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# Launch GNOME Shell from the console
- URL: https://mfitzp.ghost.io/debug-gnome-shell/
- Published: 2011-11-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-09T09:05:51.000Z
- Description: Debug Gnome Shell, or run it from the console, either for plugin development or troubleshooting.
- Author: Martin Fitzpatrick
- Tags: Tutorials, Linux, #Import 2024-03-14 08:20, #Import 2026-08-24 14:26

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`