In order to install an extension you are required to have the gnome-tweak-tool installed, this should be installed by default on most modern Ubuntu GNOME versions, however if it is not you can install it by running the following:
sudo apt-get install gnome-tweak-tool
With the gnome-tweak-tool come some pre-installed but not pre-enabled extensions, you can view these by opening the gnome-tweak-tool (you can either run this in Terminal (CTRL + ALT + T) or you can search for Tweak Tool in the Activities Overview) and going to the Extensions section.
Browser preparations (installing and updating)
Firefox
Version 52+
Since Firefox version 52 NPAPI plugin support has been removed so plugins like the GNOME Shell Integration plugin and Java etc won't work. So if you wish to install a new extension which isn't already installed then you will need a two-part solution:
After you have installed both of these you will need to restart your browser for the changes to take effect. Then you will be able to browse and install GNOME extensions from here.
Below version 52
If you wish to install a new extension which is not already pre-installed go here in Firefox and make sure that the GNOME Shell Integration plugin is enabled. So either go here about:addons (enter this into the URL bar and press ENTER), go to the Plugins section, and make sure that the GNOME Shell Integration plugin is set to Always Activate, or do the same but instead set it to Ask to Activate and then when you visit the GNOME extensions website make sure you either click Allow Now every time, or press Allow and Remember (you will need to click the little lego brick to get this dialog - the brick shown in the screenshot below):
Enabling this plugin allows the website to detect your GNOME version as well as to install and manage your extensions. The plugin should be installed by default in Firefox 52 and below on Ubuntu GNOME.
Chrome and Chromium
(and some other Chromium-based browsers including Vivaldi)
Since NPAPI plugin support is not available in these browsers either you will need a two-part solution:
After you have installed both of these you will need to restart your browser for the changes to take effect. Then you will be able to browse and install GNOME extensions from here.
The native GNOME "Web" browser Epiphany still supports NPAPI plugins and has the necessary GNOME extensions plugin pre-installed and thus there is no need to do any setting up with it.
If it is not already installed then it can be installed with:
sudo apt-get install epiphany-browser
Installing a new extension
The most popular extensions will be displayed on the initial page you get to, you may however choose to sort page contents and search results using the Name, Recent, and Downloads filters. You can also choose to display results for All versions as opposed to just the Current version you are running (attempting to install extensions not compatible with your version of GNOME will result in a silent failure - the operation will not be successful but you will not be notified of this in any way - though extensions which are not compatible will be slightly greyed out in the results list so you will still be able to tell even with the All versions filter selected).
The different filters I mentioned above are accessibly through the relevant pull-down menus (I have put a red box around the settings in question):
You can also use the search box to find extensions, once you have found an extension you wish to install (if you are concerned about the safety of the extensions then you should read this information on the review process - go to the Are GNOME Shell extensions safe? section - extensions have to go through before they are accepted onto the website), click on its name in the search results, then once you are on its page click the ON/OFF slider next to its name (as done above in the gnome-tweak-tool), you will get a dialog prompting you if you wish to install the said extension, if you do, press Install, if you have changed your mind, press Cancel.
If you do not get such a dialog, you have just stumbled across one of your pre-installed extensions and activated it!
Once making changes to your installed/activated extensions from the website you will need to restart the gnome-tweak-tool in order for it to register the changes.
Managing extensions
In order to activate an extension click on the ON/OFF slider next to its name and description so that its status changes from OFF to ON, (and visa-versa to deactivate it).
You will see that the pre-installed extensions have a greyed out Remove button next to each of them, this is greyed out because they are pre-installed, if you install a new one however you will be able to use this button to permanently remove it.
You will also see that some of the extensions have a button next to their Remove button that looks like this:
Clicking this button will enable you to alter the configuration for the extension in question (it should launch a settings window).
The online view enables you to also do similar (though it also allows you to remove/uninstall pre-installed extensions, so tread carefully - though of course you will be able to re-install them again).
