Development Environment
This page covers the tools that make MATE development comfortable: API documentation, editors, and utilities.
API documentation with Devhelp
Devhelp gives you searchable, offline API documentation for GTK, GLib, GObject, and all installed development libraries. It is the fastest way to look up function signatures and struct members without leaving the desktop.
sudo apt install devhelp libgtk-3-doc libglib2.0-docStart Devhelp and use Ctrl+F to search, or invoke it from the terminal:
devhelp --search g_signal_connectEditors and IDEs
| Tool | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pluma | MATE’s own text editor — lightweight, ships with MATE |
| VS Code | Great C/C++ extension, clangd support, ctags navigation |
| GNOME Builder | Deep GLib/GTK integration, GObject introspection, Flatpak build support |
| Geany | Lightweight IDE, fast symbol lookup, built-in terminal |
For VS Code, install the C/C++ and clangd extensions. Generate compile_commands.json via bear make for accurate code navigation.
Essential CLI tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
pkg-config | Query compiler flags: pkg-config --cflags --libs gtk+-3.0 |
gsettings | Read/write GSettings keys at runtime |
dconf-editor | Browse all GSettings keys graphically |
xdpyinfo / xwininfo | Inspect X display and window properties |
gitg / gitk | Graphical git history browser |
meld | Visual diff and merge tool |
bear | Wraps make to produce compile_commands.json for clangd |
Virtual machine workflow
Working inside a VM keeps your main system clean and lets you snapshot before risky operations:
- Install a MATE distribution iinside VirtManager, GNOME Boxes or VirtualBox.
- Use shared folders or
sshfsto edit files from your host editor. - Do all builds and
sudo make installinside the VM. - Snapshot before installing — reset if anything breaks.
Last updated on • mbkma