Developer console

Press Alt+F2 to open the console in an unlocked Gnoblin session. Choose JavaScript or Lua using the tabs above the prompt.

Disable the Alt+F2 binding in ~/.config/gnoblin/init.lua with:

gnoblin.configure {
    shortcuts = {
        ["disable-run-dialog"] = {
            action = "gnome:shell.panel_run_dialog",
            binding = {},
        },
    },
}

Live edits affect the session but do not write your config file.

Controls

Key or command	Action
Enter	Evaluate, or accept a selected suggestion
Shift+Enter	Insert a newline
Up/Down, Tab	Select and accept suggestions
Ctrl+L	Clear output, keeping variables
Escape	Dismiss suggestions, then close
Alt+F2	Close immediately
F1 or :help	Show help
:reset	Reset both language contexts

The console closes on lock. Each language keeps its own unfinished input and state.

Try JavaScript

windows();
const config = gnoblin.get();
config.shell["layer-duration"] = 350;
gnoblin.apply(config);
gnoblin.undo();
gnoblin.reload();

gnoblin.get() returns a copy of the effective config. For several changes, modify that copy and pass it to gnoblin.apply(document).

The context exposes global, Main and GNOME libraries. It supports retained bindings and top-level await. Previous results are available through r(id) and $_.

Try Lua

gnoblin.configure {
    shell = {layer_duration = 350},
}

Then submit :apply to validate and apply the working copy. Nothing applies merely because you type it.

Global variables remain available for later submissions. A local variable is available only within the submission that creates it. Lua uses the restricted config runtime. Module paths resolve from the active config root.

Undo and reload

Command	Result
:apply	Apply the Lua working copy
:undo	Undo a live change; up to 50 retained
:reload	Reload from disk and reset the Lua context
:reset	Clear variables and inspection handles; keep session settings

File reload discards live changes and undo history. Lua keeps a separate working copy. After changing settings through JavaScript or the config file, use :reload before editing in Lua again so you do not apply an outdated copy.

Live edits support rules, animations, shortcuts and permissions. Saved feature preferences, autostart, renderer services and startup protocols must be changed in the file instead.

Inspect values

Expand an object or table to inspect it. Properties load in pages of 100. Circular references are marked; mutable values are read when expanded.

JavaScript getters run only when clicked and may change state. Lua inspection reads raw table entries without invoking metamethods. Reset releases retained inspection handles.

Completion and parameter help use runtime API metadata. They provide syntax assistance, not static type checking.

Developing the console

After Sass changes:

ninja -C build/gnome-shell data/gnome-shell-theme.gresource
meson install -C build/gnome-shell --no-rebuild
just test-developer-console