Skip to content

Installation

There are a couple of ways to install Draw On Gnome. This will depend on your version of GNOME.

There are Many GNOME Versions!

To find out your version of GNOME open a terminal and type gnome-shell --version or go to Settings > System > About > System Details(1).

  1. 🙋‍♂️ Another fun way is to use the neofetch program!

Option 1: Install from GNOME Extensions (ver. 48/49)

IMPORTANT!!: Currently, this will only install to GNOMEv48 and v49. If you need the extension for another version of GNOME, see Option 2.

Option 2: Use the Automated Script

This method will work for any version of GNOME from v40 - v49, and v3.24 - v.3.38

  1. Copy the following command to your Bash terminal and press enter to run it:

    bash <(wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/daveprowse/scripts/refs/heads/main/dog-install.sh)

    Warning

    IMPORTANT!! Always check scripts before running them! If you are uncomfortable running the script, or cannot run the script, then install manually with Option #2 below.

    Note: The script will identify your version of GNOME and install the correct version of the extension automatically.

    Note: You may need to enter your sudo password during the install. Make sure you are a sudoer!

  2. When the installation process is complete, logout and log back in.

  3. Then, enable the extension:

    • In the GUI

      • Open the GNOME Extensions App:

        gnome-extensions-app

      • Locate Draw On Gnome and enable it.

        Tip

        You can install the Gnome Extensions App package within your Linux distribution(1).

        1. 🙋‍♂️ For example:
          • in most Linux: sudo dnf install gnome-extensions-app.
          • otherwise: sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions-prefs.

    • In the CLI:

      gnome-extensions enable draw-on-gnome@daveprowse.github.io

      Note

      For GNOME version 45 and older you will need to type:
      gnome-extensions enable draw-on-your-screen3@daveprowse.github.io

  4. Use the tool by pressing Super + Alt + D.

Remember that this extension has a minimalist "look". Everything is controlled via keyboard shortcuts.(1) For basic usage, see this link.

  1. 🙋‍♂️ To view all of the shortcuts while working in the extension press Ctrl + F1.

Have fun!

Option 3: Install Manually from the Release or Repository Branch

For those of you who would rather install manually, find your version of GNOME and follow the directions.

GNOME v49/48

  1. Download or clone the extension.

    Download option:

    wget https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome/releases/download/D.O.G.-ver-1.6/Draw-On-Gnome-ver-1-6.tar.xz

    Then, decompress the tar file:

    tar -xvf Draw-On-GNOME-ver-1-6.tar.xz

    Clone option (GIVES LATEST WORKING VERSION):

    git clone https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome

  2. Place the directory (the one that contains metadata.json) in ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions (If the extensions directory doesn't exist, create it inside of gnome-shell/.)

  3. Change the directory name to draw-on-gnome@daveprowse.github.io

  4. Restart your session:

    • (Wayland) - Log out and log back in
    • (Xorg) - Type alt + F2 and r to restart the gnome-shell

  5. Enable the extension with GNOME Extensions command or application

  6. Super + Alt + D to test. For basic usage, see this link.

Issues? Let us know at this link.

ENJOY!

GNOME v47 and v46

  1. Download the extension.

    Download option:

    wget https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome/releases/download/D.O.G.-ver-1.1/Draw-On-Gnome-ver-1-1.tar.xz

    Then, decompress the tar file:

    tar -xvf Draw-On-GNOME-ver-1-1.tar.xz

Follow steps 2-6 from the procedure above.

GNOME v45

Download or clone this repository branch

  • Download option:

    wget https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome/releases/download/v14.0-GNOME-v45/GNOMEv45.tar.xz

Then, decompress the tar file: tar -xvf GNOMEv45.tar.xz

  • Clone option:

    git clone -b GNOMEv45 https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome

Follow steps 2-6 from the procedure above.

GNOME v42 - 44

Download or clone this repository branch

  • Download option:

    wget https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome/releases/download/v13.0-GNOME-v42-v44/GNOMEv42.tar.xz

    Then, decompress the tar file: tar -xvf GNOMEv42.tar.xz

  • Clone option:

    git clone -b GNOMEv42 https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome

Follow steps 2-6 from the procedure above.

GNOME v3.xx, v40, and v41

Download or clone this repository branch

  • Download option:

    wget https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome/releases/download/v11.2/GNOMEv41.tar.xz

    Then, decompress the tar file: tar -xvf GNOMEv41.tar.xz

  • Clone option:

    git clone -b GNOMEv41 https://github.com/daveprowse/Draw-On-Gnome

Follow steps 2-6 from the procedure above.