[Pantheon](https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=152930) is the default desktop environment originally created for the [elementary OS](http://elementary.io/) distribution. It is written from scratch using [Vala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vala_(programming_language) and the GTK3 toolkit. With regards to usability and appearance, the desktop has some similarities with [GNOME](/index.php/GNOME "GNOME") Shell and macOS.

## Contents

*   [1 Project Status](#Project_Status)
*   [2 Installation](#Installation)
    *   [2.1 Unofficial repository](#Unofficial_repository)
    *   [2.2 Desktop Environment](#Desktop_Environment)
    *   [2.3 Services and Configuration](#Services_and_Configuration)
    *   [2.4 Theme](#Theme)
    *   [2.5 Applications](#Applications)
*   [3 Launching Pantheon](#Launching_Pantheon)
    *   [3.1 Via Display manager](#Via_Display_manager)
        *   [3.1.1 Autostart applications with a display manager](#Autostart_applications_with_a_display_manager)
    *   [3.2 Via xinit](#Via_xinit)
        *   [3.2.1 Autostart applications with *xinit*](#Autostart_applications_with_xinit)
*   [4 Configuration](#Configuration)
    *   [4.1 Wingpanel](#Wingpanel)
        *   [4.1.1 Third-party indicators](#Third-party_indicators)
        *   [4.1.2 Indicator-session menus unresponsive](#Indicator-session_menus_unresponsive)
    *   [4.2 Plank](#Plank)
        *   [4.2.1 Adding new application icons](#Adding_new_application_icons)
    *   [4.3 Pantheon Files](#Pantheon_Files)
        *   [4.3.1 Enable context menu entries](#Enable_context_menu_entries)
    *   [4.4 Terminal](#Terminal)
        *   [4.4.1 Opacity](#Opacity)
*   [5 Known Issues](#Known_Issues)
    *   [5.1 Appearance](#Appearance)
        *   [5.1.1 Pantheon-terminal transparency](#Pantheon-terminal_transparency)
        *   [5.1.2 Wingpanel transparency](#Wingpanel_transparency)

## Project Status

Although the [elementary OS](https://elementary.io/) release schedule and toolchain are bound to [Ubuntu's](/index.php/Arch_compared_to_other_distributions#Ubuntu "Arch compared to other distributions") LTS release cycle, [development](https://plus.google.com/communities/104613975513761463450) moves quickly and has recently moved to [github](https://github.com/elementary).

## Installation

**Warning:** Installing [pantheon-git-meta](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-git-meta/) is *not* a recommended method. This package attempts to install the entire desktop environment and software suite, with all extras, all at once and is likely to fail as some packages may not build.

### Unofficial repository

[Alucryd's unofficial repo](https://github.com/alucryd/aur-alucryd/tree/master/pantheon) contains more and more up-to-date packages than the few available in [community](/index.php/Community "Community"). To use it add the following lines at the top of your sources in `/etc/pacman.conf`:

```
[pantheon]
SigLevel = Optional
Server = https://pkgbuild.com/~alucryd/$repo/$arch

```

**Note:** The PKGBUILDs for these packages are also available in the [AUR](/index.php/AUR "AUR").

### Desktop Environment

For the minimal Pantheon shell, install [pantheon-session-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-session-git/), which pulls--among other dependencies--the core components:

*   [cerbere-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/cerbere-git/): Watchdog service; restarts core components if they crash.
*   [gala-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/gala-git/): Window and composting manager
*   [wingpanel-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel-git/): Top panel (holds the launcher, clock, and indicators)
*   [pantheon-applications-menu-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-applications-menu-git/): Application launcher formerly known as "Slingshot"
*   [plank](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=plank): macOS-style Dock

### Services and Configuration

These packages provide background services and default settings for Pantheon and elementary OS applications:

*   [pantheon-default-settings-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-default-settings-git/): Default appearance, behavior, and configuration; pulls in theme packages [elementary-icon-theme](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=elementary-icon-theme), [gtk-theme-elementary-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/gtk-theme-elementary-git/), and [elementary-wallpapers-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/elementary-wallpapers-git/)
*   [gnome-settings-daemon-elementary](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/gnome-settings-daemon-elementary/): A patched [gnome-settings-daemon-ubuntu](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/gnome-settings-daemon-ubuntu/) required by [pantheon-dpms-helper-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-dpms-helper-git/) and [wingpanel-indicator-power-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel-indicator-power-git/)
*   [pantheon-print-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-print-git/): Print settings dialog
*   [pantheon-polkit-agent-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-polkit-agent-git/): Polkit authentication agent

### Theme

These packages contribute to the look and feel of the desktop:

