Could Someone Give me Advice with Customizing KDE Plasma Panels for Optimal Productivity?

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Hello there,

I have been using KDE Plasma as my daily desktop environment for the past few months, and I absolutely love its flexibility and customizability. Although; I have been trying to fine-tune my workflow to make it even more productive, and I’m seeking some advice on how to get the most out of KDE’s panel system.

I want to create a highly efficient; distraction free setup for programming, browsing; and occasional video editing. I have already customized the basics like adding the system tray; quick launchers; and clock widgets.

Is it better to have multiple panels for different activities (e.g., one for work, another for media) or stick to one versatile panel? What are the best practices in terms of managing multiple panels?

Are there specific dock widgets or third party dock applications that integrate well with KDE? I have seen Latte Dock mentioned; but I am curious if there are other options or if the native panel is preferable for dock like behavior.

Is there a way to automate panel visibility depending on the open application or virtual desktop? For example; hiding a specific panel during fullscreen applications but bringing it back when needed?

Thank you in advance for your help and assistance.

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You can’t have different panels for different Desktop Activities, so there is nothing to manage.

As to replacing panels with ‘dock’, this is what I used to do for this exact purpose. Most docks are either old, outdated, old and outdated, or old outdated and no longer maintained. Latte Dock is/was what I used but it has been a few years now since the creator stopped working on it, and it stopped working.

You can set a panel to dodge windows, which may fit your purpose.

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You can create a dock under KDE by creating a floating panel and adding the Icons Only Task Manager to it:

KDE desktop Oct 23
KDE desktop Oct 231920×1080 63.7 KB

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i think you are there… the only panel you really need is the one.

mine has:

  • app menu
  • pager
  • icons only task manager
  • system tray
  • clock
  • minimize all windows

you can set it to auto hide, but just leave mine showing all the time.

you can set up window rules for specific apps, but i’ve not really played much with it.

i do have another panel with a series of system monitors and icon links to my windows data folder for quick access but, that’s just me because i like to have visibility to what my machine is doing and i have a lot of legacy windows data i still need quick access to.