SysTray-X

SysTray-X is a system tray extension for Thunderbird. The addon uses the WebExtension API's to control an external system dependent system tray application.

The addon and system tray application can do:

custom new mail icon
display number of unread / new mails
optional new mail indicator (icon or shading)
run app on start or close
show / hide Thunderbird (minimize)
use a shortcut to show / hide (not available for GNOME or Wayland)
minimizing hides to tray (remove Thunderbird from taskbar, pager and switcher when minimized)
minimize on startup
minimize on close
start a new message

Warning:

This add-on and companion app will NOT work with flatpaks or snaps of Thunderbird. They do not allow native messaging hosts outside the packages.

Donations

To support this project, you can make a donation to its current maintainer:

Contributers

Luigi Baldoni \aloisio@gmx.com\ : Initial setup of the OpenSuSE Build Service rpm package.
ouztheone : Nice workaround without disabling Wayland completely

Known issues

Upgrading a Windows version (pre 0.9.4):
- Quit Thunderbird
- Install the new version of Systray-X (SysTray-X-setupxx-0.x.0.exe from the release assets)
- Start Thunderbird again
- Goto Tools -> Add-ons and Themes
- Click on the "gear" button / menu
- Click the "Install Add-on From File" menu item
- Browse to "C:\Program Files\Systray-X
- Select "systray-x@Ximi1970.xpi"
SysTray-X preferences will be lost when moving from an old Thunderbird version to Thunderbird version 91 or higher due to the storage type change. As of SysTray-X version 0.8.0 the add-on will use the local storage type instead of the sync type.
Please press the reset button in the TB SysTray-X add-on preferences page to clear the old storage before setting your preferences again.
Preferences menu not working in TB 86.x throught TB 87.0b1 (beta releases)

Limitations

This add-on / companion app will not work with flatpaks or snaps of Thunderbird. They do not allow native messaging hosts outside the packages.
You need to use a workaround for Wayland. In some distributions this is already applied.
The shortcut option does not work in GNOME or Wayland.

Binaries (System)

These packages will install the Thunderbird addon and companion app system wide.
Root credentials are required.

Make sure you removed / uninstalled any SysTray-X package installed with a script installer.
You can verify this by checking the ~/.mozilla/native-messaging-hosts directory. There should be NO SysTray-X packages or links in there. Remove them and remove the add-on from the Thunderbird add-ons page.

Using the addon with Wayland

You need to force Thunderbird to use X11.

Starting from a shell:

env GDK_BACKEND=x11 thunderbird

and/or find the .desktop file for Thunderbird:

/usr/share/applications/thunderbird.desktop

and change the Exec line into this:

Exec=env GDK_BACKEND=x11 thunderbird %u

If GDK_BACKEND=x11 doesn't work, one could try the following instead:

env MOZ_ENABLE_WAYLAND=0 thunderbird

Linux distributions

openSuSE

Repository

Installing the repository:

Tumbleweed

sudo zypper ar -f https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/openSUSE_Tumbleweed/ SysTray-X

Slowroll

sudo zypper ar -f https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/openSUSE_Slowroll/ SysTray-X

15.6

sudo zypper ar -f https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/15.6/ SysTray-X

15.5

sudo zypper ar -f https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/15.5/ SysTray-X

15.4

sudo zypper ar -f https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/15.4/ SysTray-X

Leap 15.4

sudo zypper ar -f https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/openSUSE_Leap_15.4/ SysTray-X

Package

Installing the SysTray-X addon and companion app package:

KDE

sudo zypper in systray-x

GNOME

sudo zypper in systray-x-gnome

XFCE / Others

sudo zypper in systray-x-minimal

xUbuntu

Repository

Installing the repository:

24.04 LTS

Remove the Thunderbird snap package:

sudo apt remove thunderbird

Install the deb Thunderbird repository:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mozillateam/ppa
sudo nano /etc/apt/preferences.d/mozillateamppa

Insert this into the preferences file (it blocks the snap package):

Package: thunderbird*
Pin: release o=LP-PPA-mozillateam
Pin-Priority: 1001

Save the file.

Refresh the repositories and install the deb version of Thunderbird:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install thunderbird

Now install the SysTray-X repository:

wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970/xUbuntu_24.04/Release.key
sudo mv -f  Release.key  /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/Systray-x.Ximi1970.asc
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/xUbuntu_24.04 ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update

23.10

wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970/xUbuntu_23.10/Release.key
sudo mv -f  Release.key  /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/Systray-x.Ximi1970.asc
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/xUbuntu_23.10 ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update

23.04

wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970/xUbuntu_23.04/Release.key
sudo mv -f  Release.key  /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/Systray-x.Ximi1970.asc
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/xUbuntu_23.04 ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update