Updating extensions
The gnome-tweak-tool does not support the upgrading of extensions through its interface (though in future it is planned for the whole web interface to be scrapped and for it all to be done through gnome-software), if a new version of an extension comes out and you wish to upgrade to it you may do so by going here and clicking upgrade button next to the ON/OFF slider (if there is no upgrade button then the extension is already up-to-date):
You will then be prompted if you would like to Upgrade the said extension, pressing Upgrade will upgrade it, however pressing the Cancel button will disable or possibly even uninstall it so that you will need to reinstall or reactivate it again.
Tips and Tricks:
Right-clicking on the Activities Overview button (or Activities as it is normally called on the button) will bring up a window specifically dedicated to your GNOME Shell extensions:
This process should work for all those using GNOME 3.4+.
Gnome-shell extensions can be installed from the Gnome-shell extensions web page. The site is: https://extensions.gnome.org/
To install an extension click on the extension and then you will go a page describing the extension.
In that page you can see a slider switch. Turn on the slider if you want to install the extension. Then you will see a prompt to install the extension.
Once you're on Installed extensions tab, you can upgrade any extension, disable and bring settings directly from the browser.
Updating:
You can find the update button next to the extension name when there is an update available.
Click that button to update. You'll get a prompt similar to the one you get when you installed the extension asking the permission to install the extension. click on the Install button (Yes, it's not Update) to install the updated extension.
Using extension settings
Though you can use gnome-tweak-tool, you can alo bring up the extension settings window from the site if the extension provides one. Just click on the small wrench icon. A settings windows should appear as shown in the following screenshot.
Deleting an extension
You can also delete an extension from the site provided that it didn't come with gnome-shell by default (which makes them installed into the system area).
Clicking the red cross mark should uninstall the extension.
In Ubuntu 20.04 and later several popular GNOME Shell extensions are installed by default. These preinstalled extensions can be enabled from the Tweaks application by installing the gnome-shell-extensions package.
Re-login from your Ubuntu desktop. Then open the Tweaks application and select Extensions from the list of categories on the left side. You can try a preinstalled GNOME Shell extension by toggling the extension's slider button from ON to OFF and toggle it back to disable it as shown in the below screenshot.
Many GNOME Shell Extensions that are not installed by default can be installed by apt from the default Ubuntu repositories. To print a list of the available GNOME Shell Extensions and their installed status run the following command:
apt policy gnome-shell-extension-*
Ubuntu 18.04
In Ubuntu 18.04 GNOME Shell Extensions can be installed from the Ubuntu Software app. Do a keyword search for "GNOME shell extensions" and the type of app you are searching for.
You can also search from all of the available GNOME Shell Extensions on the same screen by pressing Add-ons button which is located under the Categories heading. In the Add-ons screen select the Shell Extensions tab and you will see all the available GNOME Shell Extensions.
Clicking on a GNOME Shell Extension in the list of search results will bring up its screen which will often show screenshot(s).
Clicking on the Website button will open its website in a web browser where you can view a larger sized image of the same screenshot that was shown in Ubuntu Software.
Clicking on the Install button will install the extension.
The gnome-shell-extension-tool package in the default Ubuntu repositories is a tool for managing your installed GNOME Shell extensions.
gnome-shell-extension-tool is provided by the gnome-shell package. For 19.10 and later use gnome-extensions instead of gnome-shell-extension-tool:
Results of gnome-shell-extension-tool --help :
Usage: gnome-shell-extension-tool [options] [extension-name]
Options:
-h, --help show this help message and exit
-d DISABLE, --disable-extension=DISABLE
Disable a GNOME Shell extension
-e ENABLE, --enable-extension=ENABLE
Enable a GNOME Shell extension
-c, --create-extension
Create a new GNOME Shell extension
-r RELOAD, --reload-extension=RELOAD
Reload a GNOME Shell extension
The GNOME website has an Extensions section set up, which is currently in its Beta phase. It promises easy installation of extensions, and management of installed ones, through a web interface.
