Fast launcher workflow
Quick access to your core apps, work surfaces, and utilities without visual noise or startup drag.
Docking
A dock that adapts to your workflow.
Fast, customizable, and extensible dock application -- fully written in Python, with built-in applets and full Linux desktop integration.
Themeable
Auto-hide
Multi-monitor
GTK + Cairo
Applet system
Cross desktop environments
Open source
56 Applets
Themeable
Auto-hide
Multi-monitor
GTK + Cairo
Applet system
Cross desktop environments
Open source
56 Applets
Features: built to feel native in real Linux workflows
Docking combines launcher speed, desktop awareness, and a modular widget system in one polished surface.
Built-in applets (56)
Ship a dock that already knows how to show system status, weather, media, timers, notes, and more.
Fully customizable themes
Adjust the dock to your desktop instead of adapting your desktop to the dock.
Multi-monitor and auto-hide
Keep the dock where it belongs, visible when needed and out of the way when focus matters.
Cross desktop compatibility
Built for Linux setups that span more than one desktop environment and more than one way of working.
Extensible applet system
Add your own widgets and behaviors without compromising the dock’s main runtime model.
Compatibility: one dock across Linux desktops
Docking selects the best backend for the current session and falls back cleanly when a compositor does not expose every window-management feature.
X11, GNOME, KDE Plasma, COSMIC, Niri, Wayfire, wlroots, and fallback sessions
Environment
Backend Path
Coverage
Full
X11 desktops
MATE, Xfce, Cinnamon, KDE, GNOME Flashback
Native X11 backend
Running indicators, window actions, previews, workspace behavior, dodge/auto-hide, and desktop integration.
Full
GNOME Wayland
GNOME / Mutter 45+
GNOME Shell bridge
Dock placement, window tracking, activate/minimize/close actions, previews, workspace switching, Show Desktop, and Alt+Tab hiding.
Native
KDE Plasma Wayland
KWin / Plasma 6
KWin backend
Layer-shell placement, AT-SPI window tracking with titles, and workspace switching through KWin D-Bus. Window actions depend on what KWin exposes.
Native
COSMIC Wayland
COSMIC desktop sessions
COSMIC protocols
Native layer-shell placement with COSMIC toplevel, workspace, overlap, and preview protocol paths where available.
Native
Niri Wayland
Niri compositor sessions
Niri IPC backend
Layer-shell placement, window tracking with titles, previews, workspace switching, Show Desktop, idle time, and color picker — via native Niri IPC.
Native
Wayfire Wayland
Wayfire compositor sessions
Wayfire IPC backend
Layer-shell placement, window tracking with titles, activate/minimize/close actions, workspace switching, Show Desktop, visibility-based dodge, window picking, and color picker — via native Wayfire IPC.
Varies
Hyprland, Sway, labwc, river
wlroots-style Wayland compositors
Layer-shell plus compositor protocols
Dock placement, window tracking, workspaces, and previews vary by compositor protocol support and backend selection.
Fallback
Any unsupported session
Safe launcher/app applet mode
Reduced backend
Dock remains usable even without window management, running indicators, previews, or workspace switching.
57 built-in applets: searchable tools for the dock
Filter the catalog by workflow and find the applets that make Docking more than a launcher: system controls, command launchers, media, notes, weather, privacy indicators, and folder-friendly utilities.
57 built-in applets plus folder stacks and separators
Showing 57 applets
No applets match that search.
Build from source: clone it, hack on it, extend it
Docking is open source and built for people who want control, extensibility, and a clean code path into custom workflows.
git clone https://github.com/edumucelli/docking.git
cd docking
python3 -m venv --system-site-packages .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -e ".[dev]"Flexible, extensible, and built for real workflows.
Docking gives you control without getting in your way.
Frequently asked questions
What Linux desktop environments does Docking support?
Docking supports X11 and Wayland through backend-specific integrations: full X11 support, GNOME / Mutter via the companion Shell bridge, KDE Plasma 6 through the native KWin backend, COSMIC through native Wayland protocols, wlroots-style compositors via layer-shell and advertised protocols, and reduced mode when compositor integration is unavailable.
Can I create my own applets?
Yes. Docking has an extensible applet system. Each applet is a Python package with a state, render, and applet module. You can add custom widgets and behaviors without modifying the dock's core runtime.
Does Docking support Wayland?
Yes. Docking supports X11 and Wayland. Native Wayland support is selected per desktop: GNOME Shell bridge, KWin, COSMIC protocols, wlroots layer-shell/protocol paths, or reduced mode when needed.
Is Docking free and open source?
Yes. Docking is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later and fully open source. The code is hosted on GitHub and contributions are welcome.
Start using Docking today
Install a build, star the project, and shape a Linux dock that fits the way you actually work.