22.04 LTS

wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970/xUbuntu_22.04/Release.key
sudo mv -f  Release.key  /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/Systray-x.Ximi1970.asc
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/xUbuntu_22.04 ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update

20.04 LTS

wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970/xUbuntu_20.04/Release.key
sudo apt-key add Release.key
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/xUbuntu_20.04 ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update

18.04 LTS

wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970/xUbuntu_18.04/Release.key
sudo apt-key add Release.key
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/xUbuntu_18.04 ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update

16.04 LTS

wget -q http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970/xUbuntu_16.04/Release.key
sudo apt-key add Release.key
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/xUbuntu_16.04 ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update

Package

Installing the SysTray-X addon and companion app package:

KDE

sudo apt install systray-x

GNOME

sudo apt install systray-x-gnome

Unity / XFCE / Others

sudo apt install systray-x-minimal

Debian

Repository

Installing the repository:

Testing

wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Debian_Testing/Release.key
sudo cp -f Release.key /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/SysTray-X.asc
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Debian_Testing ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update

Unstable

wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Debian_Unstable/Release.key
sudo cp -f Release.key /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/SysTray-X.asc
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Debian_Unstable ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update

12

wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Debian_12/Release.key
sudo cp -f Release.key /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/SysTray-X.asc
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Debian_12 ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update

11

wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Debian_11/Release.key
sudo apt-key add Release.key
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Debian_11 ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update

10

wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Debian_10/Release.key
sudo apt-key add Release.key
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Debian_10 ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update

Package

Installing the SysTray-X addon and companion app package:

KDE

sudo apt install systray-x

GNOME

sudo apt install systray-x-gnome

XFCE / Others

sudo apt install systray-x-minimal

Fedora

Repository

Installing the repository:

Rawhide

sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Fedora_Rawhide/home:Ximi1970:Mozilla:Add-ons.repo
sudo dnf update --refresh

41

sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Fedora_41/home:Ximi1970:Mozilla:Add-ons.repo
sudo dnf update --refresh

40

sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Fedora_40/home:Ximi1970:Mozilla:Add-ons.repo
sudo dnf update --refresh

39

sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Fedora_39/home:Ximi1970:Mozilla:Add-ons.repo
sudo dnf update --refresh

38

sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Fedora_38/home:Ximi1970:Mozilla:Add-ons.repo
sudo dnf update --refresh

Package

Installing the SysTray-X addon and companion app package:

KDE

sudo dnf install systray-x

GNOME

sudo dnf install systray-x-gnome

XFCE / Others

sudo dnf install systray-x-minimal

Manjaro, Arch

AUR

Repository

Installing the repository:

wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons:/Arch/Arch/x86_64/home_Ximi1970_Mozilla_Add-ons_Arch_Arch.key
sudo pacman-key --add home_Ximi1970_Mozilla_Add-ons_Arch_Arch.key
sudo pacman-key --lsign-key BEEF5C3607D86FE9
sudo echo -e "\n[home_Ximi1970_Mozilla_Add-ons_Arch_Arch]\nSigLevel = PackageOptional\nServer = https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons:/Arch/Arch/x86_64" | sudo tee -a /etc/pacman.conf 
sudo pacman -Syyu

Package

Installing the SysTray-X addon and companion app package:

KDE

sudo pacman -S systray-x

GNOME

sudo pacman -S systray-x-gnome

Please use gnome-extensions to enable the gnome shell extension appindicatorsupport@rgcjonas.gmail.com. Reboot or relogin is probably also needed.

XFCE / Others

sudo pacman -S systray-x-minimal

Alternative install (by Antiz96)

Install the systray-x package from the Arch repo. This is a split package that will offer you to either install the systray-x-common package which is suitable for any DE/WM except KDE (Gnome users need to install and enable the gnome-shell-extension-appindicator for a proper integration with Gnome) or the systray-x-kde package which includes specific options and dependencies for a proper integration with KDE.

sudo pacman -S systray-x

You can directly install the systray-x-common or the systray-x-kde package instead, if you already know the one you want to install. Alternatively, there's a systray-x-git package available in the AUR.

MX

First install the Debian latest Thunderbird version. Replace the xx.x.x with the correct version.

sudo apt install thunderbird=1:xx.x.x-1~deb10u1

Then add the SysTray-X Debian repository and install the SysTray-X package.

sudo apt install thunderbird=1:78.x.x-1~deb10u1
wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Debian_10/Release.key
sudo apt-key add Release.key
sudo bash -c 'echo "deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/Debian_10 ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/systray-x.list'
sudo apt update
sudo apt install systray-x-minimal

Binaries (User) (not recommended)

User installable package.
No root credentials required.

Download the installer here (click on the assets dropdown list):

Addon and companion app installer

Please keep in mind that using the script will override the SysTray-X packages installed with a repository. Use the -u option with the script installer to uninstall.

