> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://book.bsdcn.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://book.bsdcn.org/ask/flat/chapter-10-desktop-environments/di-10.7-jie-gnome.md). # 10.7 GNOME GNOME is a user-oriented desktop environment. It includes panels for launching applications and displaying status, a desktop, local tools and applications, and a set of design specifications that enable applications to work together and maintain consistency. ## GNOME Desktop Environment Overview > **Warning** > > Currently, due to FreeBSD Bugzilla Bug 287955 - x11/gdm: The user cannot log in; the system hangs at the login screen in gdm 47\[EB/OL]. \[2026-04-04]. . GDM cannot run properly and will hang at the login screen; `startx` works normally. > > It runs normally in virtual machines. GNOME was formerly a component of the GNU Project, aimed at building a fully functional desktop environment, and is currently primarily developed and maintained by Red Hat. GNOME is a mainstream desktop environment for Linux and UNIX-like systems, with a clean and modern design. GNOME stands for GNU Network Object Model Environment, originating from the GNU Project; its initial letter G should be pronounced, as /ɡəˈnoʊm/ (similar to "guh-nome"). ## Installing the Complete GNOME Desktop Environment * Install using pkg: ```sh # pkg install xorg gnome noto-sans-sc ``` * Or install using Ports: ```sh # cd /usr/ports/x11/xorg/ && make install clean # cd /usr/ports/x11/gnome/ && make install clean # cd /usr/ports/x11-fonts/noto-sans-sc/ && make install clean ``` ### Package Description | Software | Purpose | | ------------ | --------------------------------- | | xorg | X11 | | gnome | GNOME main program | | noto-sans-sc | Noto Sans SC (Simplified Chinese) | ## Configuration You also need to configure automatic mounting of the procfs file system. Add the following content to the **/etc/fstab** file: ```ini proc /proc procfs rw 0 0 ``` Set the D-Bus service to start on boot: ```sh # service dbus enable ``` Set the GDM display manager to start on boot: ```sh # service gdm enable ``` Execute the following command to write the GNOME session command to the **\~/.xinitrc** file, so that GNOME can be started using the startx command: ```sh $ echo "/usr/local/bin/gnome-session" > ~/.xinitrc ``` ![FreeBSD GNOME](/files/mDRmEREewHf39CtJeWRE) Root login is disabled by default. ![FreeBSD GNOME](/files/FzDbc06nLpcKmDSRUQZt) This is the default wallpaper. ![FreeBSD GNOME](/files/4D6IVS3VCVMAF8Vp5Kfu) ## Configuring the Chinese Environment for the GNOME Desktop The configuration parameters in this section are independent of the user's shell; even if using csh, configure as described below. Open the GDM localization configuration file **/usr/local/etc/gdm/locale.conf** with a text editor and modify the language settings. Replace the existing content as follows: ```ini LANG="zh_CN.UTF-8" # Set the system default language to Simplified Chinese UTF-8 LC_CTYPE="zh_CN.UTF-8" # Set the character type and encoding to Simplified Chinese UTF-8 LC_MESSAGES="zh_CN.UTF-8" # Set the system message display language to Simplified Chinese UTF-8 ``` ## Chinese Input Method Choose either IBus or Fcitx 5. ### IBus The default input method framework used by GNOME is IBus. Install using pkg: ```sh # pkg install zh-ibus-libpinyin ``` Or install using Ports: ```sh # cd /usr/ports/chinese/ibus-libpinyin/ # make install clean ``` After installation, run the initialization command `ibus-setup`. Then: Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources, click "Add Input Source", select "Chinese (China)", and add "Intelligent Pinyin". ### Fcitx 5 Refer to the input method related chapters. > **Warning** > > IBus is a dependency of GNOME; even if you do not use IBus, you cannot uninstall it, otherwise GNOME will be uninstalled as well. ![FreeBSD GNOME](/files/NycZB0jVzYBylwuIcZHT) ## Settings Adjustments Different from Conventional Habits GNOME's design philosophy differs from some users' operational habits, such as not allowing desktop icons and lacking a system tray in the top right corner. ~~Is this similar to how a trash can must not contain trash, a person must not be in bed, a door must not be closed, and nothing must be placed on a table?