gnome-session-properties

gnome-session-properties [OPTION…]

-?, --help
    Show help options and exit

--version
    Print release version and exit

--display=DISPLAY
    X display to use (e.g., :0)

--sync
    Make Xt calls synchronous for debugging

The gnome-session-properties command launches a graphical utility for managing automatic startup applications in the GNOME desktop environment.

It allows users to add, remove, and edit programs that launch when logging into a GNOME session. Each entry includes a name, command, description, and optional startup delay or condition (like on AC power).

Changes are stored in ~/.config/autostart using .desktop files, compatible with the XDG Autostart specification. The tool also handles session saving preferences, enabling persistence of open applications across logouts.

Primarily used in GNOME Shell and classic GNOME, it integrates with gsettings for key org.gnome.SessionManager and org.gnome.login-screen. Ideal for customizing desktop behavior without manual file editing.

Requires running X11/Wayland with GNOME; ineffective in headless or non-GNOME sessions. Changes apply only to user-specific sessions.

Edits ~/.config/autostart/*.desktop files and gsettings keys like /org/gnome/gnome-session/.

Displays system-wide (/etc/xdg/autostart) and user entries; toggle visibility with checkboxes.

Introduced in GNOME 2.28 (2009) as part of gnome-session package. Evolved with GNOME 3.x Shell for Wayland support; maintained in GNOME 40+ with modern GTK4 interface.

gnome-session(1), gsettings(1), xdg-autostart(1)