Continuing Part 1, this article discusses how to use Flatpak from command lines instead of GUI. You will find here first how to search a Flatpak, then how to install and remove it. This includes installing from a Flatpakref URL, and adding new repo. This second part is indeed short and easy. Enjoy your exploration!
Concepts
In pure user point-of-view, using flatpak command is just like using apt-get. Plain and simple. But the repo is different, the package naming system is different, and Flatpak has some innovative features like .flatpakrepo and .flatpakref. Before you proceed further, knowing these are better.
To sum it up, here's Flatpak commands which are similar to apt-get's:
- Searching: flatpak search [keyword]
- Installing: flatpak install [app_name]
- Removing: flatpak uninstall [app_name]
- Update individual app: flatpak update [app_name]
- Listing installed app: flatpak list
- Be verbose: flatpak --verbose install
1. Searching
The important part of flatpak-ing is searching. Why? Because the "Application ID" or the package naming system is very different to the traditional apt-get's one. In other words, you will deal with names like org.website.AppName (not simply appname) for installing, running, removing, and upgrading. So, to find a Flatpak apps:
$ flatpak search image editor
$ flatpak search office
$ flatpak search games
$ flatpak search player
 |
| See the left column? All there are app names |
2. Adding New Repository
You may find a .flatpakrepo URL like https://web.site/address.flatpakrepo. Then to add this new repository to your system, the command should be:
$ flatpak remote-add reponame https://web.site/repoaddress.flatpakrepoWhere:
- reponame you can choose your own.
 |
| Adding new repository and giving your admin password |
3. Installing App from Flatpakref URL
You may find a Flatpak special URL like this https://web.site/org.program.GreatApp.flatpakref. That is a Flatpakref URL. To install Flatpak app from that URL then:
$ flatpak install https://web.site/org.program.GreatApp.flatpakref
4. Installing with Flatpak Package Name
Copy the Application ID you find by search. For example, Flowblade Video Editor has name io.github.jliljebl.Flowblade. Then install it like this:
$ flatpak install -v flathub io.github.jliljebl.Flowblade
5. Updating a Flatpak App
Again, use the Application ID for updating individual app like this:
$ flatpak install -v io.github.jliljebl.Flowblade
6. Removing a Flatpak App
Finally, copy the Application ID again, and paste it to your command. For example, to remove Flowblade installed previously:
$ flatpak uninstall -v io.github.jliljebl.Flowblade
That's all for now. In the next part I will talk about some more commands and interesting stuffs for LibreOffice Flatpak. Happy exploring!
This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.