Custom Applets

Custom applets are user-owned panel items. Use them when the built-in applets do not show exactly what you want, or when you want a personal launcher, menu, script, or live widget in the panel.

Choose A Path

You want to	Use	Start here
Open an app, URL, folder, script, screenshot tool, or power menu	command	Command Applet
Show changing text, icons, state, or custom popover content	exec	Getting Started

If the applet only needs to run something when you click it, start with a command applet. If it needs to stay alive, update itself, or react to panel events, use an exec applet.

How The Pieces Fit

Custom applets are package files. A package file gives the applet an id, selects its type, and stores the applet-specific options.

For linked and distributed applets, package files live in:

~/.config/glimpse/applets

A command package runs commands directly from the panel. It is best for launchers and small menus.

An exec package starts a program that controls the panel item. The program can send status updates, render popovers, and receive click or scroll events.

Development Flow

For exec applets, the usual flow is:

1. Create a project with Applet Tooling.
2. Run it in development mode.
3. Use the __dev__ panel slot while you iterate.
4. Link the applet when it is ready for local use.

The dev slot shows applets started by the development command. The default panel keeps __dev__ at the end of the left section:

[[panels]]
left = ["pager", "mpris", "__dev__"]

If you replace the default panel layout, keep or add __dev__ wherever you want active development applets to appear.

Recommended Reading

Page	Use it for
Command Applet	Launchers, menus, one-shot actions, and shell examples.
Getting Started	Your first live exec applet.
Applet Tooling	Creating, running, linking local projects, distribution shape, and diagnostics.
Exec Applet	Exec package config, lifecycle, restart behavior, and environment handling.
Exec SDK	Building exec applets in supported languages.
Line Protocol	The raw protocol used by exec applets.
Components	Built-in status and popover component reference.