This quick tutorial is going to show beginners how to install and manage Gnome Shell Extensions in Ubuntu 17.10 while it uses Gnome Shell as default desktop environment.
Gnome Shell Extensions are small pieces of code written by third party developers. If you are familiar with Chrome Extensions or Firefox Addons, GNOME Shell extensions are similar to them.
How to Install Gnome Shell Extensions
Gnome maintains a website, extensions.gnome.org, for users to install or upgrade extensions. All extensions there are carefully reviewed for malicious behavior before they are made available for download.
To be able to install Gnome Shell Extensions in Ubuntu 17.10, do following steps:
1. Install add-on for your web browser:
- For Google Chrome, Chromium, and Vivaldi, install an add-on via chrome web store.
- For Firefox, install add-on from Mozilla Addons site.
- For Opera, install it from Opera Addons site.
2. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T, or by searching “terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run command:
sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell
Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.
3. Finally go to extensions.gnome.org via your browser, install any Gnome Shell Extension by turning on the switch on the web.
Manage Gnome Shell Extensions
Gnome Tweak Tool has an page for managing installed Gnome Shell Extensions.
Search for and install ‘Gnome Tweaks’ in Ubuntu Software app:
Then launch it and manage installed Gnome Shell Extensions in “Extensions” tab.
