guake

Toggle Guake visibility

$ <F12>

$ <F11>

$ <Ctrl Shift t>

$ <Super x>

$ <Ctrl PageUp>

$ <Ctrl Shift l>

guake [OPTIONS]

--help
    Show help options.

--preferences
    Open the Guake preferences dialog.

--show
    Show the Guake terminal window.

--hide
    Hide the Guake terminal window.

--toggle
    Toggle the Guake terminal window (show if hidden, hide if shown).

--version
    Show the Guake version.

--new-tab
    Open a new tab in the Guake terminal.

--rename-tab=[title]
    Rename current tab.

--cd=[path]
    Change the current directory of a tab.

--execute=[command]
    Execute a command in a new tab and keep it open (-e 'command'). If --no-close isn't set tab will be closed after command execution.

--execute-only=[command]
    Execute a command in a new tab and closes it automatically when the command has finished.

Guake is a top-down terminal emulator for the GNOME desktop environment. It is designed to be quick and easy to access, appearing at the press of a key (usually F12) and disappearing when the key is pressed again.

Guake aims to provide a similar experience to terminals found in first-person shooter games, where a terminal appears and disappears with a single keystroke allowing users to quickly execute commands without disrupting their workflow. It integrates well with GNOME and offers features like multiple tabs, configurable hotkeys, and customizable appearance.

It's particularly useful for developers, system administrators, or anyone who frequently uses the command line and wants a convenient and unobtrusive way to access a terminal. Guake enhances productivity by providing immediate access to the command line without the need to search for or open a separate terminal window.

Guake relies on the GNOME environment. Proper function might not be guaranteed on other desktop environments.

Guake's behavior and appearance can be extensively customized through its preferences dialog, accessible via the --preferences option or through the Guake icon in the system tray. Settings include hotkey configuration, tab management, appearance settings (transparency, font, color scheme), and more.

Guake integrates seamlessly with GNOME's notification system and supports features like DBus integration, allowing other applications to interact with Guake programmatically.

Guake was created to provide a Quake-style drop-down terminal for Linux, inspired by similar terminals found in games. It was designed for quick access to the command line, improving workflow by minimizing the need to manage separate terminal windows. Over time, Guake has evolved with new features and enhancements, but its core purpose of providing a convenient and accessible terminal remains the same.

xterm(1), konsole(1)