SUPERCHARGE KDE with these tricks, tools, apps, and widgets!

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to enhance your KDE experience by implementing various tips, tricks, tools, and widgets. Whether you're a new user or a seasoned Linux veteran, these enhancements can improve your productivity and overall user experience on the KDE desktop environment.

Step 1: Fix Bad Icons in the Taskbar

• Open your system settings.
• Navigate to the "Icons" section.
• Choose a different icon theme to resolve any display issues.
• Apply the changes and restart your session if necessary.

Step 2: Open Anything with the Super Key

• Set up KRunner to launch with the Super key using the following command:

  kwriteconfig5 --file kwinrc --group ModifierOnlyShortcuts --key Meta "org.kde.krunner,/App,,toggleDisplay"
  

• Apply the changes by running:

  qdbus org.kde.KWin /KWin reconfigure
  

• Now, pressing the Super key opens KRunner for quick access to applications and files.

Step 3: Configure Windows for Specific Apps

• Right-click on the window title bar of the application.
• Select "More Actions" and then "Configure Special Application Settings."
• Here, you can set rules for how the application behaves, such as its size and position on the screen.

Step 4: Resize Windows Easily

• Use keyboard shortcuts to resize windows quickly:
  • Alt + Right Mouse Button: Click and drag to resize.
  • Ctrl + Alt + Arrow Keys: Resize the window in the direction of the arrow.

Step 5: Zoom In and Out

• You can zoom in and out on your desktop by holding the Ctrl key and scrolling the mouse wheel.
• For specific applications, check if they support zooming via keyboard shortcuts or menu options.

Step 6: Clipboard Management

• Install a clipboard manager to keep track of your copied items.
• Applications like Klipper or CopyQ can enhance your clipboard functionality, allowing you to access previous clipboard entries.

Step 7: Use the Hidden App Launcher

• Access the hidden app launcher by pressing the Super key and typing the name of the application.
• This allows for quick launching without navigating through menus.

Step 8: Drag and Drop to Sticky Notes

• Open your sticky notes application.
• You can drag text or files directly onto the sticky note for easy access and organization.

Step 9: Favorite KDE Note Taking App

• Consider using a note-taking application like Joplin or Zim.
• Install your favorite app and configure it to suit your workflow.

Step 10: Plasma Widgets

• Right-click on the desktop and select "Add Widgets."
• Browse through various widgets to enhance your desktop, such as weather updates, clocks, and system monitors.
• Drag your favorites onto the desktop for easy access.

Step 11: KDE Connect

• Install KDE Connect on your mobile device and your Linux machine.
• Pair your devices to share notifications, files, and even control media playback remotely.

Step 12: Stamp PDFs

• Use tools like Okular for annotating and stamping PDFs.
• Open your PDF in Okular, use the annotation tools to add stamps, and save your changes.

Step 13: Drag and Drop in Dolphin

• Open Dolphin file manager.
• Use drag-and-drop functionality to organize files and folders easily.

Step 14: Save Searches

• In Dolphin, perform a search for the files you need.
• Use the "Save Search" option to create a saved search for quick access in the future.

Step 15: Customize System Monitor

• Right-click on the system monitor widget on your desktop.
• Select "Configure" to customize the displayed information according to your needs.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can significantly enhance your KDE environment to be more efficient and user-friendly. Explore these features and find the combination that works best for you. Don't hesitate to experiment with different settings and tools to tailor your Linux experience further. Happy customizing!