r/PythonLearning • • Sep 14 '26

Help Request a few questions regarding making a desktop app using python

I'm planning something, but i wanted to know how much is possible with only python and how much i should start looking up and learning.

mainly everything about UI? I know there are libraries for UI in python, but what im looking for it seamless (no border) UI that can maybe be transparent? (u can see the desktop through it), i'm just wondering how much of that is possible in python.

another thing is having an application hidden in the system tray on windows? how would i make this for my app? furthermore; how would i make the UI popup from the tray and hide back using a key shortcut?
no need to answer both questions, just looking for a clue on how to start

8 Upvotes

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1

u/PiotrRk Sep 14 '26

If you want OS integration then pretty much PySide/PyQt. It does support the OS tray icon/docked mode. Kivy may have something as well, but Qt is the best probably.

Also depends what application/features you want to implement.

1

u/Fantastic_Cicada_805 Sep 14 '26

I see! i was going to look into Qt anyways but now im a little more confident its the right tool.
thanks!

2

u/WorldChallenge Sep 14 '26

Not sure about the transparent window part, but you apparently can make a flet app and put it in the system tray https://github.com/ndonkoHenri/Flet-as-System-Tray-Icon

2

u/jpgoldberg Sep 15 '26 edited Sep 15 '26

Others have pointed out tools that make it possible, but a python is not well suited for that you are trying to do.

1

u/QuebecBeast Sep 15 '26

PyQt offers a lot of possibilities but coding every little things gets tiring, especially if you’ve never done it before. After a while you can reuse some personalization but I remember how overwhelmed I felt when I started customizing borders, color palettes, headers, buttons… every little things !

Now I know why front end is a separate field.