How to Make KDE Panel Transparent?

KDE desktop takes quite an individualistic approach in its user interface design. As a result, even if some feature or a setting is not available by default, you may be able to make that customization indirectly. It is also the case when it comes to enabling transparent mode in the Taskbar panel in Plasma desktop. If you're looking for a way to make that happen, then this guide is for you.

What we're going to do is to first open the 'System Settings' window. From there we'll access KDE Window Manager settings and add a new entry so that you can make your taskbar panel(s) transparent.

1. So first press Alt + Space keys to open Krunner application launcher and type 'System Settings' into its search box. This will open up the System Settings window, as shown below.

2. Then from the left hand corner, navigate to: Window Management --> Window Rules.

3. Under Windows Rules window, from the right hand corner, click on the 'New' button. This will open another settings window. In that window under 'Description' type 'Panel Opacity' and towards its bottom section under 'Window types' select 'Dock (panel)'.

4. Now, from the tabs at the top of the settings window screen, choose 'Appearance & Fixes'. 

5. Then enable 'Active opacity' and 'Inactive opacity' settings and change their status from 'Do not affect' to 'Force' and set the desired opacity levels.

Once done, click the 'Ok' button and then click the Apply button at the bottom of the next screen's to finish things. If done correctly, it should be immediately applied, if not re-log into the desktop. That's pretty much it.