WTMB (Window Thumbnails) For Linux

What would GNOME be without GNOME Shell extensions? No doubt, the answer is quite depressing as GNOME Shell extensions are remarkably valuable, either by providing some much-needed functionality that's missing or by providing a bit of "QoL" here and there.

The large majority of GNOME Shell extensions are very simplistic tools that do one thing. Conversely, the select few GNOME Shell extensions that offer more than just as simple improvement are usually on a totally different level, and they're usually seen in most "top-10-must-use-must-have-GNOME-Shell-extensions" tier lists.

WTMB (Windows Thumbnails) is definitely one GNOME Shell extension that deserves its place among the greats.

To quote the official GitHub repository, WTMB is a GNOME Shell extension that "allows the creation of scaled-down window clones for use as Picture-in-Picture (PIP) thumbnails."

If you've ever used the Picture-in-Picture mode on any modern web browser (such as Firefox or Chrome, for instance), then you'll already be familiar with the floating pop-out window mechanic.

With its help, you basically run any desktop app (at least ones that have a proper GUI) in the so-called Picture-in-Picture mode. The extension uses other extensions such as V-Shell, AATWS, and CHC-E to get the job done.

Here's how you use it: press Super+T on any apps that's focused to add it to PiP mode. You can resize the PiP thumbnail's size by hovering over it and using your mouse-scroll wheel. Click the PiP thumbnail to make it bigger, and double-click it to restore it to its main window. Simple, clean, and nice.

The gist of this extension is enhancing productivity. With its help, you can watch videos in PiP mode, monitor any important app process, or simply follow instructions given by a tutorial while working. The possibilities are legit endless.

WTMB successfully extends the functionality of usability GNOME, and is especially useful when it comes to single-monitor setups.

I really enjoy this extension, and as a user who relies on PiP mode from my browsers on a daily basis, I'm surely going to use this tiny tool from now on.

I was really surprised by the number of customization options, which clearly shows that someone wanted to make it as good as it could be. That's definitely something I appreciate.

You can choose the default position where the new PiP windows appear, you can customize keyboard shortcuts, the opacity and animation speed of PiP windows, and configure hover/click actions and gestures (optional full-size preview on hover and hide-on cover features are neat as well).

The extension also boasts multi-monitor support and, of course, an unlimited number of thumbnails.

If everything sounds good to you, then I recommend you install the Extension Manager app first, then use it to install WTMB (Windows Thumbnails). Chances are you won't be disappointed.