The desktop environment that brings GNOME 2's beloved layout into the modern era - familiar workflow meets contemporary Linux technology, no compromises required.

Remember when desktop environments just worked without making you relearn everything? Cinnamon solves the classic Linux dilemma: choosing between a comfortable, traditional desktop layout and modern underlying technology. Built by the Linux Mint team, it delivers the GNOME 2 experience that millions loved, powered by a fork of GNOME Shell’s contemporary architecture.

What sets Cinnamon apart is its deliberate focus on user familiarity without sacrificing innovation. You get the traditional taskbar, system tray, and menu layout that feels instantly comfortable, while underneath runs modern Linux desktop technology with hardware acceleration, proper multi-monitor support, and extensibility through JavaScript-based extensions. It’s the anti-paradigm-shift desktop - evolution, not revolution.

With 5,259 stars and backing from Linux Mint (one of the most popular distros), Cinnamon has proven staying power in a landscape of constantly changing desktop experiments. If you’re building Linux systems for users who want productivity over novelty, or you’re tired of desktop environments that change everything every release, this is your toolkit for sanity.

⭐ Stars: 5259
💻 Language: JavaScript
🔗 Repository: linuxmint/cinnamon