*   [elementary-icon-theme](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=elementary-icon-theme) or [elementary-icon-theme-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/elementary-icon-theme-git/): Icon theme designed to be smooth, sexy, clear, and efficient (development version)
*   [lightdm-pantheon-greeter](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/lightdm-pantheon-greeter/) or [lightdm-pantheon-greeter-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/lightdm-pantheon-greeter-git/): LightDM greeter

It is also recommended to install the following fonts:

*   [ttf-opensans](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/ttf-opensans/): Open Sans Fonts
*   [ttf-raleway](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/ttf-raleway/): Raleway Font
*   [ttf-dejavu](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=ttf-dejavu): Font family based on the Bitstream Vera Fonts
*   [ttf-droid](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=ttf-droid): General-purpose fonts released by Google as part of Android
*   [ttf-freefont](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=ttf-freefont): Set of free outline fonts covering the Unicode character set
*   [ttf-liberation](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=ttf-liberation): Red Hats Liberation fonts

### Applications

These are some of the original, patched, and selected packages that comprise the elementary OS software suite:

*   [pantheon-files](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=pantheon-files) or [pantheon-files-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-files-git/): File explorer developed from Marlin
*   [pantheon-terminal](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=pantheon-terminal) or [pantheon-terminal-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-terminal-git/): Terminal emulator
*   [scratch-text-editor](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=scratch-text-editor) or [pantheon-code-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-code-git/): Text editor formerly known as "Scratch"
*   [pantheon-calculator](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-calculator/) or [pantheon-calculator-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-calculator-git/): Calculator
*   [pantheon-music](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=pantheon-music) or [pantheon-music-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-music-git/): Audio player formerly known as "Noise"
*   [pantheon-videos](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=pantheon-videos) or [pantheon-videos-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-videos-git/): Video player formerly known as "Audience"
*   [pantheon-calendar-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-calendar-git/): Calendar application formerly known as "Maya", integrates with [wingpanel-indicator-datetime-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel-indicator-datetime-git/)
*   [epiphany-pantheon-bzr](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/epiphany-pantheon-bzr/): Web browser replacing [midori-granite](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/midori-granite/)
*   [pantheon-mail-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-mail-git/): Email client developed from [geary](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=geary)
*   [pantheon-screenshot](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-screenshot/) or [pantheon-screenshot-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-screenshot-git/): Screenshot tool
*   [eidete-bzr](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/eidete-bzr/): Simple screencaster
*   [pantheon-photos](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=pantheon-photos) or [pantheon-photos-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-photos-git/): Photo manager developed from [shotwell](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=shotwell)
*   [pantheon-camera-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-camera-git/): Webcam app developed from [snap-photobooth](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/snap-photobooth/)
*   [elementary-scan-bzr](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/elementary-scan-bzr/): Simple scan utility (does not build)
*   [switchboard](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/switchboard/) or [switchboard-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/switchboard-git/): Pluggable settings manager similar to [gnome-control-center](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=gnome-control-center)

## Launching Pantheon

### Via [Display manager](/index.php/Display_manager "Display manager")

[pantheon-session-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-session-git/) provides a [gnome-session](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=gnome-session) entry for display managers such as [gdm](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=gdm) or [lightdm](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=lightdm).

#### Autostart applications with a display manager

Pantheon is a gnome-session, and as such implements [XDG Autostart](/index.php/GNOME#Autostart "GNOME").

### Via [xinit](/index.php/Xinit "Xinit")

Alternatively, you can use `~/.xinitrc` to launch the Pantheon shell, by adding `exec cerbere` to the end of the file.

#### Autostart applications with *xinit*

For applications which do not provide a [systemd unit](/index.php/Systemd#Using_units "Systemd"), consider these options:

*   Run once when X starts:

	Add it to your [`~/.xinitrc`](#Via_xinit) [Shell](/index.php/Shell "Shell") script, before the `exec cerbere` line.

*   Keep running in the background:

	Add it to the [dconf key](#Configuration) `org.pantheon.desktop.cerbere.monitored-processes`.

	Should the process stop, [cerbere](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/cerbere/) will respawn it.

*   Launch from a [.desktop](/index.php/.desktop ".desktop") file:

	Use a program like [dapper](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/dapper/), [dex-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/dex-git/), or [fbautostart](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/fbautostart/) to implement [XDG Autostart](/index.php/XDG_Autostart "XDG Autostart").

