KDE Plasma extensions and KWin scripts
KDE Plasma is customizable through its settings, and further through add-ons: KWin scripts that change how windows behave, KWin effects, and Plasma widgets. The entries here add automatic tiling (Krohnkite, Polonium, Bismuth), round window corners, restyle panels and bring a Unity-style menu search.
The Plasma version matters. Plasma 6 changed the APIs that scripts and effects use, so an add-on written for Plasma 5 may not load on Plasma 6. Compiled effects such as rounded corners must also be rebuilt when KWin is updated.
6 entries · each pinned to an exact upstream version · updated
All 6 entries, compared
Filter in the catalogue →| Setup | Works with | Difficulty | What it changes | Maintenance | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works with: KDE Plasma (Wayland & X11) | Advanced | Changes: 1 package | Active | Stars: 1.3k | |
 Panel ColorizerPlasma widget to fully restyle panels: floating, blur, per-widget colors. | Works with: KDE Plasma (Wayland & X11) | Advanced | Changes: 1 package | Active | Stars: 1.2k |
 PoloniumAuto-tiling KWin script, successor in spirit to Bismuth. | Works with: KDE Plasma (Wayland & X11) | Advanced | Changes: 1 package | Active | Stars: 1.2k |
 Plasma HUDUnity-style HUD to search application menus in KDE Plasma. | Works with: KDE Plasma (Wayland & X11) | Manual setup | Changes: Nothing for you: follow the upstream guide | Quiet | Stars: 244 |
 BismuthAutomatic tiling extension for KDE Plasma 5. | Works with: KDE Plasma (Wayland & X11) | Advanced | Changes: own installer | Archived upstream | Stars: 2.4k |
 KrohnkiteDynamic tiling script for KWin, maintained for Plasma 6. | Works with: KDE Plasma (Wayland & X11) | Advanced | Changes: 1 package | Archived upstream | Stars: 1.2k |
Avoid or migrate
These still install, but their projects have stopped. Pick a maintained alternative for a new setup.
- Bismuth
The upstream repository is archived: it may still work, but bugs will not be fixed.
Move to: Polonium, KDE Rounded Corners
- Krohnkite
The upstream repository is archived: it may still work, but bugs will not be fixed.
Move to: Polonium, KDE Rounded Corners
How to choose
- Check Plasma 6 support: Bismuth, for example, only targets Plasma 5.
- For tiling on Plasma 6, compare Krohnkite and Polonium.
- Compiled KWin effects need rebuilding after Plasma updates; scripts and widgets do not.
Questions
Can KDE Plasma tile windows automatically?
Plasma has basic built-in tiling; KWin scripts such as Krohnkite and Polonium add automatic tiling layouts similar to a tiling window manager.
Why did an add-on stop working after a Plasma update?
Scripts and effects depend on KWin’s internals. Plasma 6 broke many Plasma 5 add-ons, and compiled effects must be rebuilt for each KWin release.
How do I remove a KWin script?
Disable it in System Settings under Window Management, then remove it from the same page or delete its folder in ~/.local/share/kwin/scripts.