How can I change the Unity launcher delay?

For 11.04 (Natty):

The Unity delay is intentional (Ayatana-Design bug 754583) but can be changed.

First

You can change the edge delay of Compiz:
“General Options” → “General” → “Edge Trigger Delay”: set to 0.

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Second

You can change this delay and other settings.

• See How can I configure Unity?

At the end of the answer by Octavian Damiean you will find this:

Launcher & Menus (unity-preferences)

There is another option to configure how to show the launcher then it is hidden.

1. Open the Launcher & Menus configuration utility by pressing Alt + F2 and typing unity-preferences.

   

   • Pushes the left edge of the screen will make the launcher appear about one second after pushing the cursor to the left edge of the screen.

   • Touches the top left corner of the screen will make the launcher appear immediately when the cursor touches the top left corner of the screen.

2. Select the desired option.

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Third

This is a workaround for “absolute zero” delay.

1. We will need XDoTool and Compiz.

   You can install these from the Ubuntu Software Center or by clicking xdotool and Compiz .

2. Open Compiz (Alt + F2, type ccsm and hit Enter).

3. Go to Commands and add xdotool key super to one command.

   

4. Then go to Edge Bindings and choose “Left” for that command.

   

For 11.10 (Oneiric):

In Ubuntu 11.10 it is now possible to change the edge reveal time out using compizconfig-settings-manager .

To open it press Alt+F2,paste about:config and hit enter.*

Then change the Edge Reveal Timeout in the Behaviour/Behavior tab.

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* (You can also run ccsm from a launcher such as synapse or from the terminal).

12.04 & Unity

The Unity Launcher delay is now a System Setting - Appearance option:

From the Behaviour tab you have the option to switch-on autohiding of the Launcher and using the slidebar to control the responsiveness to the reveal of the launcher.

The higher the sensitivity the quicker the launcher will reveal.

12.04 & Unity-2D

The Unity-2D Launcher delay is now a System Setting - Appearance option:

From the Behaviour tab you have the option to switch-on autohiding of the Launcher and by clicking the Low/High buttons to control the responsiveness to the reveal of the launcher.