Python allows you to send desktop notifications across different operating systems. This is useful for alerting users about important events, reminders, or background tasks.

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Why Use Desktop Notifications?

Alerts users about important events
Enhances productivity with reminders
Notifies task completion in automation scripts

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1. Using plyer for Simple Notifications

The plyer module provides a cross-platform API for notifications.

Installation:

pip install plyer

Example: Sending a Notification

from plyer import notification

notification.notify(
    title="Task Completed",
    message="Your automated script has finished execution.",
    timeout=5  # Notification disappears after 5 seconds
)

Now a notification appears on the desktop!

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2. Customizing Notifications

Adding an Icon

notification.notify(
    title="Reminder",
    message="Time to take a break!",
    app_icon="icon.ico",  # Path to icon file (Windows: .ico, Linux: .png)
    timeout=10
)

Now the notification includes an icon!

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3. Using win10toast for Persistent Notifications (Windows Only)

The win10toast module keeps the notification visible until dismissed.

Installation:

pip install win10toast

Example: Windows Toast Notification

from win10toast import ToastNotifier

toaster = ToastNotifier()
toaster.show_toast("Alert", "Your process has started!", duration=10)

Now a Windows notification remains visible until closed!

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4. Using notify-send (Linux Only)

On Linux, you can use the notify-send command via subprocess.

Example: Sending a Notification on Linux

import subprocess

subprocess.run(["notify-send", "Linux Alert", "Your script has finished running."])

Now a notification appears on Linux desktops!

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5. Scheduling Notifications

Use schedule to send notifications at specific intervals.

Example: Send a Notification Every Hour

import schedule
import time

def send_reminder():
    notification.notify(
        title="Hydration Reminder",
        message="Drink some water!",
        timeout=5
    )

# Schedule the task
schedule.every().hour.do(send_reminder)

while True:
    schedule.run_pending()
    time.sleep(60)

Now a reminder appears every hour!