cinnamon-extension-tool

cinnamon-extension-tool [OPTION] [UUID]

--enable UUID
    Enable the spice (applet/desklet/extension/LNF) with given UUID

--disable UUID
    Disable the spice with given UUID

--reset UUID
    Reset spice settings to defaults

--list [--applet|--desklet|--extension|--lnf]
    List installed spices; filter by type (default: all)

--reload
    Reload Cinnamon shell and extensions

-h, --help
    Show help usage

--version
    Display version information

The cinnamon-extension-tool is a command-line utility in the Cinnamon desktop environment, used to manage 'spices' such as applets, desklets, extensions, and look & feel (LNF) themes. It enables listing installed components, enabling/disabling them, resetting to defaults, and reloading the shell.

Spices are identified by unique UUIDs, obtainable via the --list option. This tool is ideal for automation, scripting, or headless management of Cinnamon desktops, bypassing the GUI Settings app.

Common workflow: list items with --list [--applet|--desklet|--extension|--lnf], then enable/disable using UUIDs. It communicates with the running Cinnamon session, so the desktop must be active. Changes apply immediately after reload if needed.

Part of Linux Mint's Cinnamon, it supports lightweight customization without graphical dependencies. UUIDs are case-sensitive and listed with status (enabled marked by *).

Requires active Cinnamon session; run as logged-in user. UUIDs case-sensitive. No effect on uninstalled spices. May need --reload for UI updates.

Run cinnamon-extension-tool --list. Enabled shown as uuid * (name); disabled as uuid (name).

--applet: Panel applets.
--desklet: Desktop widgets.
--extension: Shell extensions.
--lnf: Look & feel themes.

Introduced in Cinnamon 2.4 (2014) by Linux Mint team; evolved with Cinnamon releases for CLI spice management, mirroring gnome-extensions CLI.

cinnamon-spices(7), cinnamon-settings(1), gnome-extensions(1)