Tray Icon
SysTray-X adds a system tray extension to Thunderbird and requires both the add-on and companion app.
About Tray Icon
SysTray-X is a system tray extension for Thunderbird that uses WebExtension APIs to control an external system tray application. It requires both the add-on and the companion app to be installed to work. It can display unread or new mail counts, use a custom new mail icon with optional indicator, show or hide the Thunderbird window, minimize on startup or close, and start a new message.
It does not work with Thunderbird flatpaks or snaps because they do not allow native messaging hosts outside the packages. Use on Wayland requires a workaround, and the show/hide shortcut does not work in GNOME or Wayland.
Key features
- Display number of unread or new mails
- Use custom new mail icon
- Show optional new mail indicator by icon or shading
- Show or hide Thunderbird window from tray
- Minimize on startup or on close
- Start a new message from tray
Best for: Thunderbird users who want to control the program from the system tray.
Good for
- Displays unread and new mail counts in the system tray
- Supports hiding minimized Thunderbird from taskbar, pager and switcher
- Code is available as open source
Watch out for
- Does not work with Thunderbird flatpaks or snaps
- Requires a workaround for Wayland, such as forcing X11
- Show/hide shortcut does not work in GNOME or Wayland
Tray Icon at a glance
- Category
- Productivity › Email Tools
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Tray Icon FAQ
What is required for SysTray-X to work?
Both the Thunderbird add-on and the companion system tray app must be installed.
Does SysTray-X work with Thunderbird flatpaks or snaps?
No. They do not allow native messaging hosts outside the packages.
Does the show/hide shortcut work everywhere?
No. The shortcut option does not work in GNOME or Wayland.
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