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Installing Applications

On Nyarch Linux you can install an application in multiple ways, that are called "Packaging Formats". This page explains the differences between the packages format and how to install and manage them.

Supported packages:

  1. Arch Linux Packages (pacman, .tar.zst)
  2. Flatpaks (Store, .flatpakref, .flatpak)
  3. AppImages (.appimage)
  4. Arch User Repository (yay, nyay)

Arch Linux Packages

(Almost) Every Linux distribution has a package manager: it helps you to install, remove and update packages on your computer.

On Arch Linux, the package manager is pacman.

Because of multiple reasons, pacman is supposed to be only used via terminal and with admin privileges.

Here is some basic usage for pacman, if you want more detailed instructions, check pacman on the Arch Wiki

How to install a package

sudo pacman -S package

For example, to install firefox, you can type

sudo pacman -S firefox

How to remove a package

sudo pacman -R package

In case you also want to remove its dependencies, you can use -Rns.

How to update every package

sudo pacman -Syu

How to search for a package

sudo pacman -Ss package

Flatpaks

Flatpak is a special packaging format that allows you to install applications in a sandboxed envirnomnet.

This means you can easily manage what permissions an application has, like you do on smartphones.

Flatpaks have some pros and cons: - Pros: - They work on every Linux distribution - You can control their permissions - Easy to install through the store - You can install applications without admin rights - Cons: - They take more disk space compared to native pacakges - They are sometimes problematic with some software that is not made to run inside a sandbox - Use for terminal programs often require doing some extra steps

When should I install a flatpak?

  • When the software is supposed to be primarly run as Flatpak (for example Bottles)
  • When you are installing a software that you don't trust (you can control its permissions)
  • Whent it's a GTK/Gnome application (because Nyarch ships their runtimes and they install fast)
  • When the software does not run in the terminal

Installing a Flatpak

Gnome Software

You can use Gnome Software to find, install, uninstall and update flatpak applications.

immagine immagine

From Flathub

You can find flatpaks on Flathub. Installing an application from there makes your browser download a .flatpakref file, clicking it opens the application on Gnome Software

Note: every application on flathub is also in Gnome Software

Command Line

flatpak install application.id

For example, to install firefox via Flatpak

flatpak install org.mozilla.firefox

With command line, you can also install .flatpak files.

To do that, you can just run

flatpak install file.flatpak

Also, duble clicking on .flatpak file opens Gnome Software to install it.

Managing Flatpak permissions

You can manage flatpak permissions using Flatseal.

Appimages

Appimages are a special format that can be run on every linux distribution. - Pros: - They work on every Linux distribution - Cons: - They do not share libraries with other applications - They are generally slower - Often they don't support theming

It is generally not suggested to use appimages if there are other packaging formats available. Use appimages only if there is no alternative.

Installing and managing Appimages

After downloading an appimage, you can double click on it and it will launch GearLever.

GearLever is a simple software that helps you install and uninstall appimages. You can choose if run the appimage once without installing or add it to the app menu.

Running appimages from command line

You can also straight up run an appimage from the command line by: 1. Giving it the permission to be executed

chmod +x application.appimage
  1. Running it
./application.appimage

Arch User Repository

The AUR (Arch User Repository) is a big community-driven store for packages that aren't officially supported by Arch Linux. If an application exists, it's very likely that you will find it in the AUR.

Nyarch Linux is fully compatible with the AUR, since it uses defualt Arch Linux repositories.

Warning: The packages on the AUR are uploaded by users, so they might not be safe. It's suggested to always check if they are trustable from the packages builds.

Installing a package

To install an AUR package, you need an AUR Helper.

By default, Nyarch Linux ships yay as default AUR helper. (Or nyay because lol nya)

To install an AUR package, you can run

yay -S package

For example, 

yay -S zen-browser-bin

Updating packages

yay

Updates all the packages from the AUR

Guide to Package names

You might encounter multiple packages for the same program. This is an example for Vesktop: immagine

Based on the suffix:

  • -git: This package is built from the latest code in the Git repository. It might not be stable, but you'll get the latest features and updates. Also, it will compile the package

  • -bin: This package is a binary package, which means it's pre-compiled and ready to use. You don't need to build it from source

  • If there's no suffix, it usually means that the package is the "release" version. In other words, it's the latest stable version of the software, without any suffixes or prefixes.