gnome-shell-extension-prefs not installed with base GNOME Shell installation

[Jason DeRose]

This package is required for access to the settings dialog for any Gnome Shell extension, which will throw an error without it. It is no longer installed in 20.04 by default and has to be manually installed by the user, but I believe it should be installed by default.

Here are some relevant discussions:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Ubuntu/comments/fql7zz/ubuntu_2004_gnome_extensions/

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/focal/+source/gnome-shell-extension-dash-to-panel/+bug/1866070/comments/3

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Although it is now installed automatically if you install gnome-tweaks (bug 1868932).

[Jason DeRose (jderose9)]

If this is intentional, then the package should also be added as a dependency to gnome-shell-extension-dash-to-panel and other gnome-shell-extension-* packages which require settings access.

[Jason DeRose (jderose9)]

Actually, I don't think this is a wishlist item - this is a bug. If I right click the 9-dot grid "Show Applications" button at the bottom left, the click "Dash to Dock settings" on a brand new 20.04 installation, I get "Execution of gnome-shell-extension-prefs failed."

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

That's bug 1869635. It's unclear if that option should work or shouldn't be shown at all. Still, it's best discussed in bug 1869635.