GNOME Shell extensions allow customizing the default GNOME Shell interface and its parts, such as window management and application launching.
Each GNOME Shell extension is identified by a unique identifier, the uuid. The uuid is also used for the name of the directory where an extension is installed. You can either install the extension per-user in ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/<uuid>, or machine-wide in /usr/share/gnome-shell/extensions/<uuid>.
To view installed extensions, you can use Looking Glass, GNOME Shell’s integrated debugger and inspector tool.
View installed extensions
Press Alt+F2, type in lg and press Enter to open Looking Glass.
On the top bar of Looking Glass, click Extensions to open the list of installed extensions.
FAQs
A GNOME Shell Extension is basically a tiny piece of code that enhances the capability of the GNOME desktop. Think of it as an add-on in your browser. Just as a browser add-on adds additional features to the browser, the GNOME extension adds additional features to the GNOME desktop environment.
Where are GNOME Shell extensions? ›
Extensions can either be local or system-wide. Local extensions are ones installed by each user in their home directories ( ~/. local/share/gnome-shell/extensions ), whereas system-wide extensions are installed by administrators in system directories ( /usr/share/gnome-shell/extensions/ ).
Are GNOME Shell extensions safe? ›
Are GNOME Shell Extensions safe? The code in a GNOME Shell extension becomes part of the core operating system. For this reason, the potential exists for an extension to cause system misbehavior, crashes, or even to have malicious behavior like spying on the user or displaying unwanted advertisem*nts.
What is the GNOME Shell? ›
GNOME Shell is the graphical shell of the GNOME desktop environment starting with version 3, which was released on April 6, 2011. It provides basic functions like launching applications and switching between windows, and is also a widget engine. GNOME Shell replaced GNOME Panel and some ancillary components of GNOME 2.
Is GNOME Shell necessary? ›
Mostly useless. You need other things to actually do anything - and GNOME Shell coordinates and handles the access of those things while you're using them.
What is the purpose of GNOME? ›
There are 25 million garden gnomes in Germany today. Originally, gnomes were thought to provide protection, especially of buried treasure and minerals in the ground. They are still used today to watch over crops and livestock, often tucked into the corners of a barn or hidden in the garden.
What language is used in GNOME Shell Extensions? ›
GNOME Shell and extensions are written in GJS, which is JavaScript bindings for GNOME Platform APIs. For an overview of how extensions fit into GNOME Shell and the platform, see the Architecture page.
Why are GNOME extensions not working? ›
Maybe there was an incompatible extension causing a crash, which then lead to extensions getting disabled. You can revert this by first re-enabling the version validation gsettings reset org. gnome. shell disable-extension-version-validation and then enabling extensions again gsettings reset org.
How do I delete GNOME extensions? ›
In https://extensions.gnome.org, navigate under Installed extensions , where there is an X button next to each extension that uninstalls it.
Am I using GNOME Shell? ›
You can determine the version of GNOME that is running on your system by going to the About panel in Settings.
- Open the Activities overview and start typing About.
- A window appears showing information about your system, including your distribution's name and the GNOME version.
Gnome Shell is the graphical shell of the Gnome desktop environment, holding that title since version 3. Gnome Shell departs from the traditional desktop, featuring a "Activities Overview" from where users can manage windows, workspaces, and launch apps. Its functionality can be expanded by installing Extensions.
What are shell extensions? ›
In subject area: Computer Science. A Shell Extension is a type of software component that provides additional functionality to the Windows Explorer shell beyond its basic features.
What is GNOME used for? ›
What is GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment)? GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment) is a graphical user interface (GUI) and set of computer desktop applications for Linux operating system (OS) users. It's intended to make a Linux OS easy to use for nonprogrammers.
What is the default GNOME Shell? ›
GNOME Classic is the default GNOME Shell mode in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7. It changes some of the aspects of GNOME Shell behavior as well as the GNOME Shell appearance. That includes the bottom bar with the window list, and the Applications and Places menus on the top bar.
What is the function of GNOME? ›
The current model proposes that GNOM is specifically involved in the endosomal recycling of the auxin-efflux carrier PIN1 to the basal plasma membrane in provascular cells, which in turn is required for the accumulation of the plant hormone auxin at the future root pole through polar auxin transport.
Why should I use GNOME? ›
Gnome is also opinionated, and that makes for a more consistent experience, both within a single desktop setup and across different setups – the latter making it easy to use a Gnome desktop in its default configuration on a new machine or one set up by another user.
What is the purpose of GNOME Linux? ›
GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment) is a graphical user interface (GUI) and set of computer desktop applications for Linux operating system (OS) users. It's intended to make a Linux OS easy to use for nonprogrammers.
What is the difference between GNOME desktop and GNOME Shell? ›
Gnome Shell is the graphical shell of the Gnome desktop environment, holding that title since version 3. Gnome Shell departs from the traditional desktop, featuring a "Activities Overview" from where users can manage windows, workspaces, and launch apps. Its functionality can be expanded by installing Extensions.