Free and open source • MIT

Press `Alt`+`Space`.
Type. Hit `Enter`.

A small, fast Spotlight-style launcher for GNOME. Apps first, files second, web searches when you ask.

Install View on GitHub

glimbeam open with the query “set”, listing Settings, Security Center, Sublime Text, Software Updater and Take a Screenshot

Follows your GNOME style

System Light Dark

< 100 KBbinary

< 10 MBmemory while resident

~1.3 µsper keystroke

GTK + GIOnothing GNOME doesn't ship

Apps first, matched loosely

stg finds Settings, and the matched letters show why. Apps you launch often drift to the top.

Query “stg” matching Settings, with S, t and g highlighted

Files when no app fits

Nothing matches an app? It looks through your home folder instead.

Query “invoice” listing spreadsheet, PDF and document files from the home folder

Web search with `!bangs`

!g, !d, !w, !gh and more, before or after the query. Add your own in one plain text file. URLs open straight away.

Query “!g rust lifetimes” offering a Google search

GNOME's own actions

Lock, screenshot, suspend, log out and power off - named in your desktop's language.

Query “screen” listing Lock Screen and Take a Screenshot

At home on your desktop

Switch GNOME between light and dark and glimbeam follows instantly - even while it's open. Icons come from your icon theme, names from your system language.

Install

Ubuntu 22.04 or newer, and other GNOME desktops on X11 or Wayland.

Ubuntu / Debian

wget https://github.com/michev/glimbeam/releases/latest/download/glimbeam_amd64.deb
sudo apt install ./glimbeam_amd64.deb

On ARM, use glimbeam_arm64.deb.

From source

git clone https://github.com/michev/glimbeam
cd glimbeam && ./install.sh

Prefer another shortcut? BINDING='<Super>space' ./install.sh

Then press Alt+Space.

Press Alt+Space.Type. Hit Enter.