guake

Toggle Guake visibility

$ <F12>

$ <F11>

$ <Ctrl Shift t>

$ <Super x>

$ <Ctrl PageUp>

$ <Ctrl Shift l>

guake [OPTIONS]
guake --new-tab [COMMAND]
guake --execute-command COMMAND
guake --toggle-visibility
guake --show-hide

--help, -h
    Show Guake's help message and exit.

--version, -v
    Show Guake's version information and exit.

--toggle-visibility, -t
    Toggles the visibility of the Guake window (show if hidden, hide if shown).

--show-hide, -s
    Similar to --toggle-visibility, but specifically shows if hidden and hides if shown, without starting if not running.

--new-tab, -a
    Opens a new tab in the Guake window. Optionally, a COMMAND can be specified to run in the new tab.

--rename-tab, -n
    Renames a specific tab by its index.

--rename-current-tab, -r
    Renames the currently active tab.

--execute-command, -e
    Executes a specified COMMAND in the current tab. If Guake is not running, it will be launched.

--preferences, -p
    Opens the Guake preferences window, allowing graphical configuration.

--quit, -q
    Exits the running Guake instance.

--display DISPLAY
    Specifies the X display to use.

--geometry WIDTHxHEIGHT
    Sets the initial geometry of the Guake window.

--tab-name NAME
    Sets the name for a new tab created with --new-tab.

--no-global-hotkey
    Starts Guake without registering the global hotkey.

--allow-custom-command
    Allows the execution of custom commands specified in the preferences.

Guake is a highly customizable drop-down terminal emulator designed for GTK-based desktop environments like Gnome. Inspired by the console found in games like Quake, it provides instant access to a terminal by pressing a single, user-definable hotkey, typically F12. Its primary advantage is its speed and convenience; it appears from the top of the screen when invoked and disappears when the hotkey is pressed again, allowing users to quickly execute commands without switching windows or interrupting their workflow. Guake supports multiple tabs, allowing users to organize different tasks within a single instance. It offers extensive configuration options, including font customization, color schemes, transparency levels, window geometry, and startup commands. This makes Guake an invaluable tool for developers, system administrators, and anyone who frequently uses the command line, enhancing productivity by keeping a powerful terminal readily available.

Guake is primarily designed for GTK-based desktop environments. While it may function in other environments, its integration and appearance might not be optimal. It runs as a background process, consuming a small amount of system resources even when hidden. Users should ensure their hotkey does not conflict with other system shortcuts.

Guake's configuration is managed through its graphical preferences window, accessible via the --preferences option or from the right-click menu on its system tray icon. Settings are typically stored in DConf or a configuration file, allowing for persistence across sessions.

Guake supports executing custom commands upon startup or when a new tab is created, facilitating integration with scripts and development workflows. This can be configured to, for example, automatically SSH into a server or start a development server.

Guake was created by Gael J. Grimaud and first released in 2007, drawing inspiration from the KDE equivalent, Yakuake, and the iconic in-game console from the Quake series. Its development aimed to provide a similar convenient, hotkey-activated drop-down terminal experience specifically for the Gnome and GTK+ environments. Over the years, it has gained a dedicated following due to its simplicity, speed, and extensive customization options, evolving with new features and improved stability while maintaining its core purpose of instant terminal access.

tilda(1), yakuake(1), gnome-terminal(1), xfce4-terminal(1), konsole(1), tmux(1), screen(1)