Lock()  # Dedicated lock for vocab.txt updates
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
@@ -118,7 +120,7 @@ def update_vocab_section(category: str, pairs: list[tuple[str, str]]):
     The existing section is replaced entirely; other sections are preserved.
     """
     try:
-        vocab_path = Path("vocab.txt")
+        vocab_path = VOCAB_PATH
 
         # Helper: normalized comparison to detect no-op translations
         def _norm(s: str) -> str:

modules/text.py

@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/tyrano.py

@@ -21,8 +21,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/unity.py

@@ -21,8 +21,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/wolf.py

@@ -21,8 +21,10 @@ from util.translation import TranslationConfig, translateAI as sharedtranslateAI
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/wolf2.py

@@ -22,8 +22,10 @@ import tempfile
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 TIMEOUT = int(os.getenv("timeout"))
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 LISTWIDTH = int(os.getenv("listWidth"))

modules/yuris.py

@@ -21,8 +21,10 @@ from util.translation import (
 
 MODEL = os.getenv("model")
 LANGUAGE = os.getenv("language").capitalize()
-PROMPT = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
-VOCAB = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+PROMPT = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+VOCAB = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 WIDTH = int(os.getenv("width"))
 MAXHISTORY = 10

scripts/launch.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Launcher for DazedMTLTool.desktop (finds venv, then starts the GUI).
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/.." && pwd)"
+cd "$ROOT" || exit 1
+
+PYTHON="python3"
+if [[ -x "$ROOT/.venv/bin/python" ]]; then
+    PYTHON="$ROOT/.venv/bin/python"
+elif [[ -x "$ROOT/venv/bin/python" ]]; then
+    PYTHON="$ROOT/venv/bin/python"
+fi
+
+exec "$PYTHON" "$ROOT/scripts/start_gui.py"

scripts/start_gui.py

@@ -1,27 +1,24 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
-"""
+"""Launch script for DazedMTLTool GUI."""
-Launch script for DazedMTLTool GUI
-"""
 
 import sys
-import os
 from pathlib import Path
 
-# Add the project root to Python path
+PROJECT_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
-project_root = Path(__file__).parent
+sys.path.insert(0, str(PROJECT_ROOT))
-sys.path.insert(0, str(project_root))
+
 
 def check_dependencies():
     """Check if required dependencies are installed."""
     missing_deps = []
 
     try:
-        import PyQt5
+        import PyQt5  # noqa: F401
     except ImportError:
         missing_deps.append("PyQt5")
 
     try:
-        from dotenv import load_dotenv
+        from dotenv import load_dotenv  # noqa: F401
     except ImportError:
         missing_deps.append("python-dotenv")
 
@@ -30,17 +27,22 @@ def check_dependencies():
         for dep in missing_deps:
             print(f"  - {dep}")
         print("\nPlease install them using:")
-        print("  pip install -r requirements_gui.txt")
+        print("  pip install -r requirements.txt")
         return False
 
     return True
 
+
 def main():
     """Main entry point."""
     print("DazedMTLTool GUI Launcher")
     print("=" * 40)
 
-    # Check dependencies
+    from util.paths import ensure_vocab_file, migrate_root_data_files
+
+    migrate_root_data_files()
+    ensure_vocab_file()
+
     if not check_dependencies():
         sys.exit(1)
 
@@ -56,7 +58,6 @@ def main():
     except Exception as exc:
         print(f"Warning: Forge plugin setup failed ({exc}). Playtest Forge may be unavailable.")
 
-    # Import and run GUI
     try:
         from gui.main import main as gui_main
         gui_main()
@@ -68,5 +69,6 @@ def main():
         print(f"Error starting GUI: {e}")
         sys.exit(1)
 
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     main()

util/defaults.py

@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 import re
 from copy import deepcopy
 
-# Canonical defaults used by the GUI and the `set_defaults` script.
+from util.paths import PROJECT_ROOT
+
+# Canonical defaults used by the GUI and the pre-commit hook.
 # Stored as booleans for easier consumption by the GUI.
 DEFAULTS = {
     'FIRSTLINESPEAKERS': False,
@@ -56,4 +58,4 @@ def set_defaults(file_path):
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    set_defaults('modules/rpgmakermvmz.py')
+    set_defaults(PROJECT_ROOT / "modules/rpgmakermvmz.py")

