Install GNOME extension using command line

Generally, Ubuntu/Gnome user don’t know about gnome extensions and gnome extensions store.

Know you are using gnome

First of all you need to “are you using gnome or other desktop, If you are using gnome which version you are using” here is command to check which desktop environment you are using.

ps -e | grep -E -i "xfce|kde|gnome"

or

ls /usr/share/xsessions/

If you get gnome means you are on gnome desktop environment. Ubuntu 17 and 18 shift with Gnome.

Know your gnome version

by run the following command you will get which gnome version you are using which further help you to download a extension.

gnome-shell --version

How to install gnome extension using command line

Download a extension from gnome extension store, search your require extension.

Select gnome-shell version which installed in your system gnome-shell --version and select latest extension version.

Extension version selection will start download automatically.

Now you need know downloaded extension’s UUID. Following command will help you to find UUID.

UUID is extension indemnification id.

# move to directory where you downloaded the extension.
cd ~/Downloads/
# Find UUID replace <extension zip file name> with your download zip file copy it
unzip -c <extension zip file name> metadata.json | grep uuid | cut -d \" -f4

This command will return UUID copy it.

Create extension directory in gnome-shell

# paste copied UUID instead of <UUID>
mkdir -p ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/<UUID>

Now, Unzip extension in created directory.

# Do not forget to replace UUID
cd ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/<UUID>
unzip -q ~/Downloads/<extension zip file name> -d ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/<UUID>/

Finally, Run this command with UUID to get extension in running mode.
This command will enable your extension.

# Do not forget to replace UUID
gnome-shell-extension-tool -e <UUID>

Enjoy, Gnome extension