Why Gnome?

Gnome is clean and highly functional (though it follows quite a strict and somewhat stubborn philosophy). The Gnome workflow may be quite different compared what you are used to, but once you have gotten the hang of it, you may just fall in love.

Read over this guide to customize Gnome to your liking!

CHECK THIS OUT!

Do you want to check out more extensions, settings, and tips to make more out of the Gnome Desktop? aier's has your back:

aier's Gnome

You may have been looking for:

Linux Guides Homepage to see more distros and desktop environments.

First steps

Go through the Settings app and make some quick tweaks to your needs.

• Display — Adjust refresh rate and resolution as needed.
• Power — Change performance mode, show battery %, change suspend behavior, and more.
• Multitasking — Adjust according to your workflow.
• Appearance — You can add your own wallpaper and change to dark mode.
• Online Accounts — You can connect to your online accounts to access calendar, cloud drives, and more within Gnome apps.
• Mouse & Trackpad — You can change pointer sensitivity and turn acceleration on/off.
• Keyboard — Add and modify keyboard shortcuts and change keyboard input settings.

Install some apps for more advanced options

You can always use your distro's GUI software store (such as Gnome's Software instead of the terminal).

Install these apps if you wish to unlock settings changes that are not easily accessible with the stock Settings app.

Gnome Tweaks

Fedora

sudo dnf install gnome-tweaks

Arch

sudo pacman -S gnome-tweaks

Debian/Ubuntu

sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

More details...

Dconf Editor

Fedora

sudo dnf install dconf-editor

Arch

sudo pacman -S dconf-editor

Debian/Ubuntu

sudo apt install dconf-editor

More details...

Extension Manager

Flatpak (System)

flatpak install flathub com.mattjakeman.ExtensionManager

Flatpak (User)

flatpak install --user flathub com.mattjakeman.ExtensionManager

More details...

Basics

All settings in Gnome Tweaks can be made through Dconf Editor (which you have downloaded), dconf (cli), or gsettings (cli).

Quick append

Append changes (cli)

dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/preferences/button-layout "':minimize,maximize,close'"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/sound/allow-volume-above-100-percent "true"

Reset changes (cli)

dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/preferences/button-layout
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/sound/allow-volume-above-100-percent

Enable maximize and minimize title bar buttons

Append changes (cli)

dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/preferences/button-layout "':minimize,maximize,close'"

Append changes (Gnome Tweaks)

Windows > Maximize --> on

Windows > Minimize --> on

Reset changes (cli)

dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/preferences/button-layout

Volume overamplification

Allows volume from your desktop to be amplified beyond 100% at the cost of distortion.

Append changes (cli)

dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/sound/allow-volume-above-100-percent "true"

Append changes (Dconf Editor)

/org/gnome/desktop/sound/allow-volume-above-100-percent

--> true

Reset changes (cli)

dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/sound/allow-volume-above-100-percent

Install useful extensions

You can install these extensions by following the link to the Gnome Extension website, or you can search these extensions in the Extension Manager app that you've downloaded.

Dash to Dock

We suggest you use either Dash to Dock OR Dash to Panel, NOT BOTH.

"A dock for the Gnome Shell. This extension moves the dash out of the overview transforming it in a dock for an easier launching of applications and a faster switching between windows and desktops. Side and bottom placement options are available."

Dash to Panel

We suggest you use either Dash to Dock OR Dash to Panel, NOT BOTH.

"An icon taskbar for the Gnome Shell. This extension moves the dash into the gnome main panel so that the application launchers and system tray are combined into a single panel, similar to that found in KDE Plasma and Windows 7+. A separate dock is no longer needed for easy access to running and favorited applications."

Clipboard Indicator

"The most popular clipboard manager for GNOME, with over 1M downloads."

AppIndicator and KStatusNotifierItem Support

Adds AppIndicator, KStatusNotifierItem and legacy Tray icons support to the Shell.

