This quick tutorial shows how to get Mac OS style auto-resize dock launcher in Ubuntu 18.04, without installing extensions, e.g., Dash to Panel or Dash to Dock.

The left panel in Ubuntu 18.04 is called “Ubuntu Dock“. It is forked from Dash to Dock extension and less customizable via System Settings. There are only auto-hide, panel position, and icon size settings.

To get more settings for Ubuntu Dock, there’s a graphical tool called Dconf Editor.

1. First search for and install dconf editor from Ubuntu Software:

2. Launch dconf editor, and navigate to org/gnome/shell/extensions/dash-to-dock. And turn off the switch for ‘extend height’.

Then you’ll see an auto-resize Mac OS style dock launcher instead of the extended panel.