Plasma widgets, activities and window rules

In short: Plasma can be tuned precisely with widgets (small programs on desktop and panel), activities (work environments) and window rules.

In more detail: Right-click the desktop or a panel and choose “Edit mode”. There you add elements, move them or rebuild panels.

In detail

• Widgets: clock, weather, system monitor, notes, media playback. Installable from the store (“Get new widgets”).
• Panels: any number, top, bottom, side, floating, auto-hiding.
• Activities: own sets of wallpaper, widgets and open programs, for example “Work” and “Leisure”.
• Virtual desktops: several desktops, switch with Ctrl+F1 to F4, overview with Meta+W.
• Window rules: fixed size, position, desktop or “always on top” for each program (System Settings → Window Management).
• KWin scripts and effects: tiling, zoom, cube, magic lamp.
• Themes: global themes, colour schemes, icons, cursors, login screen.
• Backup: settings are in ~/.config and ~/.local/share.

See also: KDE Plasma, KDE (community and project)