Justinaquino: "Add Ollama GNOME System Tray Panel guide"

2026-03-31T16:38:11Z

"Add Ollama GNOME System Tray Panel guide"

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= Adding an Ollama System Tray Control to GNOME (Ubuntu) =

== Overview ==

When using Ollama locally, large language models (LLMs) are loaded directly into your GPU's VRAM for fast processing. However, Ollama keeps these models "hot" in memory for a period of time after you finish chatting. If you are running heavy models (like a 7B or 8B parameter model), this can easily consume 5GB+ of VRAM, leaving little room for gaming, video editing, or other GPU-intensive tasks.

Instead of repeatedly opening a terminal to run <code>systemctl</code> commands to kill the service, you can create a lightweight GNOME panel application (system tray icon). This utility provides a simple, two-click visual interface to start and stop the Ollama background service, immediately freeing up your VRAM when needed.

----

== Features ==

* '''One-Click Controls:''' Start or stop the Ollama systemd service directly from the top panel.
* '''Visual Status:''' The icon dynamically changes to show whether Ollama is currently running (<code>▶</code>) or stopped (<code>⏸</code>).
* '''Asynchronous Execution:''' Uses background threading so password prompts (<code>pkexec</code>) do not freeze your desktop environment.
* '''Auto-Polling:''' Detects if Ollama was started or stopped from a terminal and updates the panel icon automatically.

----

== Installation ==

=== Step 1: Install Prerequisites ===

You will need the Python bindings for GTK3 and AppIndicator to allow the script to integrate with the GNOME top panel.

Open your terminal and run:

<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3-gi python3-gi-cairo gir1.2-appindicator3-0.1
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Step 2: Create the Python Script ===

Create a new Python file in a permanent location, such as your home directory or a dedicated scripts folder.

<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
nano ~/ollama-panel.py
</syntaxhighlight>

Paste the following code into the file:

<syntaxhighlight lang="python">
#!/usr/bin/env python3
import gi
import subprocess
import threading

# Require the necessary GTK and AppIndicator versions
gi.require_version('Gtk', '3.0')
gi.require_version('AppIndicator3', '0.1')
from gi.repository import Gtk, AppIndicator3, GLib

class OllamaIndicator:
def __init__(self):
# Initialize with a placeholder icon; it will update immediately
self.indicator = AppIndicator3.Indicator.new(
"ollama_indicator",
"system-run",
AppIndicator3.IndicatorCategory.APPLICATION_STATUS
)
self.indicator.set_status(AppIndicator3.IndicatorStatus.ACTIVE)

self.menu = Gtk.Menu()

# Start Button
self.start_item = Gtk.MenuItem(label='▶ Start Ollama')
self.start_item.connect('activate', lambda _: self.run_systemctl('start'))
self.menu.append(self.start_item)

# Stop Button
self.stop_item = Gtk.MenuItem(label='⏹ Stop Ollama')
self.stop_item.connect('activate', lambda _: self.run_systemctl('stop'))
self.menu.append(self.stop_item)

self.menu.append(Gtk.SeparatorMenuItem())

# Quit Button
quit_item = Gtk.MenuItem(label='Quit Panel App')
quit_item.connect('activate', Gtk.main_quit)
self.menu.append(quit_item)

self.menu.show_all()
self.indicator.set_menu(self.menu)

# Run an initial status check
self.update_status()

# Poll systemctl every 3 seconds to catch external changes
GLib.timeout_add_seconds(3, self.update_status)

def get_ollama_status(self):
# Suppress errors/output so it fails gracefully if cancelled
result = subprocess.run(
["systemctl", "is-active", "ollama"],
capture_output=True, text=True
)
return result.stdout.strip() == "active"

def update_status(self):
active = self.get_ollama_status()

if active:
self.indicator.set_icon_full("media-playback-start", "Ollama is running")
self.start_item.set_sensitive(False)
self.stop_item.set_sensitive(True)
else:
self.indicator.set_icon_full("media-playback-pause", "Ollama is stopped")
self.start_item.set_sensitive(True)
self.stop_item.set_sensitive(False)

return True # Returning True keeps the GLib timer running

def run_systemctl(self, command):
def execute():
# Run the command and wait for it to finish (or be cancelled)
subprocess.run(["pkexec", "systemctl", command, "ollama"])
# Schedule a UI update on the main GTK thread once done
GLib.idle_add(self.update_status)

# Fire in a background thread so the polkit prompt doesn't freeze the panel
threading.Thread(target=execute, daemon=True).start()

def main():
app = OllamaIndicator()
Gtk.main()

if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
</syntaxhighlight>

Save the file and exit your text editor.

=== Step 3: Make the Script Executable ===

Grant the script permission to run as an executable program:

<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
chmod +x ~/ollama-panel.py
</syntaxhighlight>

You can test it immediately by running <code>python3 ~/ollama-panel.py</code>. An icon should appear in your top-right system tray.

----

== Optional: Configure Passwordless Toggling ==

By default, clicking "Start" or "Stop" will bring up a graphical prompt asking for your sudo password. If you want to bypass this for convenience:

# Open the sudoers editor safely:
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
sudo visudo
</syntaxhighlight>
# Add this line to the very bottom of the file (replace <code>your_username</code> with your actual Ubuntu username):
<pre>
your_username ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: /bin/systemctl start ollama, /bin/systemctl stop ollama
</pre>
# Save and exit.
# Open <code>~/ollama-panel.py</code> and change the <code>subprocess.run</code> line inside the <code>execute()</code> function from <code>"pkexec"</code> to <code>"sudo"</code>:
<syntaxhighlight lang="python">
subprocess.run(["sudo", "systemctl", command, "ollama"])
</syntaxhighlight>

----

== Setting Up Autostart (Run on Boot) ==

To ensure the control panel is always available when you log in:

# Open the '''Startup Applications''' tool from your Ubuntu application menu.
# Click '''Add'''.
# Fill in the fields:
#* '''Name:''' Ollama Control Panel
#* '''Command:''' <code>/usr/bin/python3 /home/YOUR_USERNAME/ollama-panel.py</code> — ensure you use the absolute path to your script
#* '''Comment:''' System tray toggle for the Ollama service.
# Click '''Save'''.

[[Category:System Administration]]
[[Category:AI]]
[[Category:Ollama]]
[[Category:Tutorials]]
[[Category:GNOME]]

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Justinaquino: "Add Ollama GNOME System Tray Panel guide"