Caffeine

An extension that allows you to stop your screen from turning off and suspending, on demand!

GNOME Fuzzy App Search

Allows you to find results even without typing the exact terms.

Append useful keyboard shortcuts

All following settings can be appended through Dconf Editor, dconf, and gsettings.

Quick append & shortcut cheatsheet (safe)

Use the following to append all keyboard shortcuts covered in this section. You would need to download the clipboard-indicator extension to activate access its shortcut.

Append changes (cli)

dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-left "['<Control><Super>Left', '<Super>Page_Up']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-right "['<Control><Super>Right', '<Super>Page_Down']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-left "['<Super>bracketleft']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-right "['<Super>bracketright']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows "['<Alt>Tab']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows-backward "['<Alt><Shift>Tab']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications "['<Super>Tab']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications-backward "['<Super><Shift>Tab']"
dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/control-center "['<Super>I', '<Super>semicolon']"
dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/home "['<Super>E']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/panel-run-dialog "['<Super>R']"
dconf write /org/gnome/shell/keybindings/toggle-message-tray "['<Super>M']"
dconf write /org/gnome/shell/extensions/clipboard-indicator/toggle-menu "['<Super>V']"

Reset changes (cli)

dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-left
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-right
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-left
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-right
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows-backward
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications-backward
dconf reset /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/control-center
dconf reset /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/home
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/panel-run-dialog
dconf reset /org/gnome/shell/keybindings/toggle-message-tray
dconf reset /org/gnome/shell/extensions/clipboard-indicator/toggle-menu

Keybinding	Shortcut
Ctrl + Super + Arrow	Switch workspaces
Super + Bracket	Move a window to the workspace left or right
Alt + Tab	Switch windows
Super + Tab	Switch apps
Super + I or Super + ;	Launch Settings app
Super + E	Launch home folder
Super + R	Run command dialog
Super + V	Open Clipboard Indicator

Quick append & shortcut cheatsheet (all)

Use the following to append all keyboard shortcuts covered in this section. Keep in mind that some shortcuts would not be valid as you may need to install dependencies. Finish reading this section to learn more.

Quick append will erase ALL shortcuts you've appended in the custom section!

Append changes (cli)

dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-left "['<Control><Super>Left', '<Super>Page_Up']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-right "['<Control><Super>Right', '<Super>Page_Down']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-left "['<Super>bracketleft']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-right "['<Super>bracketright']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows "['<Alt>Tab']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows-backward "['<Alt><Shift>Tab']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications "['<Super>Tab']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications-backward "['<Super><Shift>Tab']"
dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/control-center "['<Super>I', '<Super>semicolon']"
dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/home "['<Super>E']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/panel-run-dialog "['<Super>R']"
dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings "['/org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/launch-ptyxis/','/org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/launch-mission-center/']"
dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/launch-ptyxis/binding "'<Super>Return'"
dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/launch-ptyxis/command "'ptyxis'"
dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/launch-ptyxis/name "'Launch Ptyxis'"
dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings "['/org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/launch-ptyxis/','/org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/launch-mission-center/']"
dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/launch-mission-center/binding "'<Control><Shift>Escape'"
dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/launch-mission-center/command "'flatpak run io.missioncenter.MissionCenter'"
dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/launch-mission-center/name "'Launch Mission Center'"
dconf write /org/gnome/shell/keybindings/toggle-message-tray "['<Super>M']"
dconf write /org/gnome/shell/extensions/clipboard-indicator/toggle-menu "['<Super>V']"

Reset changes (cli)

dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-left
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-right
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-left
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-right
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows-backward
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications-backward
dconf reset /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/control-center
dconf reset /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/home
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/panel-run-dialog
dconf reset /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/launch-ptyxis
dconf reset /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/launch-mission-center
dconf reset /org/gnome/shell/keybindings/toggle-message-tray
dconf reset /org/gnome/shell/extensions/clipboard-indicator/toggle-menu

