Description: Crystal Dock is a cool dock (desktop panel) for Linux desktop, with the focus on attractive user interface, being simple and easy to customize, and cross-desktop support.
The current version (version 2) supports KDE Plasma 6 and LXQt (KWin) on Wayland. Other desktop environments will be considered when they run on Wayland and provide sufficient APIs. The previous version (version 1) supports KDE Plasma 5, GNOME, LXQt, Cinnamon and MATE on X11.
Main features: - Smooth parabolic zooming and translucent effect - Four visual styles: Glass 3D, Glass 2D, Flat 2D and Metal 2D with various appearance settings - Supported components: Application Menu, Pager, Launcher/Task Manager, Clock - Multiple docks support - Integration with various desktop environments: special menu entries (e.g. Log Out), specific default launchers, setting wallpapers - Support for setting different wallpapers for different virtual desktops - Separate configs for separate desktop environments
Recommended icon theme: - For Glass 3D / Glass 2D / Metal 2D style, a good icon theme to use with Crystal Dock is the Crystal Remix icon theme: https://store.kde.org/p/1226130 - For Flat 2D style, use something like Mkos-Big-Sur.
License: Crystal Dock is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0
Dependencies: Crystal Dock is written in C++ and depends on: - Qt6 as the GUI framework - LayerShellQt6 for Wayland's Layer Shell integrationLast changelog:
v2.12
New features & Enhancements: - Added a new Glass 2D visual style: for users who prefer the pre-2.2 look. Also the indicators have been updated with the ones from the Glass 3D style. - Added a new option in Task Manager Settings to set "group tasks by application" On/Off. The default is On like in previous versions. If it's set to Off and if an application has more than one task, each task will have its own icon on the dock and each icon will have the first letter of the window title drawing on it to help distinguish them. - Added a new type of separator called Launcher Separator that will push task icons behind it. The current Separator will allow task icons before it as it is now. In the Edit Launchers dialog there are now 2 separate buttons: 1 for adding (current) Separator and 1 for adding Launcher Separator. - Added an option to turn off tooltip.
Bugs fixed: - Fixed various cases where the dock failed to identify tasks from applications. - Fixed a bug where the dock failed to identify tasks from applications recently installed. - Fixed a bug where Auto Hide visibility mode was not working after a dock restart. - Fixed a bug in Intelligent Auto Hide visibility mode where changing Position when the dock was hidden did not update the Auto Hide screen edge correctly.
Can you please add an option in the Dock to separate the launchers from the tasks? I always have the problem that the tasks are not assigned to the launchers and I find it better if I have the tasks on the right and the launchers on the left.
I think it might be better to fix the issues with matching task - application?
I am working on another set of fixes for the next version.
Otherwise, even if we separate launchers from tasks, the tasks might still not have the correct icons.
Another problem with separating launchers from tasks is that the dock might be come quite long (the dock's width might be too big). I actually implemented this behaviour in Crystal Dock's predecessor (KSmoothDock since KDE 3) and it was certainly an issue.
Since window grouping came along, I no longer have a problem with the dock becoming too long. Still, it would be nice if you could set a maximum size in the config. I think the mix of launchers and tasks makes it confusing.
The mix of launchers and tasks has pretty much became standard since MacOS and Windows did it. I am not sure separating launchers and tasks is a good idea, and I say this as a person who implemented the dock this way before...
Hi, I've just released a new version v2.12 with lots of fixes for task - launcher assignment, and an option to turn Group Tasks By Application On/Off, among other things. Check it out and let me know what you think!
The task grouping was better for me before, as I had one point for a window and two points for multiple windows. Now I have one point for each window, which takes up unnecessary space when there are four or more windows of an application. Preview windows like in Icontasks from Plasma would be cool.
This mess with the mixed launchers and tasks still bothers me, and I don't see any improvement in the assignment of tasks to launchers.
The position is the next problem; I can only get the dock to appear above a bounding taskbar (Plasma 6) using kdotool, and I have to constantly adjust the position as it doesn't stay there.
I have 15 launchers and tasks in the dock, with an icon size of 18. The window is 590 pixels wide and 101 pixels high in idle mode. It is too tall and obscures buttons in other windows.
Oh well you can always leave the Group Tasks By Application to On and it should work like before then. For positioning, you should put Crystal Dock and Plasma panel on different screen edges. I put the dock at the bottom and a Plasma panel at the top.
8I love the ease and simplicity of this dock. Perfect for keeping a few things handy on the desktop. I use Kubuntu and I used to use cairo dock, but cairo crashed a lot. Been using crystal dock for a few months now, and I love it.
by the way, the apt and dnf have the same switches, and i have make a admin-script and have a checker inside for a rpm or deb packingsystem build as funktion in the bashscript... there could maby in a plasmoid/plasma some checker and on this maybe a updatechecker for check which update packets on start and let them see in a list and a button for start the intaller/updater over plasma and checks all 5/10/ or longer(config) and this maybe works together with the plasma updater for have easy a Widget for updates.. so just a ask, maby know you anyone where could create some.. there has exist an updater in P5 where has work together with the dnf-updater, but this is no more supportet :\
best
Blacky
no problem, yes, something like the update-appet where has exist in QT5 at past(but no more update/support), if you have become with and have see it, a small applet-window with a button for Check / update , so if exist updates, download and update with the button and if there no listing, check if exit updates and let show a list(and then the button under the list for let start the update) or check if there a update automatically and get a "action/update" button . For is to let see what are all updatefiles exist as list and the button for manually start the update. For know what's all updated at the updaterun..
