Launch GNOME Shell from the console

Debug Gnome Shell, or run it from the console, either for plugin development or troubleshooting.

Launch GNOME Shell from the console

If you want to debug what is happening in the new GNOME Shell you may find it useful to launch it from the console. You can do this as follows –

  • Switch to the console using Ctrl Alt F1
  • Type "w" to find your display (usually it's :0.0)
  • Export your display (usually with export DISPLAY=:0.0)
  • Restart gnome shell from the console by typing gnome-shell --replace
  • Go back to your display using Ctrl Alt F7