Keybinding	Shortcut
Ctrl + Super + Arrow	Switch workspaces
Super + Bracket	Move a window to the workspace left or right
Alt + Tab	Switch windows
Super + Tab	Switch apps
Super + I or Super + ;	Launch Settings app
Super + E	Launch home folder
Super + R	Run command dialog
Super + Return	Launch Ptyxis terminal
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Launch Mission Center
Super + V	Open Clipboard Indicator

Switch workspaces (Windows-like)

Ctrl + Super + Arrow

Append changes (cli)

# Also preserving the original keybinding
# <Super>Page_Up/Page_Down here because it is
# quite useful on a full sized keyboard.
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-left "['<Control><Super>Left', '<Super>Page_Up']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-right "['<Control><Super>Right', '<Super>Page_Down']"

Append changes (Dconf Editor)

/org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-left

--> ['<Control><Super>Left']

/org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-right

--> ['<Control><Super>Right']

Reset changes (cli)

dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-left
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-to-workspace-right

Move a window to the workspace left or right

Super + [

Super + ]

Append changes (cli)

dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-left "['<Super>bracketleft']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-right "['<Super>bracketright']"

Append changes (Dconf Editor)

/org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-left

--> ['<Super>bracketleft']

/org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-right

--> ['<Super>bracketright']

Reset changes (cli)

dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-left
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/move-to-workspace-right

More powerfulAlt–Tab and Super–Tab

Alt + Tab switches windows

Super + Tab switches apps

Append changes (cli)

dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows "['<Alt>Tab']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows-backward "['<Alt><Shift>Tab']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications "['<Super>Tab']"
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications-backward "['<Super><Shift>Tab']"

Append changes (Dconf Editor)

/org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows

--> ['<Alt>Tab']

/org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows-backward

--> ['<Alt><Shift>Tab']

/org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications

--> ['<Super>Tab']

/org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications-backward

--> ['<Super><Shift>Tab']

Reset changes (cli)

dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-windows-backward
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/switch-applications-backward

LaunchSettings app (Windows-like)

Because Super + I may not work due to interference with other shortcuts, Super + ; is also provided here.

Super + I

Super + ;

Append changes (cli)

dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/control-center "['<Super>I', '<Super>semicolon']"

Append changes (Dconf Editor)

/org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/control-center

--> ['<Super>I', '<Super>semicolon']

Reset changes (cli)

dconf reset /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/control-center

Launch home folder (Windows-like)

Super + E

Append changes (cli)

dconf write /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/home "['<Super>E']"

Append changes (Dconf Editor)

/org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/home

--> ['<Super>E']

Reset changes (cli)

dconf reset /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/home

Run command dialog (Windows-like)

Super + R

Append changes (cli)

dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/panel-run-dialog "['<Super>R']"

Append changes (Dconf Editor)

/org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/panel-run-dialog

--> ['<Super>R']

Reset changes (cli)

dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/panel-run-dialog

All shortcuts below this message require dependencies that you may not have depending on the distro. There will be instructions to download dependencies when you expand.

OpenClipboard Indicator (Windows-like)

Super + V

Clipboard Indicator extension is required for this shortcut to work.

Install in the Gnome Extension page or through the Extension Manager.

Append changes (cli)

dconf write /org/gnome/shell/keybindings/toggle-message-tray "['<Super>M']"
dconf write /org/gnome/shell/extensions/clipboard-indicator/toggle-menu "['<Super>V']"

Append changes (Dconf Editor)

/org/gnome/shell/keybindings/toggle-message-tray

--> ['<Super>M']

/org/gnome/shell/extensions/clipboard-indicator/toggle-menu

--> ['<Super>V']

Reset changes (cli)

dconf reset /org/gnome/shell/keybindings/toggle-message-tray
dconf reset /org/gnome/shell/extensions/clipboard-indicator/toggle-menu

Appending the following changes will override all shortcuts you've added in the Settings's custom section. It is suggested that you append them manually through the Gnome Settings app --> Keyboard --> View and Customize Keyboard Shortcuts section instead if you have existing custom shortcuts.

