How to get a Terminal on your Desktop

This interesting customization will allow your desktop to become a fully functional terminal. The objective is to have a gnome terminal running right above the actual background image that won't be displayed by the statusbar or ticker.

eZine lover (@eZine)

Published in 

Full Circle Magazine

 · 12 Jan 2023

Written by Dimitar Boichev

Download and install the devilspie package. In a terminal type:

sudo apt-get install devilspie

Make a folder for devilspie in your home folder by typing:

mkdir ~/.devilspie

in a terminal.

Create a configuration file named DesktopConsole.ds (again, in a terminal):

nano ~/.devilspie/DesktopConsole.ds

Input the following into the file (press Ctrl+ X to save and exit):

Notes:

• I use workspace 4 but you can use whatever you like.
• You should at least adjust the geometry lines to match your screen.
• Read the devilspie wiki, for other commands!

Create a new gnome-terminal profile named "DesktopConsole" by doing the following:

• in the "General" tab, untick "show menubar by default..."
• in the "Scrolling" tab, select "Scrollbar is" > Disabled.
• in the "Effects" tab, set "Transparent background" and shade to "None" (or to whatever you prefer)

Add devilspie and gnome-terminal to the Startup Programs in your session: in System > Preferences > Sessions, "Startup Programs" tab, add the 2 programs:

devilspie

and:

gnome-terminal --window-with-profile=DesktopConsole

Log out, then log in.

Check to see that devilspie is running before the gnome-terminal command.

That's it!