Gtk3-mushrooms
Version: 3.24.8-1 Web: https://github. com/krumelmonster/gtk3-mushrooms
Seasoned Linux users often know that preferring GTK applications does not oblige you to use the Gnome desktop. Those apps integrate nicely with Xfce, Mate and even i3 (after some tweaking). But this touches the problem of changes and controversial design decisions that are specific for GTK3. A good example is the Mate desktop, which was originally meant to preserve the classic looks of Gnome 2. Eventually Mate also absorbed GTK3, and as a result the current state of the GTK app ecosystem is very inconsistent: classic apps with menu bars coexist with modern apps that feature client-side decorations (CSD).
Gtk3-mushrooms is a project that attempts to turn back time and make GTK3 apps look like they are GTK2. Traditional window frames, classic file choosers, message dialogs with not-so-huge buttons, icons in menus, smaller paddings. Together these fixes eliminate all you might hate in GTK3 (but simply felt like there was no other choice). Gtk3-mushrooms makes no sense if you already happily use Gnome 3 or Pantheon, but if your cup of tea is Xfce or Mate, it makes a big difference!
Technically, Gtk3-mushrooms is a Github project with a crafted selection of patches that need to be applied to the GTK3 source tree. This is a no easy job, as building the entire GTK3 set of libraries from source takes a lot of effort. Currently GTK3 with Gtk3mushrooms has been packaged for Arch Linux and Manjaro only (search for the package in AUR), which means that the rest of Linux users are left without a short installation path. However, at the end of the tunnel you get modern GTK3 applications that look fantastic in Xfce and Mate. The patch set delivers a much-needed amount of fit and finish, and it boosts the usability of your desktop.