# Minimize Python app/script to System Tray/App Indicator area?

**URL:** <https://discourse.ubuntubudgie.org/t/minimize-python-app-script-to-system-tray-app-indicator-area/4002>\
**Category:** Budgie Applets\
**Created:** [August 1, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://discourse.ubuntubudgie.org/t/minimize-python-app-script-to-system-tray-app-indicator-area/4002 "2020-08-01T21:29:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rbreaves](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/discourse.ubuntubudgie.org/rbreaves/32/3871_2.png) [@rbreaves](https://discourse.ubuntubudgie.org/u/rbreaves)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://discourse.ubuntubudgie.org/t/minimize-python-app-script-to-system-tray-app-indicator-area/4002/1 "2020-08-01T21:29:47Z")

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Continuing this question here since it has veered off from the original thread. [Global menu is getting cut out](https://discourse.ubuntubudgie.org/t/global-menu-is-getting-cut-out/1236)

I may have misunderstood @fossfreedom, but were you saying that I can make use of the App Indicator without installing into the plugin extension directory?

> If the applet is an app indicator then it will auto appear after running … e.g. if set to autostart

That line specifically pops out at me, because while I based my work on an actual Budgie Applet that installs globally, which @fossfreedom indicates can also be installed locally here [https://askubuntu.com/questions/886327/how-do-i-write-an-indicator-for-budgie-desktop](https://askubuntu.com/questions/886327/how-do-i-write-an-indicator-for-budgie-desktop), I guess I am wondering if I can throw an app or minimize something up in the top right corner alongside other applications that are actual Applets?

I already have the Budgie Applet written and working, but it would be nicer to skip the manual UI install step imo. On a lesser important note… is there a way to change the button text to dark black? I have been going through gtk+ python documentation but haven’t found a way to resolve it, at least nothing that worked for me.

I think I had tried something like this as a test and it did not work, among other attempts.

self.checkbox\_region.modify\_fg(Gtk.STATE\_NORMAL, Gtk.Gdk.color\_parse(‘#366B7E’))

 ![VirtualBox_UB2_01_08_2020_01_04_22](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/ubuntubudgie/original/2X/e/ee93311c61a4459c12ba5bd8a283b22771e1ce6e.png)

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**Author:** ![fossfreedom](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/discourse.ubuntubudgie.org/fossfreedom/32/1405_2.png) [@fossfreedom](https://discourse.ubuntubudgie.org/u/fossfreedom)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 9:38pm UTC](https://discourse.ubuntubudgie.org/t/minimize-python-app-script-to-system-tray-app-indicator-area/4002/2 "2020-08-01T21:38:10Z")

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If you write a python app that supports the app indicator spec,it will appear with other app indicators… assuming you are running the app indicator applet. The appindicator applet is a default in UB, ubuntu mate. Under Ubuntu with gnome shell I am not sure if it’s a default but i know there is a gnome shell appindicator extension.

Just to clarify, the appindicator applet is just a container that hosts icons and labels for all running appindicators.

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**Author:** ![rbreaves](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/discourse.ubuntubudgie.org/rbreaves/32/3871_2.png) [@rbreaves](https://discourse.ubuntubudgie.org/u/rbreaves)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 9:51pm UTC](https://discourse.ubuntubudgie.org/t/minimize-python-app-script-to-system-tray-app-indicator-area/4002/3 "2020-08-01T21:51:16Z")

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I see now, thank you! My first system tray with linux so yea definitely had some confusion there and this method is much more ideal. There’s no reason for what I have made to be an Applet that has to be managed in the UI.

I found this example code that demonstrated it just fine!

> <https://gist.github.com/candidtim/4705c55d41ae982ee60e>