WorkComposer on Linux Wayland: what works, and the X11 fallback

App and URL tracking on GNOME Wayland uses a helper that supports GNOME 45–50. The helper must be enabled before it can report which app or website is in focus. Your distribution name alone does not tell you whether its GNOME version is supported.

Screenshot capture uses a separate path. If WorkComposer asks you to share your screen, allow it. A working app-tracking helper does not by itself confirm that screenshots are working.

GNOME Wayland: check your version first

To check your GNOME version, run gnome-shell --version in a terminal. GNOME 42, for example, is outside the helper's supported range. Updating WorkComposer alone does not make an unsupported GNOME version compatible with the helper. Do not force-enable an extension marked incompatible.

On GNOME 45–50, install the latest WorkComposer. WorkComposer sets up its helper automatically. If it asks you to log out and back in to activate the helper, save your work and do that once; restarting only WorkComposer is not the same as ending your desktop session. If setup or app and URL tracking still fails, contact support rather than repeating updates or restarts.

Try an X11 (Xorg) session if app and URL tracking is unavailable

An X11 session is a fallback when your GNOME version is outside the helper's supported range, or app and URL tracking is unavailable on your Wayland desktop. This applies to GNOME as well as other desktops if they offer an X11 session. Switching sessions is not a guaranteed screenshot fix; if screenshots remain missing, contact support with your distribution, desktop version and the approximate test time.

Save any open work, then log out. At the login screen, select your username and the gear icon near the password field. Choose an entry explicitly labelled X11 or Xorg, such as Ubuntu on Xorg, GNOME on Xorg or Plasma (X11). Log in and open WorkComposer again.

I do not see an X11 option

Some installations do not offer an X11 session. Do not change your operating system or force-enable an incompatible helper just to follow this guide. Contact support with your Linux distribution and desktop version so we can help check the available options.

How does the GNOME helper relate to screenshots?

The GNOME helper reports which application or browser tab has focus for app and URL tracking. Screenshot capture uses a separate path; a screen-sharing prompt may not appear on every setup. An incompatible helper warning and missing screenshots can occur together, but the warning alone does not establish why screenshot capture failed.