util/linux_desktop.py

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+"""Install/update the Linux .desktop entry for taskbar and window icons."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import subprocess
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from util.paths import ICON_PATH, PROJECT_ROOT
+
+DESKTOP_ID = "DazedMTLTool"
+LAUNCH_SCRIPT = PROJECT_ROOT / "scripts" / "launch.sh"
+
+
+def installed_desktop_path() -> Path:
+    data_home = os.environ.get("XDG_DATA_HOME", "")
+    if data_home:
+        base = Path(data_home)
+    else:
+        base = Path.home() / ".local" / "share"
+    return base / "applications" / f"{DESKTOP_ID}.desktop"
+
+
+def _desktop_content(root: Path, icon: Path, launch: Path) -> str:
+    return (
+        "[Desktop Entry]\n"
+        "Type=Application\n"
+        f"Name={DESKTOP_ID}\n"
+        "GenericName=Translation Tool\n"
+        "Comment=AI translation tool for visual novels and RPG games\n"
+        f"Exec={launch}\n"
+        f"Icon={icon}\n"
+        f"Path={root}\n"
+        "Terminal=false\n"
+        "Categories=Development;Utility;\n"
+        f"StartupWMClass={DESKTOP_ID}\n"
+    )
+
+
+def ensure_linux_desktop_entry() -> None:
+    """Write ~/.local/share/applications/DazedMTLTool.desktop with absolute paths."""
+    if not sys.platform.startswith("linux"):
+        return
+    if not LAUNCH_SCRIPT.is_file() or not ICON_PATH.is_file():
+        return
+
+    desktop_path = installed_desktop_path()
+    content = _desktop_content(PROJECT_ROOT, ICON_PATH, LAUNCH_SCRIPT)
+
+    try:
+        if desktop_path.is_file() and desktop_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8") == content:
+            return
+        desktop_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        desktop_path.write_text(content, encoding="utf-8")
+        desktop_path.chmod(0o755)
+    except OSError as exc:
+        print(f"Warning: could not install Linux desktop entry ({exc})")
+        return
+
+    _refresh_desktop_database(desktop_path.parent)
+
+
+def _refresh_desktop_database(applications_dir: Path) -> None:
+    for cmd in (
+        ["update-desktop-database", str(applications_dir)],
+        ["kbuildsycoca5", "--noincremental"],
+    ):
+        try:
+            subprocess.run(cmd, check=False, stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL)
+        except OSError:
+            pass

util/paths.py

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+"""Canonical project paths (repo root, data files, config)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from pathlib import Path
+
+PROJECT_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
+DATA_DIR = PROJECT_ROOT / "data"
+VOCAB_PATH = DATA_DIR / "vocab.txt"
+VOCAB_BASE_PATH = DATA_DIR / "vocab_base.txt"
+PROMPT_PATH = DATA_DIR / "prompt.txt"
+LAST_UPDATE_SHA_PATH = DATA_DIR / "last_update_sha.txt"
+ENV_PATH = PROJECT_ROOT / ".env"
+ICON_PATH = PROJECT_ROOT / "assets" / "icon.png"
+
+_ROOT_DATA_FILES = (
+    "vocab.txt",
+    "vocab_base.txt",
+    "prompt.txt",
+    "last_update_sha.txt",
+)
+
+
+def migrate_root_data_files() -> None:
+    """Move legacy root-level data files into data/ on first run."""
+    DATA_DIR.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    for name in _ROOT_DATA_FILES:
+        src = PROJECT_ROOT / name
+        dst = DATA_DIR / name
+        if src.is_file() and not dst.exists():
+            src.rename(dst)
+
+
+migrate_root_data_files()
+
+
+def ensure_vocab_file() -> None:
+    """Create data/vocab.txt from vocab_base.txt when missing."""
+    migrate_root_data_files()
+    if VOCAB_PATH.is_file():
+        return
+    if VOCAB_BASE_PATH.is_file():
+        VOCAB_PATH.write_text(VOCAB_BASE_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8"), encoding="utf-8")
+    else:
+        VOCAB_PATH.write_text("", encoding="utf-8")

util/translation.py

@@ -1316,7 +1316,8 @@ class TranslationConfig:
         # Load prompt and vocab files if not provided
         if prompt is None:
             try:
-                self.prompt = Path("prompt.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+                from util.paths import PROMPT_PATH, VOCAB_PATH
+                self.prompt = PROMPT_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
             except FileNotFoundError:
                 self.prompt = ""
         else:
@@ -1324,7 +1325,7 @@ class TranslationConfig:
             
         if vocab is None:
             try:
-                self.vocab = Path("vocab.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+                self.vocab = VOCAB_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
             except FileNotFoundError:
                 self.vocab = ""
         else: