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Using Flatpaks

Flatpaks let you install desktop applications on Linux without needing special administrator rights. They come with all the libraries they need and can run in a sandbox for extra safety.

What Are Flatpaks?​

  • Prepackaged Apps: All necessary libraries are included.
  • Sandboxing: Some apps run in isolation from the rest of your system.
  • Permissions: When installing, you will see the permissions the app needs. Only approve if you trust the app.

Set Up Flathub​

Flathub is the main source for Flatpak apps. To add it:

flatpak remote-add --user --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Searching for Apps​

You can find apps in two ways:

1. In the Terminal​

Search by name:

flatpak search <application name>

2. Online​

Visit the Flathub website and use the search bar.

Installing an App​

Once you know the Application ID (found from your search or on Flathub), install the app. For example, to install Slack:

flatpak install flathub com.slack.Slack

Updating Your Apps​

Keep your apps up to date by running:

flatpak update

Running an App​

After installation, you can start an app from your desktop menu or via the terminal. For example, to run Slack:

flatpak run com.slack.Slack

Uninstalling an App​

To remove an app, first list your installed Flatpaks:

flatpak list

Then remove the app using its Application ID:

flatpak remove <application ID>

This simple guide should help you get started with Flatpaks on your Linux system. Enjoy exploring new applications!