Parachute

Look at your windows and desktops from above. I think the opening animation resembles a parachute opening too.

This Kwin QML/Javascript script was inspired by the excellent work of several projects like: Kwin (Present Windows and Desktop Grid effects), kwinOverview, qOverview, Gnome, Deepin.

The most promising feature isn't implemented yet. I think that the possibility of working with Plasma Activities in a faster and more natural way can be game changing in their daily use. In the future, this script may allow you to insert/delete activities, move windows between them, etc. For now, it works with Virtual Desktops and just ignores activities because I think some changes in Kwin's source code may be needed for the support.

Installation

git clone https://github.com/tcorreabr/Parachute.git
cd Parachute
kpackagetool5 --type KWin/Script --install .

Usage

After activate the script in Kwin Scripts window you can use the default registered global shortcut Ctrl+Super+D (Ctrl+Meta+D) to show/hide Parachute.

You can also invoke the script with: qdbus org.kde.kglobalaccel /component/kwin invokeShortcut Parachute. That way you can use it with Easystroke, for example.

Mouse buttons:

• Left button - Select window.
• Middle button - Close window.
• Right button - (Un)pin window.

Notes

• Developed and tested in Plasma 5.18, but not ready for daily use.
• Not tested on Wayland. I'm pretty sure it doesn't work on it.
• If you are going to contribute to the code, please contact me first so that we don't have duplicate work. Unless it's a small contribution.
• If you are using "Slide" animation to switch desktops, you may want to switch to "Desktop Cube Animation" to avoid some unwanted visual effects.
• For now, you have to click on a empty desktop to show the backgrounds.
• You can use KWin global shortcuts normally while using this script. To navigate between your desktops for example.

Possible improvements

• Config dialog with internationalization support.
• Insert, move and delete Plasma Activities and Virtual Desktops.
• Option to work with Plasma Activities OR Virtual Desktops.
• Option to top/left/right/bottom desktops bar positioning.
• Option to enable/disable background blur.
• More plasma theming support.
• Click on desktops bar to animate it to fullscreen (simulating Kwin's Desktop Grid effect).
• One more shortcut to show/hide the script in this Desktop Grid like mode.