Power Saver for Framework Laptop 13 (Ubuntu 24.04+)

A small, open-source Python tool that applies consistent power-saving settings to the GNOME desktop environment on Ubuntu Linux 24.04, designed specifically for the Framework Laptop 13.

The project is split into two independent parts:

1. Back-End (CLI / Service)

   • Applies and reports GNOME/system power settings
   • Contains all power-management logic
   • Runs as a standalone script or as a login-time service
   • No GUI dependencies

2. Front-End (GUI)

   • Simple Tkinter or GTK interface
   • Only calls the back-end
   • Never modifies system settings directly

This separation keeps the core logic testable, predictable, and easy to automate.

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Features (Planned and In Progress)

Back-End

• Read current GNOME power-related settings
• Apply a predefined “Power Saving” profile
• Clear logging of all changes
• Idempotent operation (safe to run repeatedly)
• Optional autostart at session login

Front-End GUI

• Lightweight interface (Tkinter or GTK)
• Shows active profile or status
• Lets users apply profiles with one click
• Pure wrapper around the back-end

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Why This Exists

Ubuntu GNOME provides many power-related settings, but they are spread across:

• gsettings
• power-profiles-daemon
• GNOME session settings
• Display and suspend timeouts

This project consolidates a reasonable, laptop-focused power-saving configuration into one tool that can be run on demand or automatically at login.

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Project Structure (Draft)

.
├── backend/
│   ├── cli.py         # Command-line interface
│   ├── core.py        # Logic for reading/applying settings
│   └── profiles.py    # Definitions of power-saving profiles
├── frontend/
│   └── gui.py         # Tkinter or GTK front-end
├── tests/
├── LICENSE
└── README.md

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Target System

• Hardware: Framework Laptop 13
• OS: Ubuntu Linux (LTS recommended)
• Desktop: GNOME (Wayland or Xorg)
• User permissions: Regular user; only use sudo when absolutely required

The tool should also work on other GNOME-based systems, but Framework 13 on Ubuntu is the reference configuration.

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Development Guidelines

This project follows several principles:

• Clean, concise Python (PEP8)
• Small, understandable modules
• No unnecessary dependencies
• Back-end remains GUI-independent
• GUI remains logic-free
• All changes are explained and double-checked before implementation

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License

Released under the GNU GPLv3.
See LICENSE for details.

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Status

The project is in early design and implementation stages.
Back-end CLI design is the first focus before GUI development.

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Quick Examples (Display Refresh)

• List available refresh modes for the built-in/primary display:
  python3 backend/apply_refresh_profile.py --list
• List for a specific connector (e.g., laptop panel):
  python3 backend/apply_refresh_profile.py --list --connector eDP-1
• Apply minimum refresh profile:
  python3 backend/apply_refresh_profile.py min
• Apply maximum refresh profile on a specific connector:
  python3 backend/apply_refresh_profile.py max --connector eDP-1
• Apply max with a ceiling (e.g., cap at 96 Hz):
  python3 backend/apply_refresh_profile.py max --connector eDP-1 --max-cap 96
• By default min/max apply to all connected displays; use --connector to limit to one.
• Apply an exact mode id:
  python3 backend/apply_refresh_profile.py --mode-id [email protected] --connector eDP-1
• Reapply current modes without changing selections (useful to nudge Mutter):
  python3 backend/apply_refresh_profile.py --reapply-current
• Profiles also set GNOME animations: min disables them; max enables them.
• Profiles can enable/disable extensions (e.g., min disables, max enables [email protected] by default).

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Contributing

Contributions and suggestions are welcome once the initial architecture is in place.
Please open issues for discussions or proposed improvements.