| name | gnome |
| description | Manage GNOME extensions, gsettings, and desktop customizations on Bluefin — including which settings Bluefin owns vs. which are safe to change. |
| domain | sysadmin |
When to Use
- Managing GNOME extensions without breaking Bluefin customizations
- Reading and writing gsettings or dconf overrides
- Understanding which settings Bluefin owns vs. which are safe to change
- Customizing keyboard shortcuts, appearance, or desktop behavior
When NOT to Use
- Installing GUI applications — use Flatpak instead
- Changing system settings that require root (use ujust recipes instead)
Bluefin GNOME Overview
Bluefin ships a fully customized GNOME desktop. Customizations live in:
projectbluefin/common — canonical source of truth at system_files/bluefin/
- System-wide dconf overrides in
/etc/dconf/db/ — Bluefin-managed, user cannot easily override
- Pre-installed GNOME extensions bundled with the image
Key principle: Bluefin distinguishes between:
- Bluefin-managed settings — in
/etc/dconf/db/, set at system level, survive user resets
- User settings — in
~/.config/dconf/, changeable freely, may be reset by image updates
GNOME Extensions
Checking what's installed:
gnome-extensions list
gnome-extensions list --enabled
GNOME Extensions app (recommended GUI):
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Extensions
Enabling/disabling extensions:
gnome-extensions enable <extension-uuid>
gnome-extensions disable <extension-uuid>
Installing new extensions:
Via GNOME Extensions app (Flatpak) → browse → install.
Or via browser at https://extensions.gnome.org (requires browser integration).
Extensions bundled by Bluefin — do not disable without understanding the impact:
- Check
projectbluefin/common for the authoritative list (it changes with image updates)
- Common Bluefin extensions: Dash-to-Dock, AppIndicator, Blur my Shell, etc.
Safe to customize: Non-Bluefin extensions you install yourself.
Caution: Disabling a Bluefin-bundled extension may break expected UX — it may be re-enabled on image update.
gsettings — Reading and Writing Settings
gsettings is the high-level interface for GNOME configuration.
gsettings list-schemas
gsettings list-keys org.gnome.desktop.interface
gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.interface color-scheme
gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface color-scheme 'prefer-dark'
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface text-scaling-factor 1.25
gsettings reset org.gnome.desktop.interface color-scheme
gsettings monitor org.gnome.desktop.interface
Common schemas on Bluefin:
| Schema | Purpose |
|---|
org.gnome.desktop.interface | Theme, fonts, color scheme |
org.gnome.desktop.background | Wallpaper |
org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings | Window manager shortcuts |
org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys | App shortcuts |
org.gnome.shell | Shell settings, enabled extensions |
dconf — Low-Level Configuration
dconf is the underlying database. Use gsettings when possible; dconf for advanced use.
dconf read /org/gnome/desktop/interface/color-scheme
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/interface/color-scheme "'prefer-dark'"
dconf dump /
dconf dump /org/gnome/desktop/
dconf watch /
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/interface/color-scheme
dconf reset -f /org/gnome/desktop/
Bluefin-managed dconf keys — in /etc/dconf/db/ (system-level locks):
ls /etc/dconf/db/
ls /etc/dconf/db/distro.d/
cat /etc/dconf/db/distro.d/01-bluefin
These take precedence over user settings and survive dconf reset.
Keyboard Shortcuts
gsettings get org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys custom-keybindings
gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys custom-keybindings \
"['/org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/custom0/']"
gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys.custom-keybinding:/org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/custom0/ \
name 'Terminal'
gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys.custom-keybinding:/org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/custom0/ \
command 'ptyxis'
gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys.custom-keybinding:/org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys/custom-keybindings/custom0/ \
binding '<Super>Return'
Tip: Use the Settings app → Keyboard → View and Customize Shortcuts for a GUI.
Appearance
Color scheme (dark mode):
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface color-scheme 'prefer-dark'
Wallpaper:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background picture-uri "file:///path/to/image.jpg"
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background picture-uri-dark "file:///path/to/image.jpg"
Fonts (safe to change):
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface font-name 'Inter 11'
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface monospace-font-name 'Noto Sans Mono 12'
Icon themes and GTK themes: Bluefin ships default themes. Changing them is possible but may be reset on image update if Bluefin manages the setting.
Troubleshooting
Extension broken after GNOME update:
gnome-extensions disable <uuid>
Settings not sticking (reset on reboot or login):
The setting may be managed by Bluefin via /etc/dconf/db/. System settings override user settings.
dconf read /path/to/key
GNOME Shell crash after extension change:
gsettings set org.gnome.shell disable-user-extensions true
Reset all user dconf settings:
dconf reset -f /