Elementary OS‘s Pantheon desktop surroundings may be very polished, and in consequence, has been gaining some severe traction within the Linux neighborhood. Due to these positive factors, positivity surrounding the mission continues to develop.
Suffice it to say, there are numerous nice issues to say about Elementary OS, and it’s desktop surroundings, however, it additionally has its share of issues. Considered one of it’s most evident points is its quick launcher, and the way it doesn’t work very nicely out of the field. On this information, we’ll present you the way to improve Elementary OS’s quick launcher.
Earlier than we start
On this information, we’ll be specializing in Juno, the most recent model of the Elementary OS working system. Although this new launch has been out for quite a lot of months, it’s nonetheless price saying: you have to improve from Loki to Juno, as this information doesn’t give attention to older releases.
Updating to the brand new model of Elementary OS isn’t difficult in any respect. Simply go to the web site, again up your stuff, obtain the most recent launch, and set up it just like the final Elementary OS model. Alternatively, if you happen to favor to do an in-place improve, try our article all about how to improve from Loki to Juno.
Change quick launcher hotkey
On Elementary OS Juno, the desktop’s quick-launcher doesn’t comply with each different Linux desktop surroundings, and the way they do issues by permitting customers to launch the menu by merely urgent the Home windows key (AKA super-key) on the keyboard. As a substitute, customers are instructed to press Win + Spacebar to entry the search function, and urgent Win reveals a listing of keyboard shortcuts for the desktop.
Although it doesn’t look like a lot of an enormous deal on the floor, not permitting customers to use the Win key to seek for issues ruins some muscle reminiscence that Linux customers have constructed up, contemplating everybody from Cinnamon, to Gnome, and even KDE Plasma do it this fashion. Fortunately, it’s attainable to repair this shortcut, so you may faucet Win to search.
Altering the hotkey is finished by way of the terminal, so open up a terminal window in your Elementary OS PC with Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T. Then, paste the next instructions in.
gsettings set org.gnome.mutter overlay-key "'Super_L'" gsettings set org.pantheon.desktop.gala.habits overlay-action "'wingpanel --toggle-indicator=app-launcher'"
Present utility classes
One other factor you are able to do to improve the Elementary OS quick launcher is to change the default view of the quick launcher in order that it reveals app classes, slightly than an enormous window with icons and no app sorting. To vary the quick launcher view, begin by urgent Win on the keyboard to reveal it. Or, click on “Applications” with the mouse.
Contained in the app launcher on the Elementary OS desktop, search for the search field. Subsequent to it are two icons: “grid view” and “category view.” By default, the launcher shows all the things in “category view,” and it’s not nice. To modify to the higher, extra organized class view, click on the class icon, and your quick launcher will kind apps by class.
Quick launcher tweaks in Elementary Tweaks
Except for enhancing the quick launcher by way of generic settings, you may improve the launcher by way of the unofficial Elementary Tweaks utility. Although, be warned: the builders of Elementary OS don’t help this software and don’t suppose it’s a good suggestion. So, set up and use at your personal threat!
Set up Elementary Tweaks
The Elementary Tweaks app is distributed by way of a software program PPA. Nonetheless, by default, Elementary OS has no means of including software program PPAs. So, earlier than putting in Elementary Tweaks, set up the “software-properties-common” bundle.
sudo apt set up software-properties-common -y
Following “software-properties-common,” add the brand new PPA to your Elementary OS PC.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:philip.scott/elementary-tweaks
You’ll then give you the chance to set up Elementary Tweaks with the apt set up command under.
sudo apt set up elementary-tweaks
Alternatively, if the PPA isn’t working, the supply code can be on the web. To get entry to the supply code, click the link here to go to it on GitHub, the place you may learn the way to construct it.
Quick launch settings
With the Elementary Tweaks software put in in your Juno system, press Win to open up the app launcher, seek for “Tweaks” and open it to go straight to the Elementary Tweaks app.
As soon as inside Elementary Tweaks, there are numerous totally different classes which you’ll be able to choose and customise. Look by way of the classes for “Launcher” and choose it.
Inside the “Launcher” space, you’ll give you the chance to modify the variety of apps proven per row (the default is 3,) or customise how columns are proven within the menu. It’s additionally attainable to set Elementary OS’s quick launcher to present class mode by default.
