panel-test-applets

panel-test-applets [OPTIONS] [APPLET_FILE|APPLET_ID]

--help
    Display help message and exit.

--version
    Output version information and exit.

APPLET_FILE|APPLET_ID
    The .desktop file of the applet to test, or its component ID.

The panel-test-applets command is a utility used for testing and debugging GNOME Panel applets outside of a fully running GNOME desktop environment. It provides a lightweight container to load and run applets, allowing developers to isolate and examine their behavior without affecting the main desktop session. This is useful for identifying bugs, memory leaks, and other issues before deploying applets to users.

It simulates the environment where the applet would normally operate, providing access to necessary libraries and resources. The command typically requires specifying the applet's .desktop file or the applet's component ID. It offers limited functionality compared to the full GNOME panel. Instead, it aims to provide a controlled environment for iterative applet development. This is a development tool primarily designed to aid in creating functional and stable applets for use in the GNOME desktop environment.

This tool is primarily for developers and testers. It does not replicate the full GNOME panel environment, and some applet functionality may be limited or unavailable. There are no guarantees about all functionality of an applet being testable with this command.

To test an applet using its .desktop file:
panel-test-applets /path/to/my-applet.desktop

To test an applet using its component ID:
panel-test-applets my-applet-id

If the applet fails to load, verify that the .desktop file is valid and that all necessary dependencies are installed. Check for error messages in the terminal output. Note that certain graphical features might not work correctly outside the full GNOME environment.

The `panel-test-applets` command likely emerged as part of the GNOME project's development toolset. It was created to streamline the applet development process allowing developers to rapidly iterate changes without needing to restart the full GNOME panel. Its usage is tightly coupled with GNOME desktop environment.

gnome-panel(1), gsettings(1)