Docking: an extensible Linux dock written in Python (Show HN)

What it is

Docking bills itself as a fast, customizable, extensible dock for Linux that combines a launcher, system awareness, and modular widgets in one sleek strip. It has been reported that the project is fully written in Python and ships with built-in applets for everything from media controls to a calendar and color picker. The Show HN post points to a polished surface that aims to stay visible when you need it and get out of the way when you don’t.

Key features

On the project page you’ll find a long checklist: weather, timers, notes, battery and Bluetooth status, screen brightness, quick calculations, snippets, a playful companion, lunar phase, keyboard layout, network state, unread notifications, and more. It has been reported that Docking can also track sessions, token usage, and estimated spend across Claude, Codex, and OpenCode — a surprising nod to AI-heavy toolchains. The core pitch: add your own widgets and behaviors without reworking the dock’s runtime model.

Why it matters

Linux desktop setups are wildly varied. Tired of bending your whole workflow around one panel? Yeah, me too. Docking’s promise is simple: make the dock adapt to your desktop instead of the other way around. For tinkerers and power users who switch between GNOME, KDE, i3, and whatever else they’ve cobbled together, a lightweight, multi‑DE friendly dock that bundles glanceable info and compact controls is attractive — kind of like a Swiss Army knife for the panel.

Try it

Curious? The project page is at docking.cc and the Show HN thread has early reactions and testing notes. If you enjoy tweaking widgets, hate visual noise, or just want a single place for tiny, useful tools, Docking is worth a look. Give it a spin and see whether it tucks into your workflow or becomes another thing to fiddle with — either way, it’s an interesting take on a very old desktop problem.

Sources: docking.cc, Hacker News