The extension installation feature is removed from GNOME Tweaks (since v3.26, the one in Ubuntu 17.10 if I remember correctly).
To manually install extensions, simply extract the archive you got from the official site and copy/move the extension folder (usually of the form extension-name@developer-info) to your ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/ directory. Then re-login (or restart GNOME shell). The extension should appear in the (GNOME) Tweaks now. Activate it from there.
Go to the gnome-shell extensions page using a supported browser (that is not totally secured to anything running on or coming from the web).
Like the stock gnome-browser or a clean install of Firefox should work as well. I sometimes had issues installing extensions using Google Chrome or Midori.
Filter by "Supported by: Current Version"
Click the toggle-Button of the Extension you want
A "install this extension"-question should pop up. Confirm.
In rare cases you need to reload the gnome-shell to make a new extension work without issues (RARE!) - open the gnome-shell run dialogue (Alt+F2) - if not set check Alt+F2 doesn't display the Run Command Prompt in GNOME Shell), type in r and hit Enter.
I have been going crazy trying to get this to work on a clean installation of ubuntu gnome 14.04. I have found the solution.
Open Firefix.
Go to addons (about:addons).
Under the plugins, you will see Gnome Shell Integration.
Select that and change the activation options to ALWAYS ACTIVATE.
I then closed out firefox and then reopened. When I went back to http://addons.mozilla.org. I was able to install the extensions (The slider stayed in the on position. The extension did show up in the tweak tool after that. I hope this helps. I have read so many answers and tried so many things. I am just happy that I figured it out and I'm able to share it with everyone.
Here is quick list of versions so you can verify against yours.
Clean install of Ubuntu Gnome 14.04
Firefox 34. Version that was installed during installation.
In order to install an extension you are required to have the
gnome-tweak-toolinstalled, this should be installed by default on most modern Ubuntu GNOME versions, however if it is not you can install it by running the following:With the
gnome-tweak-toolcome some pre-installed but not pre-enabled extensions, you can view these by opening thegnome-tweak-tool(you can either run this in Terminal (CTRL + ALT + T) or you can search forTweak Toolin the Activities Overview) and going to theExtensionssection.Browser preparations (installing and updating)
Firefox
Version 52+
Since Firefox version 52 NPAPI plugin support has been removed so plugins like the
GNOME Shell Integrationplugin and Java etc won't work. So if you wish to install a new extension which isn't already installed then you will need a two-part solution:Native host messaging application:
The GNOME Shell Integration Firefox plugin.
After you have installed both of these you will need to restart your browser for the changes to take effect. Then you will be able to browse and install GNOME extensions from here.
Below version 52
If you wish to install a new extension which is not already pre-installed go here in Firefox and make sure that the
GNOME Shell Integrationplugin is enabled. So either go hereabout:addons(enter this into the URL bar and press ENTER), go to thePluginssection, and make sure that theGNOME Shell Integrationplugin is set toAlways Activate, or do the same but instead set it toAsk to Activateand then when you visit the GNOME extensions website make sure you either clickAllow Nowevery time, or pressAllow and Remember(you will need to click the little lego brick to get this dialog - the brick shown in the screenshot below):Enabling this plugin allows the website to detect your GNOME version as well as to install and manage your extensions. The plugin should be installed by default in Firefox 52 and below on Ubuntu GNOME.
Chrome and Chromium
(and some other Chromium-based browsers including Vivaldi)
Since NPAPI plugin support is not available in these browsers either you will need a two-part solution:
Native host messaging application:
The GNOME Shell Integration Chrome plugin.
After you have installed both of these you will need to restart your browser for the changes to take effect. Then you will be able to browse and install GNOME extensions from here.
