Quick Tip: How to Install Gnome Extensions in Ubuntu 17.10

Last updated: March 21, 2019

gnome shell

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:

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.

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I'm a freelance blogger who started using Ubuntu in 2007 and wishes to share my experiences and some useful tips with Ubuntu beginners and lovers. Please comment to let me know if the tutorial is outdated! And, notify me if you find any typo/grammar/language mistakes. English is not my native language. Contact me via [email protected] Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/ubuntuhandbook1 |

3 responses to Quick Tip: How to Install Gnome Extensions in Ubuntu 17.10

  1. Roberto Vinueza Brito October 24, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    Not all shell extension works with wayland!!!! careful!!!!…
    Ex. Simplescreencast…
    I already installed it, but I had to login with X11 support to diasbled it and then uninstalled it…

  2. Roberto Vinueza Brito October 24, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    If you want to install a minimum set of shell extensions, you have to install thru apt and then reboot…
    apt-cahe search gnome-shell

    list of options
    ….

    sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions
    sudo reboot

    And then you can manage it with gnome tweak…