Ubuntu – Kubuntu 18.10 – How to change this file picker

filemanagerkdekubuntuplasma-5

I'm using Kubuntu 18.10 and have the default file manager, Dolphin, set up quite nicely with servers, favorites etc. in the sidebar.

Now, whenever I want to open a file or folder from within a program, this file picker opens:

Now, many programs open this file/folder picker instead of the Dolphin file picker:

File Picker

EDIT: This happens for example in Sublime Text and Firefox. Preinstalled programs (e. g. Spectacle or Kate) seem to actually do display a Dolphin file picker!

Is there any way to replace this with the Dolphin file picker, or at least get my favorites etc. into whatever this program is?

Best Answer

You want applications to use the KDE file selection dialog so that you can have the appearance matching that of Dolphin.

As you have seen, native applications such as Spectacle do conform, but others don't. This is probably because the non-conforming applications are gtk-based and use the GTK file selection dialog:  

Firefox uses the gtk file selection dialog by default

Firefox using the gtk file selection dialog

To get Firefox, which is a gtk application, to use the KDE file selection dialog, start it from a terminal like this:

GTK_USE_PORTAL=1 firefox

Now, you'll see  

Firefox using the KDE file selection dialog

 

Similarly, you can make gedit, and other gtk applications, use the KDE file selection dialog.  

Here's what you'll see with GTK_USE_PORTAL=1 gedit:  

gedit using the KDE file selection dialog

If you're sure you want to consistently use the KDE file selection dialog, you can add export GTK_USE_PORTAL=1 to the end of ~/.profile. After you log out and log back in, all applications will use the KDE file selection dialog.

Note that the following two packages should be present in your system:

  • xdg-desktop-portal-kde
  • xdg-desktop-portal
Related Question