Partial source: How To Install GNOME Extensions Using Google Chrome or Vivaldi
Epiphany (GNOME Web)
The native GNOME "Web" browser Epiphany still supports NPAPI plugins and has the necessary GNOME extensions plugin pre-installed and thus there is no need to do any setting up with it.
If it is not already installed then it can be installed with:
Installing a new extension
The most popular extensions will be displayed on the initial page you get to, you may however choose to sort page contents and search results using the
Name,Recent, andDownloadsfilters. You can also choose to display results forAll versionsas opposed to just theCurrent versionyou are running (attempting to install extensions not compatible with your version of GNOME will result in a silent failure - the operation will not be successful but you will not be notified of this in any way - though extensions which are not compatible will be slightly greyed out in the results list so you will still be able to tell even with theAll versionsfilter selected).The different filters I mentioned above are accessibly through the relevant pull-down menus (I have put a red box around the settings in question):
You can also use the search box to find extensions, once you have found an extension you wish to install (if you are concerned about the safety of the extensions then you should read this information on the review process - go to the
Are GNOME Shell extensions safe?section - extensions have to go through before they are accepted onto the website), click on its name in the search results, then once you are on its page click theON/OFFslider next to its name (as done above in thegnome-tweak-tool), you will get a dialog prompting you if you wish to install the said extension, if you do, pressInstall, if you have changed your mind, pressCancel.If you do not get such a dialog, you have just stumbled across one of your pre-installed extensions and activated it!
Once making changes to your installed/activated extensions from the website you will need to restart the
gnome-tweak-toolin order for it to register the changes.Managing extensions
In order to activate an extension click on the
ON/OFFslider next to its name and description so that its status changes fromOFFtoON, (and visa-versa to deactivate it).You will see that the pre-installed extensions have a greyed out
Removebutton next to each of them, this is greyed out because they are pre-installed, if you install a new one however you will be able to use this button to permanently remove it.You will also see that some of the extensions have a button next to their
Removebutton that looks like this:Clicking this button will enable you to alter the configuration for the extension in question (it should launch a settings window).
The online view enables you to also do similar (though it also allows you to remove/uninstall pre-installed extensions, so tread carefully - though of course you will be able to re-install them again).
Updating extensions
The
gnome-tweak-tooldoes not support the upgrading of extensions through its interface (though in future it is planned for the whole web interface to be scrapped and for it all to be done throughgnome-software), if a new version of an extension comes out and you wish to upgrade to it you may do so by going here and clicking upgrade button next to theON/OFFslider (if there is no upgrade button then the extension is already up-to-date):You will then be prompted if you would like to
Upgradethe said extension, pressingUpgradewill upgrade it, however pressing theCancelbutton will disable or possibly even uninstall it so that you will need to reinstall or reactivate it again.Tips and Tricks:
Right-clicking on the
Activities Overviewbutton (orActivitiesas it is normally called on the button) will bring up a window specifically dedicated to your GNOME Shell extensions:This process should work for all those using GNOME 3.4+.
Gnome-shell extensions can be installed from the Gnome-shell extensions web page. The site is: https://extensions.gnome.org/
To install an extension click on the extension and then you will go a page describing the extension.
In that page you can see a slider switch. Turn on the slider if you want to install the extension. Then you will see a prompt to install the extension.
The installed extensions can be managed from https://extensions.gnome.org/local/
Once you're on Installed extensions tab, you can upgrade any extension, disable and bring settings directly from the browser.
Updating:
You can find the update button next to the extension name when there is an update available.
Click that button to update. You'll get a prompt similar to the one you get when you installed the extension asking the permission to install the extension. click on the Install button (Yes, it's not Update) to install the updated extension.
Using extension settings
Though you can use gnome-tweak-tool, you can alo bring up the extension settings window from the site if the extension provides one. Just click on the small wrench icon. A settings windows should appear as shown in the following screenshot.
