How to set a manual snap alias

A manual snap alias exposes a snap application under another command name on the local system. It is useful when a script, habit, or local runbook expects a shorter or older command name, but the snap exposes the app under a different name.

Aliases are created under /snap/bin and are managed by snapd, not by shell-only aliases in a user's startup file. A manual alias affects users who can reach /snap/bin, while the original snap command remains available.

A completed alias should appear in snap aliases <snap> with the manual note and should run the expected snap app. Remove manual aliases when they are no longer needed so command names stay predictable.

1. List the applications exposed by the snap.

   $ snap apps vlc
   App  Version  Notes
   vlc  3.0.20   -

2. Check the current aliases.

   $ snap aliases vlc
   Command  Alias  Notes
   vlc      -      -

3. Create the manual alias.

   $ sudo snap alias vlc my-vlc
   Added:
     - vlc as my-vlc

4. Confirm that snapd recorded the alias.

   $ snap aliases vlc
   Command  Alias   Notes
   vlc      my-vlc  manual

5. Run the command through the alias.

   $ my-vlc --version
   VLC media player 3.0.20 Vetinari

6. Remove the alias when it is no longer required.

   $ sudo snap unalias my-vlc
   Removed:
     - vlc as my-vlc