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what is simple-taskbar fr?

sultech/simple-taskbar — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-05-18

43JavaScriptAudience · generalComplexity · 3/5Setup · moderate

tl;dr

Simple Taskbar is a GNOME Shell extension that turns the desktop panel into a configurable, Windows-style taskbar with pinned and running apps, live window previews, and an optional Start Menu.

vibe map

mindmap
  root((Simple Taskbar))
    What it does
      Windows style taskbar
      Pinned and running apps
      Window previews
    Tech stack
      JavaScript
      GNOME Shell
      GJS
    Use cases
      Familiar taskbar UX
      Panel customization
      Start Menu
    Audience
      Linux desktop users
      GNOME Shell users

Code map

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filefunction / class

what do people make with this?

VIBE 1

Add a familiar Windows-style taskbar with pinned and running apps to a GNOME desktop.

VIBE 2

Preview and switch between open windows by hovering over an app icon.

VIBE 3

Customize panel position, height, icon size, and light or dark theme to match your setup.

VIBE 4

Add a Windows 11 style Start Menu with search, pinned apps, and recommendations.

what's the stack?

JavaScriptGNOME ShellGJS

how it stacks up fr

sultech/simple-taskbarearthtojake/implicit.jsjavlonbek1233/amaliy-ish
Stars434343
LanguageJavaScriptJavaScriptJavaScript
Setup difficultymoderateeasyeasy
Complexity3/53/52/5
Audiencegeneraldevelopervibe coder

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

how do i run it?

Difficulty · moderate time til it works · 30min

Only works on GNOME Shell 50, installed via extensions.gnome.org rather than as a standalone app.

in plain english

Simple Taskbar is a GNOME Shell extension that turns the desktop's built in panel into a configurable Windows style taskbar. Instead of replacing GNOME's existing pieces like the Activities button, clock, calendar, and Quick Settings, it combines them alongside a row of pinned and running application icons on the same panel. It currently works with GNOME Shell version 50. The extension shows both apps you have pinned as favorites and apps that are currently running, using the same list GNOME's default dock already uses, so pinning or reordering an app updates both places at once. Clicking an app icon launches, focuses, or minimizes it, a middle click opens a new window, and hovering shows a live preview of open windows that you can click to jump to or close. You can choose whether multiple windows from the same app share one button or get their own, and adjust panel position, height, icon size, spacing, colors, and transparency. Auto-hide, workspace only filtering, and a light or dark theme that can either follow the system or be set manually are also included. Beyond the taskbar itself, the extension can switch to a more traditional native GNOME panel layout for people who do not want application buttons at all, while keeping most of the same appearance settings. It also includes an optional Start Menu styled after Windows 11, with a pinned app grid, GNOME's built in search, an all apps view, recommended apps, and right click menus for launching, pinning, or managing each app. An optional folder button can also be added to the panel for quickly opening files from a chosen directory. Because it is a GNOME Shell extension rather than a standalone application, it is written in JavaScript, the language GNOME Shell extensions use, and is installed through the GNOME Extensions website rather than as a separate app you download and run. The README does not state a license.

prompts (copy fr)

prompt 1
Explain how the Combine Application Buttons setting works in Simple Taskbar and its three modes.
prompt 2
Show me how the panel customization settings for position, height, and theme are implemented in this extension.
prompt 3
Walk me through how the Eleven-style Start Menu integrates with GNOME's global search.
prompt 4
Help me understand how this GNOME Shell extension keeps pinned apps in sync with GNOME's own Dash.

Frequently asked questions

what is simple-taskbar fr?

Simple Taskbar is a GNOME Shell extension that turns the desktop panel into a configurable, Windows-style taskbar with pinned and running apps, live window previews, and an optional Start Menu.

What language is simple-taskbar written in?

Mainly JavaScript. The stack also includes JavaScript, GNOME Shell, GJS.

How hard is simple-taskbar to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated moderate, with roughly 30min to a first successful run.

Who is simple-taskbar for?

Mainly general.

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