Deleting an extension
You can also delete an extension from the site provided that it didn't come with gnome-shell by default (which makes them installed into the system area).
Clicking the red cross mark should uninstall the extension.
Ubuntu 20.04 and later
In Ubuntu 20.04 and later several popular GNOME Shell extensions are installed by default. These preinstalled extensions can be enabled from the Tweaks application by installing the gnome-shell-extensions package.
Re-login from your Ubuntu desktop. Then open the Tweaks application and select Extensions from the list of categories on the left side. You can try a preinstalled GNOME Shell extension by toggling the extension's slider button from ON to OFF and toggle it back to disable it as shown in the below screenshot.
Many GNOME Shell Extensions that are not installed by default can be installed by apt from the default Ubuntu repositories. To print a list of the available GNOME Shell Extensions and their installed status run the following command:
Ubuntu 18.04
In Ubuntu 18.04 GNOME Shell Extensions can be installed from the Ubuntu Software app. Do a keyword search for "GNOME shell extensions" and the type of app you are searching for.
You can also search from all of the available GNOME Shell Extensions on the same screen by pressing Add-ons button which is located under the Categories heading. In the Add-ons screen select the Shell Extensions tab and you will see all the available GNOME Shell Extensions.
Clicking on a GNOME Shell Extension in the list of search results will bring up its screen which will often show screenshot(s).
Clicking on the Website button will open its website in a web browser where you can view a larger sized image of the same screenshot that was shown in Ubuntu Software.
Clicking on the Install button will install the extension.
The gnome-shell-extension-tool package in the default Ubuntu repositories is a tool for managing your installed GNOME Shell extensions.
gnome-shell-extension-tool is provided by the gnome-shell package. For 19.10 and later use gnome-extensions instead of gnome-shell-extension-tool:
Results of
gnome-shell-extension-tool --help:The GNOME website has an Extensions section set up, which is currently in its Beta phase. It promises easy installation of extensions, and management of installed ones, through a web interface.
The site can be accessed here: https://extensions.gnome.org/
The extension installation feature is removed from GNOME Tweaks (since v3.26, the one in Ubuntu 17.10 if I remember correctly).
To manually install extensions, simply extract the archive you got from the official site and copy/move the extension folder (usually of the form
extension-name@developer-info) to your~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/directory. Then re-login (or restart GNOME shell). The extension should appear in the (GNOME) Tweaks now. Activate it from there.Go to the gnome-shell extensions page using a supported browser (that is not totally secured to anything running on or coming from the web).
Like the stock gnome-browser or a clean install of Firefox should work as well. I sometimes had issues installing extensions using Google Chrome or Midori.
Filter by "Supported by: Current Version"
Click the toggle-Button of the Extension you want
A "install this extension"-question should pop up. Confirm.
In rare cases you need to reload the gnome-shell to make a new extension work without issues (RARE!) - open the gnome-shell run dialogue (Alt+F2) - if not set check Alt+F2 doesn't display the Run Command Prompt in GNOME Shell), type in
rand hit Enter.I have been going crazy trying to get this to work on a clean installation of ubuntu gnome 14.04. I have found the solution.
about:addons).I then closed out firefox and then reopened. When I went back to http://addons.mozilla.org. I was able to install the extensions (The slider stayed in the on position. The extension did show up in the tweak tool after that. I hope this helps. I have read so many answers and tried so many things. I am just happy that I figured it out and I'm able to share it with everyone. Here is quick list of versions so you can verify against yours.
Clean install of Ubuntu Gnome 14.04 Firefox 34. Version that was installed during installation.
You can directly execute the extension selection application with the following command:
activate the extension and then press Alt + F2, on the command line enter
rand press Enter.This method can present problems:
When you restart the GNOME shell (Alt + F2,
r) the extensions may stop working. (Example: Dash-to-Panel).If you use the command
gnome-shell-extension-prefs, in the application that opens, the extensions may appear as not activated.