Phase 4: Desktop Environment

Phase 4: Desktop Environment

RHEL 9 ships with GNOME on Wayland. This is what you’ll use daily and what the exam environment looks like.

Verify Desktop

# Check display server
echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE
# Should show: wayland
# GNOME version
gnome-shell --version

Install Additional Fonts

sudo dnf install -y \
  google-noto-sans-fonts \
  google-noto-serif-fonts \
  google-noto-sans-mono-fonts \
  liberation-fonts \
  fontawesome-fonts

GNOME Extensions

sudo dnf install -y gnome-extensions-app gnome-tweaks

Terminal Configuration

GNOME Terminal is the default. Configure for daily use:

  • Font: Noto Sans Mono or your preferred Nerd Font

  • Color scheme: Dark (or Catppuccin if available)

  • Scrollback: 10000 lines

Display Configuration (SPICE)

For SPICE display auto-resize:

sudo dnf install -y spice-vdagent
sudo systemctl enable --now spice-vdagentd

Keyboard Shortcuts

Configure GNOME keyboard shortcuts for terminal:

  • Super + Return → Open terminal

  • Super + E → File manager

Via Settings → Keyboard → Custom Shortcuts.

Check Status

GNOME on Wayland verified

[ ]

Additional fonts installed

[ ]

GNOME Tweaks installed

[ ]

Terminal configured (font, colors, scrollback)

[ ]

SPICE agent installed (display auto-resize)

[ ]

Keyboard shortcuts configured

[ ]