LaunchPtyxis Terminal

Super + Return

Install dependencies

Fedora

sudo dnf install ptyxis

Arch

pacman -S ptyxis

Debian/Ubuntu

sudo apt install ptyxis

LaunchMission Center (Windows-like)

Ctrl + Shft + Esc

Install dependencies

Flatpak (System)

flatpak install flathub io.missioncenter.MissionCenter

Flatpak (User)

flatpak install --user flathub io.missioncenter.MissionCenter

Contributors

aier9500Lunear01

Changelog

12/12/25, 9:28 PM

View All Changelog

• 550fb-remove redundant backtick.on 12/12/25
• 35118-Grammar and Spell Checks for the entire Webon 12/11/25
• e8289-Typo Fixon 12/9/25
• 5810a-Cleaner way of displaying contributors in articles.on 12/9/25
• dc097-Moving to GitHub Development.on 12/7/25
• de685-Migrating to permalinks for article references.on 12/7/25
• ca708-Preserving original workspace switching keybinding alongside the addition.on 11/15/25
• 1d29b-Better contrast to link to aier's Gnome.on 11/13/25
• 2e060-Fixing missing Tab behavior.on 11/2/25
• b3a9f-Updated extension usage and added "Previously in My Setup" section.on 10/28/25
• c7562-Steramlining and making the guide more aesthetically pleasing.on 10/9/25
• 091f4-Remove outdated aier's Fedora Gnome reference guide and update links in Gnome Guideon 9/26/25
• ca005-aier's Fedora Guide Finished First Editionon 9/26/25
• 93f21-Adding icons to tabs.on 7/28/25
• d40a3-Modularizing for individual articles to be less overwhelming.on 7/22/25
• 777c6-Moved better text rendering as it is not a universal tweak. Improved formatting and uniformity.on 7/21/25
• c4638-Added TODOon 7/16/25
• d6a97-Adjusting to guidelineson 7/16/25
• 3fa27-Better text emphasis and adding adw-gtk3 guideon 7/15/25
• 0228f-Refactor documentation for improved clarity and consistency in formattingon 7/15/25
• b67e5-Refactor code structure for improved readability and maintainabilityon 7/12/25
• 46131-Implement code changes to enhance functionality and improve performanceon 7/12/25
• 9537b-Update terminal customization and guides to include devicons for Linux distributionson 6/24/25
• eee03-Adding tips for clarificationon 6/14/25
• 18e7d-Refactor Gnome guide: update author and contributor sections, remove TODO, and enhance keybinding instructionson 6/12/25
• cf777-Add TODO item for home folder shortcut in Gnome guideon 6/12/25
• 602e4-Refactor Gnome guide: remove TODO section, enhance tweaks details, and clarify warningson 6/12/25
• 2d6d9-Add keyboard shortcuts section with detailed commands and a cheatsheeton 6/12/25
• 412dd-Added keyboard shortcuts.on 6/12/25
• c31f9-Refactor terminal customization guide for improved clarity; update Bash example formatting and enhance details for Timeshift setup in Fedora guide.on 6/11/25
• 9d94b-maintainers tag added and guideline page addedon 6/9/25
• bd1c9-Updating and structuring Gnome Guide.on 6/9/25
• 2fa67-Structuring the guide.on 6/9/25
• 44d4a-bash script gnome.mdon 6/9/25
• 41c78-bash script for keyboard bindings, ai generatedon 6/9/25
• c6d93-gnome pageon 6/8/25
• d4ec7-gnome page modifiedon 6/8/25
• a4754-Under construction.on 6/8/25
• e5a30-Editing Fedora and Gnome guide.on 6/8/25
• 7e493-Noteon 6/7/25