Configurable NotifyOSD Bubbles For Ubuntu: Move, Close On Click, Change Colors And More

NotifyOSD - the default notification bubbles in Ubuntu - don't allow any kind of customization: you can't change the colors, screen position and you can't close them.

Leolik provides a PPA that allows you to customize the Ubuntu notifications:

• colors
• size of the bubbles, font size, icon size, corner radius
• opacity
• timeout
• position on the screen (you can place NotifyOSD notifications in any screen corner)
• disable fade out
• click anywhere on the notification to close it

The last two options have been added Faheem Pervez. Oh and all the options above are of course optional.


Here is a video I've just recorded to see exactly how everything works:

Install the patched (configurable) NotifyOSD in Ubuntu

1. Install the patched NotifyOSD for Ubuntu:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:leolik/leolik 
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install libnotify-bin
pkill notify-osd

2. Install NotifyOSD Config - a GUI to configure NotifyOSD (unfortunately it hasn't been updated to support all the options):

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install notifyosdconfig

How to use

You can use NotifyOSD Config for changing various parts of the NotifyOSD notification bubbles: colors, size, and so on, as well as change between fixed or dynamic position. The "fixed" position is the default one and "dynamic" means there will be no gap between the top panel and the notification bubbles.

There is a feature which is not supported by NotifyOSD Config and you must change it from the command line: the notifications position on the screen:

- For Ubuntu 11.04:

gconftool-2 -s /apps/notify-osd/gravity --type=int [number]

- For Ubuntu 11.10 and newer:

gsettings set com.canonical.notify-osd gravity [number]

where is [number] can be:

1 - top-right corner
2 - middle-right
3 - bottom-right corner
4 - bottom-left corner
5 - middle-left
6 - top-left corner

After changing this, restart NotifyOSD:

pkill notify-osd

When clicking the "Apply" button in NotifyOSD Config, a test notification is sent automatically but if you want to test the changes manually, run:

notify-send --icon=gtk-add "Test notification" "This is the message body"

For Ubuntu 10.10, see our old post: Tweak The NotifyOSD Notifications In Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat [Patched NotifyOSD PPA Updated]

Many thanks to chimerarevo.com for the news