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Version: 0.1.22

gnome-shell

Generate themes for GNOME Shell panel, overview, and system menus.

Description​

GNOME Shell is the core user interface of the GNOME desktop environment. The plugin generates CSS files that style the panel, overview, app menu, and system dialogs.

Requirements​

  • GNOME Shell installed
  • User Themes extension enabled
  • gsettings and gnome-extensions commands available

Installing User Themes extension​

# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install gnome-shell-extension-user-theme

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-user-theme

# Arch
sudo pacman -S gnome-shell-extension-user-theme

After installation, enable the extension:

gnome-extensions enable user-theme@gnome-shell-extensions.gcampax.github.com

Then log out and back in for the extension to activate.

Output path​

~/.local/share/themes/tinct-a/gnome-shell/gnome-shell.css
~/.local/share/themes/tinct-b/gnome-shell/gnome-shell.css

Two theme variants (tinct-a and tinct-b) are generated to enable flicker-free theme reloading.

Usage​

tinct generate -i image -p ~/wallpaper.jpg -o gnome-shell

Flags​

FlagDefaultDescription
--gnome-shell.output-dir~/.local/share/themesOutput directory for theme files

Automatic application​

The plugin automatically applies the theme using two strategies:

  1. D-Bus reload (preferred): Calls Main.loadTheme() via D-Bus for instant theme reload
  2. gsettings toggle: Falls back to toggling between tinct-a and tinct-b themes

If the source image is a wallpaper file, it will also be set as the desktop background.

Themed elements​

The GNOME Shell theme styles:

  • Top panel (background, text, icons)
  • Overview mode
  • App menu and system menus
  • Notification popups
  • Lock screen elements
  • Workspace switcher

See also​