<p align="center"> <img src="./data/org.carmenta.App.png" alt="Carmenta Logo" width="200"> </p>

Carmenta

Carmenta is minimal, fast emoji picker for Linux desktops, built with Rust and GTK4. It integrates with GNOME Shell to provide instant access to Emojis, Kaomojis, Symbols, and GIFs.

<p align="center"> <img src="./data/screenshots/main.png" alt="Preview" width="350"> </p>

🚀 Performance

| Metric | Result | | :-------------------- | :---------------------------------- | | Startup Time | < 200ms (Internal init: ~135ms) | | Insertion Latency | ~1.2ms | | Memory Usage | ~0.75MB (RSS) |

Measured on standard hardware.

✨ Features

• Instant Search: Localized, debounce-optimized search for thousands of items.
• Four Modes:
  • 😃 Emoji: Full Unicode support with categories and skin tones.
  • (◕‿◕) Kaomoji: Extensive library of Japanese emoticons.
  • ∑ Symbols: Math, currency, arrows, and more.
  • 🎬 GIFs: Search millions of animated GIFs powered by Klipy.
• Smart History: Remembers your most used items.
• "Always on Top": Stays visible while you work, but gets out of the way when you don't need it.
• Shell Integration: Uses an optional, companion GNOME Shell extension for reliable text insertion into any application (Wayland workaround).

📦 Installation

Fedora (Recommended)

You can install Carmenta directly from the COPR repository:

sudo dnf copr enable szymon-wilczek/carmenta
sudo dnf install carmenta

Manual Build

If you are not using Fedora or prefer to build from source, the installation script will attempt to install necessary dependencies for you (on Ubuntu/Debian, Fedora, Arch).

If the script fails to install dependencies, you will need:

• gtk4 (libgtk-4-dev)
• libadwaita (libadwaita-1-dev)
• rust / cargo

Installation:

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/szymonwilczek/carmenta.git
   cd carmenta
   

2. Run the installation script:

   ./scripts/install_app.sh
   

Install Extension (Optional)

Carmenta does not require a companion extension to function correctly, but it makes the work much easier.

Currently, Wayland prohibits inserting anything from other applications into other windows. A workaround for this is a Companion extension that communicates with the application, allowing emoticons to be inserted.

Extension can be found on GNOME Extensions

Manual options:

Installation Script

I recommend you to install the extension via installation script, as it do all of these (listed below - but not the 2nd step, you'll still need to do that manually):

1. Copy the extension folder to your GNOME Shell extensions directory:

git clone https://github.com/szymonwilczek/carmenta.git
cd carmenta
mkdir -p ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/carmenta@szymonwilczek.dev
cp -r extension/* ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/carmenta@szymonwilczek.dev/

2. Restart GNOME Shell (logout and login back).
3. Enable the extension using the Extensions app.

Obviously, if you want to do that steps yourself, that's fine and will work the same.

⌨️ Usage

• Launch Carmenta (can be binded to any Custom Shortcut as carmenta).
• Type to search (or use Arrows and/or Tab/Ctrl-Tab to navigate around the app).
• Click to copy & insert.
• Esc to quit instantly.

CLI options

You can launch Carmenta with runtime configuration:

carmenta --width 420 --height 480

Available options:

• --width <px> - fixed window width, range: 280..=1400
• --height <px> - fixed window height, range: 320..=1400
• --disable-gifs - hides GIF tab (can improve performance and lower network usage)

Examples:

# Smaller, fixed window
carmenta --width 320 --height 380

# Performance mode (without GIF tab)
carmenta --disable-gifs

# Both combined
carmenta --width 360 --height 420 --disable-gifs

🪵 Debugging / logs

When Carmenta crashes (for example during Esc), these are the most useful places to inspect logs:

# If you run app directly from terminal
RUST_BACKTRACE=1 carmenta

# Follow user-level journal logs live
journalctl --user -f | grep -i carmenta

# Logs from current boot only
journalctl --user -b | grep -i carmenta

# Crash dumps / segfault traces
coredumpctl list | grep -i carmenta
coredumpctl info <PID_OR_EXE>