~~ ### System Optimization Tool Install using pkg: ```sh # pkg install gnome-tweaks ``` Or install using Ports: ```sh # cd /usr/ports/deskutils/gnome-tweaks/ # make install clean ``` ### Restoring Tray Icons in the GNOME Top Bar You need to install the Firefox browser **www/firefox** and the Port **www/chrome-gnome-shell**. [TopIcons Plus](https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1031/topicons/) has not been updated for a long time, so you can only use [AppIndicator and KStatusNotifierItem Support](https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/615/appindicator-support/). ![GNOME Restore Tray Icons in the GNOME Top Bar](/files/V5GjwGUCRYoENwz1MYrQ) ![GNOME Restore Tray Icons in the GNOME Top Bar](/files/XLWHRjm3dOl1pghyUxnu) ![GNOME Restore Tray Icons in the GNOME Top Bar](/files/AySaR6Gex9SpA9PYwFxL) ![GNOME Restore Tray Icons in the GNOME Top Bar](/files/jOgV0uiEqF8sbGVJTanZ) ![GNOME Restore Tray Icons in the GNOME Top Bar](/files/bqKyU9V2W57btkAMOgcK) ![GNOME Restore Tray Icons in the GNOME Top Bar](/files/6tgqJddTf4fWY3rb63vR) #### References * Abhishek Prakash. Getting the Top Indicator Panel Back in GNOME\[EB/OL]. \[2026-03-25]. . Provides detailed steps and extension installation guide for restoring tray icon display in the GNOME top bar. ### Placing Icons on the Desktop The extension [gnome-shell-extension-desktop-icons](https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1465/desktop-icons/) has not been updated for a long time; the project address is: [Desktop Icons](https://gitlab.gnome.org/World/ShellExtensions/desktop-icons). You can use [Desktop Icons NG (DING)](https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/2087/desktop-icons-ng-ding/) as a solution. The installation method is the same as above. ![GNOME Place Icons on Desktop](/files/lmnoUgfrwtAUA1apLBxI) The wallpaper is custom-set; everything else is the default configuration. ## Desktop Theme Customization After installing a desktop environment on FreeBSD, a clean style is adopted. The following content applies to desktop environments based on the GTK library. The following lists some icons and themes; for more resources, visit [FreshPorts](https://www.freshports.org). * GTK Desktop Themes | Theme | Install Command | | ------ | ------------------------------------- | | matcha | `# pkg install matcha-gtk-themes` | | Qogir | `# pkg install qogir-gtk-themes` | | Pop | `# pkg install pop-gtk-themes` | | Flat | `# pkg install flat-remix-gtk-themes` | | Numix | `# pkg install numix-gtk-theme` | | Sierra | `# pkg install sierra-gtk-themes` | | Yaru | `# pkg install yaru-gtk-themes` | | Canta | `# pkg install canta-gtk-themes` | * GTK Desktop Icons | Icons | Install Command | | ------------ | --------------------------------------- | | papirus | `# pkg install papirus-icon-theme` | | Qogir | `# pkg install qogir-icon-themes` | | Pop | `# pkg install pop-icon-theme` | | Flat | `# pkg install flat-remix-icon-themes` | | Numix | `# pkg install numix-icon-theme` | | Numix Circle | `# pkg install numix-icon-theme-circle` | | Yaru | `# pkg install yaru-icon-theme` | | Canta | `# pkg install canta-icon-theme` | ### GNOME Theme Customization The following installs the [WhiteSur](https://www.pling.com/p/1403328/) theme. 1. Download the theme source package: `git clone https://github.com/vinceliuice/WhiteSur-gtk-theme` 2. Enter the theme package directory: `cd WhiteSur-gtk-theme` 3. Modify the shebang: edit the `install.sh` file, change the first line to `#!/usr/local/bin/bash`, then save. 4. Run the installation: `bash install.sh` ### WhiteSur Icons [Icons](https://www.pling.com/p/1405756/) 1. Download the icons: `git clone https://github.com/vinceliuice/WhiteSur-icon-theme` 2. Enter the software directory: `cd WhiteSur-icon-theme` 3. Modify the shebang: edit the `install.sh` file, change the first line to `#!/usr/local/bin/bash`, then save. 4. Run the installation: `bash install.sh` ### Cursors [Cursors](https://www.pling.com/p/1355701/) 1. Download the cursors: `git clone https://github.com/vinceliuice/McMojave-cursors` 2. Enter the software directory: `cd McMojave-cursors` 3. Modify the shebang: edit the `install.sh` file, change the first line to `#!/usr/local/bin/bash`, then save. 4. Run the installation: `bash install.sh` ### Exercise Follow the steps below to install [Papirus Icons](https://www.gnome-look.org/p/1166289/) in the terminal: ```sh $ git clone https://github.com/PapirusDevelopmentTeam/papirus-icon-theme $ cd papirus-icon-theme $ ./install.sh ``` ## Appendix: GNOME Desktop Environment Minimal Installation * Install using pkg: ```sh # pkg install xorg-minimal gnome-lite wqy-fonts xdg-user-dirs ``` * Or install using Ports: ```sh # cd /usr/ports/x11/xorg-minimal/ && make install clean # cd /usr/ports/x11/gnome/ && make FLAVOR=lite install clean # cd /usr/ports/x11-fonts/wqy/ && make install clean # cd /usr/ports/devel/xdg-user-dirs/ && make install clean ``` ### Package Description | Package | Purpose | | -------------- | ------------------------------ | | `xorg-minimal` | Minimal X graphics environment | | `gnome-lite` | Minimal GNOME desktop | ### Slimming Down an Existing Full GNOME Installation If the full version is already installed, you can use pkg to uninstall the bundled games: ```sh # pkg delete gnome-2048 gnome-klotski gnome-tetravex gnome-mines gnome-taquin gnome-sudoku gnome-robots gnome-nibbles lightsoff tali quadrapassel swell-foop gnome-mahjongg five-or-more iagno aisleriot four-in-a-row ``` ![GNOME Minimal Installation](/files/k70uvX2WAhPXygrdQSdQ) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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