## Configuration

Configure Pantheon via [switchboard](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/switchboard/) or [switchboard-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/switchboard-git/) and its plugs (*switchboard-plug-**), which must be installed separately. Not all of [gnome-control-center](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=gnome-control-center)'s settings panels have been ported. In addition, except [plank](/index.php/Plank "Plank"), all the Pantheon components store their configuration in the `org.pantheon` or `io.elementary` [gsettings keys](/index.php/GNOME#Configuration "GNOME"), which can be edited with [dconf-editor](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=dconf-editor).

**Note:** [switchboard-plug-elementary-tweaks-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/switchboard-plug-elementary-tweaks-git/) provides easy access to [customizations for various aspects of the Pantheon desktop and applications](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/elementary-tweaks/elementary-tweaks/master/docs/screenshot.png), similar to [gnome-tweaks](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=gnome-tweaks).

### Wingpanel

Wingpanel does not come with any indicators; they must be installed separately.

At the minimum, you'll probably want to install:

*   [slingshot-launcher](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/slingshot-launcher/) or [pantheon-applications-menu-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-applications-menu-git/): Applications menu and "Run" dialog
*   [wingpanel-indicator-datetime](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel-indicator-datetime/) or [wingpanel-indicator-datetime-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel-indicator-datetime-git/): Clock and calendar widget
*   [wingpanel-indicator-session](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel-indicator-session/) or [wingpanel-indicator-session-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel-indicator-session-git/): User and session menu (Switch user, Logout, Shutdown, etc.)

**Note:** [wingpanel](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel/) supports [Ayatana indicators](/index.php/Unity "Unity"), while [wingpanel-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel-git/) has native indicators (*wingpanel-indicator-*-git*).

#### Third-party indicators

*   If launched by a [display manager](#Via_Display_manager), append `Pantheon;` to `OnlyShowIn=` in third-party indicators' [*.desktop files](/index.php/XDG_Autostart "XDG Autostart")

*   If launched by [~/.xinitrc](#Via_xinit), add third-party indicators to one of the start-up methods described [above](#Launching_Pantheon).

*   [Ayatana Indicators](/index.php/Unity "Unity") require [wingpanel-indicator-ayatana](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel-indicator-ayatana/) or [wingpanel-indicator-ayatana-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel-indicator-ayatana-git/) to appear in [wingpanel-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel-git/).

#### Indicator-session menus unresponsive

*   [indicator-session](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/indicator-session/) relies on dbus methods provided by [Unity](/index.php/Unity "Unity") for most of its functions and fails to fallback to gnome or systemd methods in its absence.

*   [wingpanel-indicator-session-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/wingpanel-indicator-session-git/) needs [light-locker](/index.php/Light-locker "Light-locker") or [xscreensaver-dbus-screenlock](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/xscreensaver-dbus-screenlock/) installed for the `Lock` menu item.

### Plank

#### Adding new application icons

Either drag and drop a desktop file on to the dock, or right click on a running application and select "Keep in dock". You can then reorder icons by drag and drop.

**Note:** Plank stores .dockitem launchers in `~/.config/plank/` and configuration in the gsettings key `net.launchpad.plank`

### Pantheon Files

#### Enable context menu entries

If you want to enable context menu entries such as for [file-roller](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=file-roller) to extract/compress archives, then you have to additionally install [contractor](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=contractor) or [contractor-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/contractor-git/).

### Terminal

#### Opacity

To make [pantheon-terminal](https://www.archlinux.org/packages/?name=pantheon-terminal) (semi-)transparent, [set the dconf key](#Configuration) `org.pantheon.terminal.settings.opacity` to your desired opacity; for [pantheon-terminal-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pantheon-terminal-git/), the background color and transparency are set by `io.elementary.terminal.settings.background`.

## Known Issues

### Appearance

#### Pantheon-terminal transparency

Transparency in pantheon-terminal is not yet fully functional with GTK themes other than the elmentary OS theme. Either use [gtk-theme-elementary](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/gtk-theme-elementary/), [gtk-theme-elementary-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/gtk-theme-elementary-git/) or add [this](http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~elementary-design/egtk/4.x/revision/210) code to your theme or the override file in `~/.config/gtk-3.0/gtk.css`.

#### Wingpanel transparency

Wingpanel is transparent by design when using [gtk-theme-elementary](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/gtk-theme-elementary/) or [gtk-theme-elementary-git](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/gtk-theme-elementary-git/), and becomes opaque when a maximized window occupies your screen. However, using other GTK themes will produce a solid panel most of the time.

To achieve the former behavior within other themes, add the following lines to the end of its css or the override file in `~/.config/gtk-3.0/gtk.css`:

```
/*********************
 * wingpanel support *
 ********************/
.panel {
    background-color: transparent;
    transition: all 1s ease-in-out;
}

.panel.maximized {
    background-color: #000;
}

```