Feature Request: Add Embedded Terminal in Nautilus (GNOME File Manager)
Affected Version
- Version: 46.0 alpha
- Distribution: Any dependent distribution (in my case Arch latest)
- Also affects development version: Yes
Use Cases
In previous iterations of the GNOME desktop environment, the Nautilus file manager boasted a highly useful and widely appreciated feature – an embedded terminal extension. This functionality provided users with the ability to execute commands directly within the file manager, streamlining various tasks and enhancing the overall user experience. However, during the transition to GTK4 in version 43, this extension became defunct due to the deprecation of certain APIs.
Available Workarounds
None
Difficulties
The absence of an embedded terminal in the current Nautilus version is a notable drawback, especially when compared to alternative desktop environments that either natively support this feature or offer it through extensions. Desktop environments like XFCE and KDE, for instance, continue to provide users with an embedded terminal directly within their respective file managers.
Arguments:
Workflow Efficiency: The embedded terminal feature significantly contributes to workflow efficiency by allowing users to perform command-line operations seamlessly without switching between multiple applications. This streamlining of tasks is consistent with the UNIX philosophy of providing small, focused tools that work well together.
Consistency Across Desktop Environments: Users who migrate across different desktop environments may find the lack of an embedded terminal in Nautilus to be a jarring inconsistency. For users accustomed to this feature in other environments, its absence in Nautilus can disrupt their established workflows and diminish their overall satisfaction with the GNOME desktop.
Preserving User Choice: The GNOME desktop environment has traditionally valued user freedom and customization. Reintroducing the embedded terminal aligns with this philosophy by empowering users to tailor their desktop experience according to their preferences. It offers a choice to those who prefer the convenience of executing commands within their file manager.
Legacy User Expectations: Users who have relied on the embedded terminal feature in previous Nautilus versions or those who have migrated from other desktop environments may find its removal to be an unexpected and unwelcome change. Reinstating this feature acknowledges and respects the established expectations of a diverse user base.
Suggested Enhancements
In light of the historical significance and user appreciation of the embedded terminal feature in Nautilus (through extensions), we propose the reconsideration and reintroduction of this functionality as a built-in feature or through making availble the removed APIs. Doing so not only aligns with the user-centric principles of the GNOME desktop environment but also ensures that Nautilus remains competitive and appealing in comparison to other desktop file managers. Ultimately, this feature request seeks to enhance the overall usability and flexibility of Nautilus, contributing to a more robust and user-friendly GNOME desktop experience.
Possible Design: