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I have just updated to Kubuntu 15.04 and can't find out how to change the position of krunner (the little search window that appears when I press Alt+F2) so that it appears in the center of the screen instead of at the top. Is this still possible? If yes, how can I change this?

Deltik
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Jannik Jochem
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    Unfortunately, the feature that you're looking for was removed. There is a [submitted change](https://git.reviewboard.kde.org/r/118591/) that restores the FreeFloating feature, but I don't know if it is implemented anywhere. – Deltik Apr 28 '15 at 11:47
  • It is possible editing its [configuration file](https://superuser.com/a/1486294/294180). – goetz May 31 '20 at 23:58

2 Answers2

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I was able to use this workaround in kubuntu 16.04: I created a special Window Rule for the krunner window to enforce a certain screen position.

Details: In the system settings application, goto Workspace, Window Management, Window Rules

  • create a new Window rule:
    • Window class (application): choose "Exact Match" from the drop down list, enter: krunner into the field (or use the Detect Window Properties button)

enter image description here

  • on the second tab Size & Position:
    • check the first box Position
    • choose "Apply Initially"
    • enter some numbers into the field: I entered 570,400 for about the middle of my screen (that may vary depending on the display)

enter image description here

  • click OK

enter image description here

  • click Apply

Anyway, this window is meant to be placed in the upper part of the screen - if set too close to the bottom, it will jump upward when the list of findings is long enough.

enter image description here

Lars Fischer
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  • In order to make it work: Window class (application): choose "Exact Match" from the drop down list, enter: `krunner`. In the answer it says: "enter: `krunner krunner` into the field". - Do you know a manual or something on the rest of possible settings (dimension e.g.) –  Oct 17 '16 at 11:19
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6kugmvsI_Q – Gelldur Feb 21 '17 at 12:43
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This can be done on KDE Plasma 5, without special KWin (or any WM) rules.

GUI method (since Plasma 5.20)

  • Open System Settings and search Krunner
  • Set the desired "Position on screen"

KDE System Settings for Krunner

Text method (since early Plasma 5)

Edit ~/.config/krunnerrc and make sure that FreeFloating is set to true.

[General]
FreeFloating=true

Then restart KRunner.

krunner --replace & disown

As @cipricus mentions in the comments, it is also possible to set other properties, like the font size, e.g.:

[General]
font=Noto Sans,12,-1,5,50,0,0,0,0,0

Every coma separated argument has a different meaning. The most relevant are the first and second ones, which is the Font family and the Point size.

goetz
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    Where are things like this documented? I ran into this trying to accomplish same as OP, and would love to see what else can be modified using config file. I've found an old reference to a krunnerrc global with no defs though, and it's from kde4, and no equivalent seems to exist in my install of Plasma 5. – sandroid May 30 '20 at 17:11
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    @sandroid I don't know about any documentations, but you can look directly at the source: https://invent.kde.org/plasma/plasma-workspace/-/blob/6d0c45a6bc29ad2329156f3f97a27ef156cd3f9b/krunner/view.cpp#L160 and search for other `readEntry` occurrences :) – goetz Sep 05 '20 at 02:34
  • not in Plasma 18 – cipricus Mar 11 '21 at 16:43
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    @cipricus For the GUI method you need Plasma 5.20+ and for the Text method, it works on pretty much any Plasma 5 version. – goetz Mar 11 '21 at 17:00
  • Also, the size can be changed in the same file, thus increasing the size of the whole window: [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/kde/comments/cpsz6h/how_to_make_fonts_in_krunner_bigger_how_to_make/ewrdgdy?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) – cipricus Mar 11 '21 at 17:04
  • Good idea, have added it with some details. – goetz Mar 11 '21 at 17:28
  • What about the application icons? They are small anyway, and look disproportionately so after increasing the size of the font.. – cipricus May 06 '21 at 19:36
  • Works on KUbuntu 20.04. – Valentin Grégoire Jul 01 '21 at 14:11