You mean the check-update icon on Crystal Dock itself, or on Plasma panel/desktop?
I think self-updating might be hard, but some sort of notification might be more doable.
Hi Dangvd,
take a look : https://images.pling.com/img/00/00/04/32/52/1955362/screen-00019.jpg
left top by side of konsole, this widget/applet/miniprogram, for see the updates : dnf/apt check-update for get a listing (program update listing and put this on the desktop update lister) and dnf/apt -y up/update for install all updates, this use in the desktop mini program/applet.
best
blacky
Ratings & Comments
57 Comments
Can you please add an option in the Dock to separate the launchers from the tasks? I always have the problem that the tasks are not assigned to the launchers and I find it better if I have the tasks on the right and the launchers on the left.
I think it might be better to fix the issues with matching task - application? I am working on another set of fixes for the next version. Otherwise, even if we separate launchers from tasks, the tasks might still not have the correct icons. Another problem with separating launchers from tasks is that the dock might be come quite long (the dock's width might be too big). I actually implemented this behaviour in Crystal Dock's predecessor (KSmoothDock since KDE 3) and it was certainly an issue.
Since window grouping came along, I no longer have a problem with the dock becoming too long. Still, it would be nice if you could set a maximum size in the config. I think the mix of launchers and tasks makes it confusing.
The mix of launchers and tasks has pretty much became standard since MacOS and Windows did it. I am not sure separating launchers and tasks is a good idea, and I say this as a person who implemented the dock this way before...
Hi, I've just released a new version v2.12 with lots of fixes for task - launcher assignment, and an option to turn Group Tasks By Application On/Off, among other things. Check it out and let me know what you think!
The task grouping was better for me before, as I had one point for a window and two points for multiple windows. Now I have one point for each window, which takes up unnecessary space when there are four or more windows of an application. Preview windows like in Icontasks from Plasma would be cool. This mess with the mixed launchers and tasks still bothers me, and I don't see any improvement in the assignment of tasks to launchers. The position is the next problem; I can only get the dock to appear above a bounding taskbar (Plasma 6) using kdotool, and I have to constantly adjust the position as it doesn't stay there. I have 15 launchers and tasks in the dock, with an icon size of 18. The window is 590 pixels wide and 101 pixels high in idle mode. It is too tall and obscures buttons in other windows.
Oh well you can always leave the Group Tasks By Application to On and it should work like before then. For positioning, you should put Crystal Dock and Plasma panel on different screen edges. I put the dock at the bottom and a Plasma panel at the top.
Also feel free to add what app is causing task - app assignment issue for you here: https://github.com/dangvd/crystal-dock/issues/131
8 I love the ease and simplicity of this dock. Perfect for keeping a few things handy on the desktop. I use Kubuntu and I used to use cairo dock, but cairo crashed a lot. Been using crystal dock for a few months now, and I love it.
Thanks a lot! Glad you like it.
10 looks really chic! Well done ! be at moment a bit looking around and have found your panel !
Many thanks, really appreciate it!
by the way, the apt and dnf have the same switches, and i have make a admin-script and have a checker inside for a rpm or deb packingsystem build as funktion in the bashscript... there could maby in a plasmoid/plasma some checker and on this maybe a updatechecker for check which update packets on start and let them see in a list and a button for start the intaller/updater over plasma and checks all 5/10/ or longer(config) and this maybe works together with the plasma updater for have easy a Widget for updates.. so just a ask, maby know you anyone where could create some.. there has exist an updater in P5 where has work together with the dnf-updater, but this is no more supportet :\ best Blacky
Sorry for responding a bit late. You mean it would be good to have something (e.g. Plasmoid) to check for update automatically?
no problem, yes, something like the update-appet where has exist in QT5 at past(but no more update/support), if you have become with and have see it, a small applet-window with a button for Check / update , so if exist updates, download and update with the button and if there no listing, check if exit updates and let show a list(and then the button under the list for let start the update) or check if there a update automatically and get a "action/update" button . For is to let see what are all updatefiles exist as list and the button for manually start the update. For know what's all updated at the updaterun..
You mean the check-update icon on Crystal Dock itself, or on Plasma panel/desktop? I think self-updating might be hard, but some sort of notification might be more doable.
Hi Dangvd, take a look : https://images.pling.com/img/00/00/04/32/52/1955362/screen-00019.jpg left top by side of konsole, this widget/applet/miniprogram, for see the updates : dnf/apt check-update for get a listing (program update listing and put this on the desktop update lister) and dnf/apt -y up/update for install all updates, this use in the desktop mini program/applet. best blacky
That would require Crystal Dock to be in the official repo, but it's not the case yet. I'll look into it in the longer term though. Cheers,
*thumpsup*,*thumpsup* best regards Blacky
10 Thanks for this cool dock.
Thanks a lot! Glad it works for you now.