https://github.com/kemsky/gnome-thunderbird-extension
Minimizes Thunderbird to the system tray
https://github.com/kemsky/gnome-thunderbird-extension
gnome-extension gnome-shell gnome-shell-extension thunderbird ubuntu
Last synced: 23 days ago
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Minimizes Thunderbird to the system tray
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/kemsky/gnome-thunderbird-extension
- Owner: kemsky
- Created: 2026-05-16T19:59:16.000Z (about 2 months ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2026-05-17T15:08:06.000Z (about 2 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-05-17T16:50:12.973Z (about 2 months ago)
- Topics: gnome-extension, gnome-shell, gnome-shell-extension, thunderbird, ubuntu
- Language: TypeScript
- Homepage:
- Size: 40 KB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# Gnome shell extension for Thunderbird
A GNOME Shell extension that adds a Thunderbird system tray icon to the top panel.
Download extension from [Releases](https://github.com/kemsky/gnome-thunderbird-extension/releases/) page.
## Features
- **Tray icon** — greyed out (optionaly hidden) when Thunderbird is not running
- **Dock hiding** — automatically removes Thunderbird from the dock when all its windows are minimized
- **One-click restore** — click the tray icon to unminimize all windows and bring Thunderbird back to the dock
- **Unread badge** — a small orange dot appears on the tray icon when Thunderbird sends a desktop notification
- **Launch** — clicking the tray icon when Thunderbird is not running launches it
- **Wayland native** — no X11 tools required
## Preferences
Install `gnome-extensions-app` to manage extension preferences (https://apps.gnome.org/Extensions/):
```bash
sudo apt-get install gnome-extensions-app
```
## Requirements
- GNOME Shell 45–50 (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and later)
- Thunderbird (package, snap, or Flatpak)
## How it works
Extension patches `Shell.AppSystem.running_apps` and `Shell.App.get_windows` to hide app and its notifications from Dock. Also, it monitors notifications to detect when Thunderbird receives a new email.
If you know a better way to do this please let me know.
## Build and development
Requires NodeJS.
```bash
yarn install
```
```bash
yarn extension-install
yarn extension-enable
```
Log out and back in for the extension to fully load.
> **Note:** GNOME Shell caches JavaScript modules in memory. Code changes only take full effect after a session logout/login.
## License
MIT