Building

Linux

Requirements:

OpenSuSE Leap 15.5:

sudo zypper install zip git gcc-c++ make libQt5Core-devel libQt5Widgets-devel libQt5DBus-devel knotifications-devel

OpenSuSE Leap 15.5 GNOME:

sudo zypper install zip git gcc-c++ make libQt5Core-devel libQt5Widgets-devel libQt5DBus-devel
sudo zypper ar -f https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/Ximi1970:/Mozilla:/Add-ons/15.5/ SysTray-X
sudo zypper install gnome-shell-extension-appindicator

Fedora 38:

sudo dnf install qt5-qtbase-devel gnome-shell-extension-appindicator
gnome-extensions enable appindicatorsupport@rgcjonas.gmail.com

Logout and login to enable the gnome extension.

Fedora 38 Mate:

sudo dnf install qt5-qtbase-devel kf5-knotifications-devel

Ubuntu 23.04 LTS:

sudo apt install zip git g++ make qt5-qmake qtbase5-dev qdbus-qt5
gnome-extensions enable ubuntu-appindicator@ubuntu.com

Logout and login to enable the gnome extension.

Debian 12:

sudo apt install zip git g++ make qt5-qmake qtbase5-dev qdbus-qt5 gnome-shell-extension-appindicator
gnome-extension enable ubuntu-appindicator@ubuntu.com

Logout and login to enable the gnome extension.

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/Ximi1970/systray-x.git

Build (KDE):

cd systray-x
make clean
make

or if knotifications is not available:

cd systray-x
make clean
make OPTIONS="DEFINES+=NO_KDE_INTEGRATION"

Build (GNOME,XFCE,others):

cd systray-x
make clean
make OPTIONS="DEFINES+=NO_KDE_INTEGRATION"

Install and use SysTray-X from the build directory in the repository:

mkdir -p ~/.mozilla/native-messaging-hosts
cp -f app/config/linux/SysTray_X.json ~/.mozilla/native-messaging-hosts/

Copy the add-on into the Thunderbird profile directory:

cp -f systray-x@Ximi1970.xpi ~/.thunderbird/<profile-code>.default-release/extensions/

Start Thunderbird and enable and configure the add-on in the "Menu -> Add-ons and themes -> Extensions" dialog.

Or install the add-on by going to the "Add-ons and themes -> Extensions" dialog, click on the gear icon and use the "Install add-on from file" item. Select the "systray-x@Ximi1970.xpi" file.

Windows 10, 11

Install these packages:

Visual Studio Express 2019
Visual Code Studio
Git for Windows
TortoiseGit
PuTTY
Qt (QtCreator, Qt 5.15.2)
7z
(optional)Cygwin (gcc, make, zip)

Clone the repository using TortoiseGit.

Start QtCreator and open the project file:

app/SysTray-X/SysTray-X.pro

Choose in the Projects the kit Desktop Qt 5.12.2 MSVC2019 64bit Set it to Release or Debug on what you need. Then Build all projects.

Now create the systray-x@Ximi1970.xpi

cd webext
"C:\Program Files\7-Zip\7z.exe" a ../systray-x@Ximi1970.xpi *

Install app\config\win32\SysTray-X-User.reg to activated the addon for only the current user. Please remove this registry entry if you ever consider to install the addon with the official installer.

Install app\config\win32\SysTray-X-System.reg to activated the addon for every one.

You can now install the addon in Thunderbird.

Menu -> Add-ons and Themes -> Click the gear symbol -> Install add-on from file... -> Select systray-x@Ximi1970.xpi

Translations

de :
el : askembris
en_US :
it : lgbaldoni
nl :
pt_BR : fabianski7
ru_RU : agvantibo
zh_CN : UM-Li

Remarks

Branches:

master : Should be stable and working for all supported systems
develop : Working but maybe not for all systems
feature-xxx : Experimental

Ximi1970 / systray-x

readme

SysTray-X

Donations

Contributers

Known issues

Limitations

Binaries (System)

Using the addon with Wayland

Linux distributions

openSuSE

Repository

Tumbleweed

Slowroll

15.6

15.5

15.4

Leap 15.4

Package

KDE

GNOME

XFCE / Others

xUbuntu

Repository

24.04 LTS

23.10

23.04

22.04 LTS

20.04 LTS

18.04 LTS

16.04 LTS

Package

KDE

GNOME

Unity / XFCE / Others

Debian

Repository

Testing

Unstable

12

11

10

Package

KDE

GNOME

XFCE / Others

Fedora

Repository

Rawhide

41

40

39

38

Package

KDE

GNOME

XFCE / Others

Manjaro, Arch

AUR

Repository

Package

KDE

GNOME

XFCE / Others

Alternative install (by Antiz96)

MX

Binaries (User) (not recommended)

Building

Linux

Windows 10, 11

Translations

Remarks